NBA – Miami Heat and their defensive deficiencies

Rajon Rondo has not always been the easiest kid on the block to work with. He is known for having quite a temper, and at some extent, even having some issues with maturity. But the kid can play. He is currently the best point-guard in the nation, and if there is some argument about this, you should consider the sort of game he put on together against the Miami Heat last Thursday.

Rondo completed 16 assists against the new Big Three: LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. And that is when it becomes very evident that the Miami Heat are certainly struggling on their defensive end. The Miami Heat tried a variety of defensive maneuvers to try to keep Rondo from distributing precise plays throughout the game. They even took the job to put 260-pound LeBron James to guard him closely. And even then, that didn’t work.

Sure, LeBron like Kobe Bryant, are capable of getting Rondo on serious trouble, because of their very impressive wingspan. They are both taller and stronger compared to the fast paced point guard. But, Rondo is got one advantage. Specially when playing against the Heat. Sure, LeBron could turn things around and complicate Rondo’s game, but then, who is going to cover Ray Allen or Paul Pierce.

And that’s when the real struggle begins. The heat has to come to an understanding on this simple issue. They don’t have a solid defense. The team is far from it. They have struggled with the past 3 teams when it comes to covering the paint. The Jazz and the Hornets have put over 50 points each on the paint. And sure, even if they covered the Celtics, and kept them on the low 30’s from the paint, the Heat couldn’t control Allen and Pierce from the perimeter.

The new Big Three are in need of a change in perspective.  At 5-4 they are in need of a serious overhaul, or at least figure out how to stop been a team filled with 3 NBA superstars, and become a team capable of winning the championship.