New Post at Hickory High on Lebron in Transition

Go check it out!

In the videos below from Game 7 vs Boston, Miami doesn’t have a numbers advantage, but we see Lebron attacking before Boston’s defense gets set. In this first clip, Lebron pushes the ball up the floor after a rebound.  Watch Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce on the play.  When Lebron starts his move to the hoop, neither player is prepared to help, as they are still tracking their men. Lebron ends up getting the basket and the foul because Pierce is a split second late getting into the lane.

New Post at Hickory High on Miami’s Small Ball Lineup

Go check out how putting Lebron at center gets open shots for everyone.

On this first play Lebron and Wade execute a dribble handoff, which acts similarly to a pick-and-roll. The Celtics switch assignments and Mickael Pietrus follows Lebron as he rolls to the hoop. Lebron’s roll attracts KG’s attention, but that leaves the Celtics shorthanded on the weak side of the floor. When Shane Battier sets a screen for Mike Miller, nobody is left to help out, and Miller gets a wide open three.

First Round Series Previews at Hickory High

There’s a ton of great NBA Playoff info at Hickory High.  Video and statistical previews abound.  You’ll get more great tidbits there than anywhere else.  Go check it out:

East

Chicago Bulls vs Philadelphia 76ers

Miami Heat vs New York Knicks

Indiana Pacers vs Orlando Magic

Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics

West

San Antonio Spurs vs Utah Jazz

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks

Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets

Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Clippers

New Post at Hickory High Breaking Down the Heat-Knicks 4th Quarter

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After the Chandler three-second violation, the Heat went to Lebron in isolation. As Lebron goes through his series of jab steps, Chandler is jumping in and out of the lane. He’s ready to help on a drive and also avoiding a defensive three-second violation. With all of the focus on Lebron, Chandler and Iman Shumpert confuse their rebounding assignments. Both Chandler and Shumpert go to box out Wade under the basket, while Joel Anthony finds himself wide open for an easy putback.

Head over to Hickory-High.com to see more.

The Indiana Pacers Show Patience in Beating the Miami Heat

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Against the Miami Heat’s aggressive defensive rotations, offenses must be patient and precise when they find themselves with what seems like an advantage.  With the shot clock running down, Heat opponents can end up forcing semi-contested shots when a better shot is only a pass away.  On Monday night, the Indiana Pacers showed the patience and unselfishness required to beat Miami’s rotating defense.  Let’s take a look at a couple examples.

Lebron James Answers His Critics (With Help from Chris Bosh)

(Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

After passing up game-closing shots in the All-Star Game and against the Jazz, Lebron James made big plays on both offense and defense to force overtime versus the Pacers.  Let’s take a look at how the final two plays of regulation were so successful for Lebron.

Lebron James Fuels His Critics in a Heat Loss

(AP photo/George Frey)

After a big comeback, led by Lebron James’ 17 fourth quarter points, the Miami Heat had an opportunity to steal a road game against the Utah Jazz. The Heat had the ball out of bounds and wanted to give Lebron the chance to win it. Let’s take a look at what went down in a game that’s sure to ignite the Lebron critics.