Announcement

**Spearit** · 05-29-2005, 09:50 AM

From the Detroit Free Press
During part of Friday's practice at American Airlines Arena, Alonzo Mourning practiced at power forward with Michael Doleac at center.

There were two reasons for this: One, Shaquille O'Neal probably won't be practicing anytime soon because of a bruised right thigh. Two, the Heat likes playing Mourning, a true center, with O'Neal, and wanted Mourning to get more of a feel for playing power forward.

"He does have to make some adjustments," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "He doesn't get his comfort zone on the left side of the floor, he has to move to the right side, there's some of that he has to do. He has to guard more perimeter, but offensively we won't ask him to play on the perimeter."

The Heat has used the Mourning-O'Neal pairing for brief stretches in both games of the Eastern Conference finals, and the move has paid off in some areas; for example, Rasheed Wallace doesn't post up as much when he's in against Mourning, and the Pistons have a harder time getting into the paint with both Mourning and O'Neal on patrol.
( Pistons Points in the Paint is a hugh concern from the last two games)

"I see it as being beneficial because of our size and our pursuit of the basketball, and we're going to utilize it as a strength," Mourning said.

Mourning, who has been a center his entire career, is still adjusting to the new role.

"You've got to guard that three-point line," he said. "Instead of trapping against the screen-and-roll, and rolling towards the basket, I've got to veer off to the three-point line. It's just being in the right spots.

"We've got plays where I'm accustomed to playing five, and I think that's why it would have been beneficial for him to start playing us more together during the season. But at the same time, it's not that I can't adapt to it."

Van Gundy pointed out he couldn't have played them together during the regular season because Mourning wasn't signed until March 1, and it took a few weeks before the Heat grew comfortable with his play. Then O'Neal went down, first with a stomach virus, and then with the thigh bruise.

Mourning has said before that he wants to play with O'Neal; to this, Van Gundy replies: Who doesn't?

"I mean, poll the league, everybody wants to play with Shaq," Van Gundy said.

GAME 3 PLAN: While the Heat improved in Game 2 in rebounding and general execution, one area in particular needs work.

"We've still got to get a better handle on their post-up game," Van Gundy said.

Van Gundy liked how the Heat limited Detroit's perimeter players from posting up, and wants to see similar success against the big men. And while the Heat has done well protecting the paint, the Pistons have made 15 three-pointers.

On the whole, Van Gundy tried to give a sense that Miami is the underdog.

"Look, we're still behind the 8-ball in this series," he said. "It's 1-1 but they've got the home court, so we're the team that's fighting and scratching from behind at this point. We can't let a good game the other night obscure that. We have to have a tremendous amount of urgency on Sunday."

NOTEBOOK: In reference to watching film, Van Gundy was asked about Dwyane Wade's 40-point performance in Game 2. "I'm not really watching film to see how impressive Dwyane was," he replied. "That doesn't really give me many coaching points." ...

Van Gundy had a good take on how the Heat has limited Richard Hamilton to 15-for-43 shooting so far. "We haven't given him anything easy," Van Gundy said. "He's probably looking and saying that we haven't done anything, that he's just had a lot of shots he's missed. And both things are true. I know I'm certainly not smart enough to have a formula to stop Rip Hamilton, but we just want to take away his easy baskets and hope he doesn't have one of those great, great, great nights." ...

Asked why he wears No. 3, Wade called upon some higher reasons. "I picked it because it represented the Trinity -- the Father, Son and Holy Spirit," he said.
(Cool Reason)

My take is that Detroit was only 2 points down with a 1:10 to go - felt they needed to foul Miami instead of defensive pressure which Miami made. Then Miam grabbed the ball and made a dunk for a 6 point victory. Looks on paper like not the close game that it was. Detroit has Miami's number. It has played them well. The number concerns me a little but not when you take in the fact that we are back in Detroit now. Pistons

**Blackbeard** · 05-29-2005, 09:53 AM

GL Spearit!!!!!

**Kaptain** · 05-29-2005, 10:00 AM

GL on your big play Spearit---kapt

**ChuckLazar** · 05-29-2005, 10:11 AM

Good luck Bud, I like your reasoning!!I'll take a shot!

**Mike1** · 05-29-2005, 10:13 AM

GL on the play Spearit!

**Lsufan** · 05-29-2005, 11:52 AM

Good Luck Spearit!!

**RJeremy** · 05-29-2005, 12:37 PM

GL today Spear Chucker!!!

**frankb03** · 05-29-2005, 12:52 PM

gl buddy

**keawe** · 05-29-2005, 01:16 PM

Goodluck today Spear!!!!

**phantom** · 05-29-2005, 01:33 PM

good luck mr. spear!!

Announcement

My Stongest Play of the NBA Playoffs

My Stongest Play of the NBA Playoffs

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