How can the Miami Heat stop Tony Parker?

But how can they stop this man? He makes shots out of nowhere, creates opportunities from the brink of lost hope and generates turnovers like no man’s business. Can the Miami Heat actually swindle Tony Parker? The answer is yes, but indirectly.

The Heat does have the game’s elite defenders in its ranks. While LeBron James, the game’s best player, may not be expected to stick to Tony Parker the entire game, Heat can find ways to limit the Spurs production. The first way is to ensure the other players surrounding Tony Parker’s aura in the Spurs line up, do not feature as prominently. That includes confining the likes of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Kawhi Leonard from dropping one bucket after another. Tony Parker is an exceptional basketball phenomenon but he is not going to win the NBA single-handedly. Neither could LeBron James. So the Heat has got to believe in restricting numbers from others players on the Spurs line up. If Parker cannot seem to find space, he is prone to taking unnecessary shots. This could tip sides into Miami’s favor.

Another worrying stat for the Heat was the number zero highlighted in Tony Parker’s turnover column from Game 1. Nobody wins a game in today’s NBA if they do not manage to cause the opponent’s point guard to turn the ball over. Tony Parker might be the game’s most feared point guard but he is not perfect either. His inhumane instincts will cause him to keep the score ticking but he is only human enough to be prone to a steal or miss pass. The Heat has got to work on that. This also means they need not just put LeBron steadily on Parker. Just like it was mentioned earlier, to cover other players in the Spurs line-up, Heat have got to pick steal after steal or force the ball out of a San Antonio hand. Increasing pressure will beckon Tony Parker’s surrender, which could be ever so vital in deciding the outcome of the NBA Finals.

Next, the Heat has got to mount pressure on the Spurs more effectively from the offense. While the Heat’s defense can be questioned for its lack in luster during the playoffs, boasting the likes of the NBA’s three best known shooters in LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh could do the deal for South Beach franchise; and having the greatest three point shooter in the history of the game in the team’s roster works even more in Miami’s favor. Ray Allen could prove decisive in sneaking valuable points onto the scoreboard, and the same could be said for capable shooters in Norris Cole, Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers. The team has got to realize that this is not the regular season anymore. Neither is it a less talented or injury plagued Eastern Conference franchise they have come up against. It is the San Antonio Spurs and Mr. Tony Parker is leading it. Holding onto a lead is much easier than chasing one. Letting your opponent do the talking is less difficult in a game than forcing yourself to make the final claim. The Heat has got to live by these fundamentals from now onwards.

While it is easier said than done, the Miami Heat does have a huge task up its sleeves. Even if they shut every other player, Tony Parker could still produce magical digits on the court. But only from starting to climb around the mountain, can the Heat ascend to the top. Game 1 is over and the boys from the Magic City have got to believe Parker’s last second shot was lucky. Game 2 is whole new story. If this team wants to stake its claim to be one of the best in history, then Miami need to first forego of the past and come back strong from Game 2. Only then do they have a real chance in lifting the Larry O’Brien Championship trophy once again.