Owner Real Deal Posted April 1, 2011 Owner Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2011/0401/nba_g_bibby2_sy_576.jpg 15 points. When point guard Mike Bibby has been on the floor for the Heat, Miami's defense has surrendered 15 points per 100 possessions more than when he has sat on the bench. (We use per 100 possessions as the standard to control for potential tempo effects). That sounds bad, but how damaging is that? Consider this: the difference between the league's top defense (Chicago) and the league's worst defense (Cleveland) is 12.5 points per 100 possessions. Do the math, and you find that Bibby's defensive impact has been about three points wider than that. A few weeks ago when the Heat inked Bibby to a contract, I penned a somewhat tongue-and-cheek post about his notoriously bad defense. Within that post, I asked the following question: When Bibby takes the floor, can Erik Spoelstra say with a straight face that the team's identity begins and ends with defense? The answer so far has been a resounding "no." If you've paid close attention lately, you've noticed Spoelstra openly searching for answers. Following the Heat's embarrassing loss against the Cavaliers on Wednesday when the Heat allowed the league's worst offense to drop 102 points on them, Spoelstra admitted to the media, "We're a little confused what our identity is." From day one, Spoelstra has emphasized that the Heat's identity needs to come on the defensive end. For all the fireworks on offense, the Heat won't reach their goals without suffocating their opponents on the other side of the floor. That's where championship teams distinguish themselves from the rest of the playoff field. More here: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/miamiheat/post/_/id/5731/by-gaining-mike-bibby-heat-lose-identity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owner Real Deal Posted April 1, 2011 Author Owner Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 Of course, we already knew Bibby was a bad defensive player, but having a PG that can't defend anyone or anything means he has to rely on some sort of an anchor, or any kind of help, and it's just not getting done. There is no Howard in the frontcourt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro Posted April 1, 2011 Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 He's still better than Arroyo on that end of the floor, and lightyears better offensively than Chalmers. Huge upgrade. Also, since Bibby joined the Heat, they've given up 100pts only 5x out of 15 games, with the Heat replacing a huge chunk of Chalmers' minutes with House for 3 of those 100pt+ games, which is a recipe for defensive struggle. They'll be fine, although getting Haslem back for some of the post-season would be a huge boost. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owner Real Deal Posted April 1, 2011 Author Owner Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 He's still better than Arroyo on that end of the floor, and lightyears better offensively than Chalmers. Huge upgrade. Also, since Bibby joined the Heat, they've given up 100pts only 5x out of 15 games, with the Heat replacing a huge chunk of Chalmers' minutes with House for 3 of those 100pt+ games, which is a recipe for defensive struggle. They'll be fine, although getting Haslem back for some of the post-season would be a huge boost.The one thing I see that's good about Bibby is that he's hot from three. Arroyo hit a lot of 15-footers, but he didn't exactly stretch the floor, and he didn't have that one thing he did really, really well. Bibby is probably one of the best three-point shooters in the league at his position (not going to look at percentages, but I'm sure they are close to agreeing with me). Back in Sactown, Bibby choked in the postseason. Can't really recall how well he did with Atlanta, but I'm assuming a little better because of a lesser role on offense. We'll see how it works out this time around. And yes, Haslem should have a red carpet pulled out for him in his return. The Heat need him badly. I think you could make an argument that he would be their best defensive player, and obviously their best defensive big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro Posted April 1, 2011 Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 The one thing I see that's good about Bibby is that he's hot from three. Arroyo hit a lot of 15-footers, but he didn't exactly stretch the floor, and he didn't have that one thing he did really, really well. Bibby is probably one of the best three-point shooters in the league at his position (not going to look at percentages, but I'm sure they are close to agreeing with me). Besides being a great 3pt shooter, he is a smart veteran who plays at a steady pace, does some of the important things that go unnoticed and can help run the offense. As you said, Arroyo didn't stretch the floor, wouldn't take a jumper unless there was no one within 20ft of him, and he played too slow and careful. Chalmers is too inconsistent, makes too many dumb, avoidable mistakes, and he's not a great 3pt shooter. Bibby is a great compliment to James/Wade/Bosh. And yes, Haslem should have a red carpet pulled out for him in his return. The Heat need him badly. I think you could make an argument that he would be their best defensive player, and obviously their best defensive big. Wade and LeBron are both better defenders than Haslem, but he will be a major upgrade over Howard, and he'll be able to play spot minutes at C when the Heat are able to play small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owner Real Deal Posted April 1, 2011 Author Owner Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 Wade and Bron are better help, but I'm not sure if they are better on-ball defenders. I'll give the thumbs up to Wade, I suppose. Bron doesn't do it for me. And yeah, sad to say it, but Chalmers' only contributions come on the defensive end, and he's not a stellar defender to begin with. I figured he would be an excellent spot-up shooter from long range, but he still seems lost on the offensive end of the court...not really sure why. He can't really create for anyone, not in the pros. I think he just has to accept a particular role on offense, go in the gym and in practices, and work harder than ever in that one area. I'm interested to see how the Heat play Boston...if Bibby will be on Rondo. I'm not sure he can tail Ray all game long, and he'd probably find himself on his back from all the screens he'll hit. If he doesn't give Rondo space to shoot, Rajon will be at the rim, and that's where Haslem will be needed the most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitro Posted April 1, 2011 Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 Wade and Bron are better help, but I'm not sure if they are better on-ball defenders. I'll give the thumbs up to Wade, I suppose. Bron doesn't do it for me. The thing about Haslem is he isn't a great post defender. He's good, but he's much better on big men who can stretch the floor like Dirk, KG, etc... And honestly I feel that LeBron is as good, if not better than Wade at on-ball defense. He's very underrated defensively by people who think all he does is those chase-down blocks. He is very smart, and locks down most SF's. Because Wade likes to help so much, there are a few players with quick releases or are great at moving off-ball that torch him (Gordon, Crawford, Allen, etc...). LeBron is more disciplined in this regard, and doesn't make as many fatal mistakes as Wade does while defending his man. Against iso players like Kobe or $JJ, Wade is the better defender. I'm interested to see how the Heat play Boston...if Bibby will be on Rondo. I'm not sure he can tail Ray all game long, and he'd probably find himself on his back from all the screens he'll hit. If he doesn't give Rondo space to shoot, Rajon will be at the rim, and that's where Haslem will be needed the most. I'd personally put Bibby on Allen. Wade always has a hard time with guys like him, so they'll probably have a better chance at slowing down the backcourt with that cross matchup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Posted April 1, 2011 Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 (edited) To be fair to Mario, his offense is so improved this season and its because we aren't asking him to do too much. His chemistry with LBJ is also big for us as well. Can't wait till he comes back. Bibby has been awesome so far though. Our probler\m lately has just been lack of effort on the boards. I think it'll change one Haslem comes back and once the playoffs start. Edited April 1, 2011 by Charlie Sheen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren2ThaG Posted April 1, 2011 Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 Where is Brevin Knight when u need him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
?QuestionMark? Posted April 2, 2011 Report Share Posted April 2, 2011 Not surprising. The guy was never a good defender. Add age and even less lateral speed and it's doom. A wet spot on the floor plays better defense than Bibby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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