Pacers’ starting lineup remained unchanged, while on the Heat Team side:
Point Guard: Damon Jones, two: Dwyane Wade, small forward: Eddie Jones, power forward: Haslem, five: Shaquille O’Neal;
Can you imagine that this is the lineup after Pat Riley let go of Caron Butler and Odom?
Pat Riley, as a general manager, had two very noticeable characteristics:
First, he was especially good at "getting something for nothing," a trick from his old employers, which he had mastered before he left;
Second, he was particularly adept at accumulating chips;
His vision was not only about "changing small change for big bills", he also knew how to surround "two big bills" with "small change."
Whether it was the acquisition of Shaquille O’Neal this time or subsequently putting together role players for the "Peak Three Giants," these two points were clearly evident.
Especially during the "Heat Big Three" era, using the limited salary space, he unexpectedly brought in "super role players" like Mike Miller, Battier, and Ray Allen.
This Heat Team too had fully functional role players besides Wade and Shaquille O’Neal.
Damon Jones had three-point capabilities, and his height at point guard was not a disadvantage;
Eddie Jones was Shaquille O’Neal’s old teammate, and the two had collaborated at the Lakers.
At that time, Jones was a starter for the Lakers, and his backup was none other than that "snake".
As a forward, Eddie Jones was on the shorter side but he had defensive abilities, having been selected for the "Best Defensive Lineup" for three consecutive years, and also possessed precise three-point shooting.
Haslem’s main role in this lineup was to play aggressive defense and space the floor with mid-range shots;
From the description alone, you can tell this was a standard "Two-stars and three-shooters lineup".
Dwyane Wade, reaching his peak, and Shaquille O’Neal, who was at the tail end of his peak, had ample space in this lineup, "like a fish in water", making them extremely powerful.
It was also a robust lineup that allowed the Heat Team media to confidently proclaim "Heat Champions".
The first possession belonged to the Pacers.
Su Wan faced Wade on the wing and his tentative attempt to break free was ineffective.
Wade’s strength, weight class, confrontational and explosive power, were all top-notch at the two spot, as the media later described him "a 5cm shorter Jordan", if God had lent him that 5cm, even LeBron releasing eight soldiers would have been futile.
No, wait, those 5cm weren’t even necessary, just a pair of intact menisci would do!
Su Wan felt somewhat suppressed in the challenge and decisively called for a pick from little O’Neal.
Circling around the screen, Su Wan prepared to complete a mid-range shot from his familiar "Free throw line sweet spot," only to discover Haslem was already waiting there.
Bill Walton observed this scene: "The Heat Team’s coaching staff has clearly studied Su’s playing style and habits thoroughly... and this is the ’Superstar’ treatment Su Wan must endure after playing a phenomenal game!"
Su Wan wasn’t in a hurry, instead, he pulled back, aiming to play Haslem one-on-one.
Seeing this, Wade prepared to switch back with Haslem.
Catching a glimpse of the rushing Wade, Su Wan quickly passed the ball to the unguarded little O’Neal.
Open mid-range, little O’Neal successfully scored.
The timely pass and Su Wan’s field of view had nothing to do with it, this was more about on-court thinking ability.
Since Haslem was standing in front of him, and his peripheral vision caught Wade running towards him, it meant that little O’Neal must be open; all he had to do was find little O’Neal and pass him the ball.
"Cold" thinking under "the zone" mode gradually became his experience, and even without being in "the zone" mode, he could still play with this mindset.
However, he couldn’t always maintain a machine-like calm, so his on-court decision-making still wasn’t as good as when he was in "the zone" mode.
But opportunities like catching the opponent in a mismatch and timing passes to teammates, he could now easily grasp.
"Nice!" Little O’Neal pointed out Su Wan as he returned to defense.
It was the Heat Team’s turn to attack, and the stadium erupted with cheers.
Compared to the Detroit people in Auburn Palace, Miami People weren’t as hostile towards their rivals, the initial boos felt more like a formality.
Perhaps it’s because the Heat Team fans all know that Su Wan and Wade have a good relationship.
But still, their support for Wade is real.
The home game entrance ceremony, the cheers filled the entire American Airlines Arena, almost catching up to the "soundwave tornado" Su Wan caused in Indiana.
Indeed, who wouldn’t like a newcomer who played with such ferocity and yet was modest?—The "flamboyancy" of the current Wade hadn’t yet surfaced.
Su Wan set up his defensive stance, and then he learned what "Flash" truly meant!
Quick, fierce, and heavy first step, Su Wan barely kept up with his speed, but his quick reaction with cross-step movement simply couldn’t intercept.
"Wham!"
Wade, having gained position, clashed with Su Wan, and after continuous confrontation, Su Wan gradually couldn’t keep up with his speed. Wade charged into the paint for a massive slam dunk.
Is this Dwyane Wade at his peak?
Indeed, it could be.
Su Wan had to admit, before this, on the guard line, the players he encountered who could completely evade his personal defense ability totaled three:
Kobe, Arenas, and Allen Iverson.