I read where the TWolves wanted to trade a package of Williams, Pekovic and parts and a pick to LA for Gasol. Now, I can see where LA wouldn't want Pekovic since they have Howard but if ever the C's could get in on a three way there where
LA gets Williams, Bass, parts from Minny and a pick from Boston and Minnesota
Minny gets Gasol
Boston gets Pekovic
I would be all for that.
Boston could start Pekovic alongside KG at the 4 with Pierce, Bradley and Rondo and still have Wilcox, Sully, Green, Jet, Lee and Barbosa coming off the bench.
If one of those other three left and Pekovic came back ...
A Pekovic, Garnett and Bass big man rotation would be a nice group. With a fourth big thrown in depending on matchups. Size with Collins. Speed with Wilcox. Or big picture with Sully (developmental playing time).
Barbosa could take over for Terry if necessary. If Lee or Green went, then the other who remains would have to take more of a role backing up the wing but they are both up to that job.
There is no way Pekovic could play effective individual or team defense against Miami's small ball lineup. He is too slow to defend Bosh or even to play effective defense on a stand still perimeter shooter.
But nobody on Miami's roster could defend Pekovic in the paint either. Too strong. One of the most physically imposing players in the league. Bosh can't cover Pekovic. Neither could Haslem. Or Joel Anthony.
LeBron James is probably their best bet but that would be a very uncomfortable matchup for LeBron and one that he has a lack of experience with (he could get a lot better at it with more opportunities to learn). Dexter Pittman isn't ready for prime time but is their only non-LeBron option.
If Miami were smart, they'd stay small and try to out-gun Boston ... since they have no quality defensive options at their disposal anyway. No point in sacrificing that offensive firepower without more of an increase defensively.
Not sure Spoelstra is that smart though. I think he's much more likely to go big and to try and matchup against Boston.
C: J.Anthony vs Pekovic
PF: Bosh vs Garnett
SF: LeBron vs Pierce
SG: Wade vs Bradley
PG: Chalmers vs Rondo
So Miami would be playing a very weak offensive player at center + two slashers on the wing + playing Bosh at PF alongside two slashers and a non-entity offensively at center leaving little space for him to operate + which would make Chalmers their sole legitimate three point threat. Spacing would be a major problem.
Kevin Garnett can not only hold Bosh down but is capable of outplaying him at PF due to the decrease in Bosh's performance level in that type of lineup configuration. Avery Bradley can hopefully handle Wade. There certainly have been promising signs.
I think Boston has advantages in the paint with their two bigs vs Miami's and with their PG. Miami has advantages on the wing but with their dodgy spacing offensively, I think Boston can handle them well enough to beat Miami in a series.
PF/C: Haslem vs Bass
SF: Battier vs Green
SG: Ray vs Lee
PG: N.Cole vs Terry
I think that bench battle is fairly neutral. Bass and Haslem should cancel one another out. Green and Battier is either neutral or an advantage for Boston if Green gets it together. Terry has a major advantage against Norris Cole. I think Lee can defend Ray well and minimize Ray's advantage there.
I think Miami would have a terrible time with that. I think Boston would be the strong favourite in that situation.
If Miami stayed small, I'd think Miami's chances would be much better.
C: Bosh vs Garnett
PF: LeBron vs Pekovic (with Pierce defending Bron)
SF: Battier vs Pierce (with Pek defending Battier)
SG: Wade vs Bradley
PG: Chalmers vs Rondo
I think both teams would rack up a huge number of points. Neither side would be able to defend their other effectively.
In that type of a scenario, I'd give Miami a slight edge just because they have the best player in the league in LeBron James and because of their three point shooting.
That said, Boston would still have a pretty decent chance, it would be a really close series and I think the deciding factor could be how much Avery Bradley can slow down D-Wade.
I don't think Miami could win trying to matchup against Boston's bigger more physical lineup.
They just don't have that sort of option on the bench amongst their backup big men.