1.  I know Ellis is somewhat of a black hole 

2. I know he's not a great defender and can't be a playmaker like Wade (EVER!)

But I think with Wade's diminished abilities, Monta Ellis' potential can be greater than Wade's low-point.  Playing alongside LeBron and being surrounded with great teammates and a Riley/Spoelstra system, I think he can replace Wade as one of the BIG THREE.  He can score almost as well as Wade.  His defense can be improved if Riley, Bron & Spoelstra can challenge him.

I've always hated him as a player, but have respected his ability to score at will.  He'd be a great player playing next to LeBron.  His ability to penetrate is one of the best in the league, and since the team is surrounded with shooters to compliment Bron & Wade these past years, I think Ellis would excel under these circumstances.

(Photo Credit: Andrew Bernstein)

The Miami HEAT host the San Antonio Spurs for Game 6 of the NBA Finals tonight. The Spurs lead the series 3-2 after a 114-104 victory over the HEAT in Game 5. Tip off is set for 9 PM.

1: What do the HEAT need to do to keep Manu Ginobili from putting up another 24 points and 10 assists?

Couper Moorhead: To prevent the assists from happening the HEAT just need to play smarter, more consistent defense. The energy was there, unlike in Game 3, but it was often misused as HEAT players were often out of position to play help defense, allowing Ginobili the space and opportunity to be the crafty playmaker that he is. As for his scoring, he hit some tough, tough shots that the HEAT could probably live with if he wants to take again. It was an incredible performance that resonated throughout that San Antonio building, but the HEAT’s defense wasn’t exploited for any particular major or long-term weakness. 
 

Danny Martinez: The biggest thing the HEAT need to do it prevent Ginobili from scoring and creating. I think they’d live with one or the other, but letting him shine in both facets spells doom. In Game 5, as Couper said, Ginobili hit a bunch of really tough shots. It’s not that he can’t make those shots again, it’s just that they’re low percentage and will be difficult to repeat. As for his playmaking, Ginobili had shown it in spurts this series but Game 5 was a different animal. He was finding open Spurs all over the floor, dicing the HEAT up with an array of beautiful passes. The HEAT need to get back to playing solid defense without getting out of position. Too often in Game 5, HEAT defenders ended up out of position. The Spurs offense is so good that that is bound to happen, but it’s important to limit those occurrences.

2: Do you think either team will be changing their starting lineup again, or making any other major adjustments?

Couper: We’re at that point where any changes are likely to be relatively minor. Ginobili clearly worked out as a starter for the Spurs, and while Mike Miller hasn’t been able to get any shots off once he became a starter he has still provided the spacing that the move was intended to create. If a change needs to be made, either coach will likely do it by tinkering with minute totals and the lineups behind the starters.

As for adjusting the other parts of their game? The HEAT just need to do what they do harder, better and smarter. There’s no room for missed rotations and stagnant offense in an elimination game. 
 

Danny: I don’t think we see any changes in the starting lineups. Inserting Mike Miller into the starting lineup wasn’t about Miller as much as it was about spacing the floor for Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh. So far, it’s worked. Minute totals might be messed with some, but for the most part I think we’ll see the same HEAT rotation. Shane Battier might play a little more, but that doesn’t really change the HEAT’s single big philosophy. As for any major adjustments, I don’t think we see any. The HEAT got the shots they wanted in Game 5 and just couldn’t convert. Defensively, the energy was there in spurts and was able to force tough shots, but the Spurs just couldn’t, wouldn’t miss. Should the defensive intensity be dialed up a touch, the HEAT should be fine.

3: If Miami doesn’t want its season to end tonight, what has to happen?

Couper: They will have to play their best game of the season to date, and have a little mathematical fortune fall in their favor. By almost any measure of unsustainable offense – short shot clock, contested shots, isolation offense for the Spurs while Miami couldn’t make shots around the rim – the Spurs were the beneficiaries in Game 5. It’s entirely possible that if you give each team the same shot opportunities in Game 6, the HEAT prevail.

To that point, the HEAT simply need to keep coming. No team this season held off as many full formed HEAT runs as the Spurs did in Game 5, and every time Miami got close they dealt with bouts of stagnancy while the Spurs hit floaters and contested threes (while missing plenty of open shots). You’re probably tired of hearing about identity at this point, but the best way to limit regrets is to play your game as best as you possibly can – and let the shots fall where they may.

Danny: The easiest answer is that the HEAT’s “Omega Swarm” defense, as coined by Couper, needs to return. When the HEAT have played their best defense, no team has been able to match them. In its best performances, the defense has taken a couple of quarters to get going before smothering teams in the third and fourth quarters. Upping that urgency a little bit can help. The HEAT have found themselves in a lot of holes early in games and avoiding such holes will make things easier for everyone involved on the HEAT side. Offensively, the HEAT need to continue to pound their areas of efficiency. Shots at the rim, from three or Chris Bosh jumpers from the midrange are all welcome in heavy doses. For the most part, those shots were there in Game 5 and the HEAT just missed. This is where sticking to the process, as the HEAT always do, comes in handy. They won’t stray from the system and structure that got them good shots in Game 5.

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Questions for the 2 guaranteed $15 Amazon gift cards:

Who wins?

Which team will make the first free throw?

I say beast mode game 6!!

Ref Lineup for the game

Joe Crawford

Mike Callahan

Ken Mauer

Marc Davis

May the Guidance of the lead ref guide our pitiful team to victory