So now…uh…Mike Miller is guarding Tony Parker. I can’t even believe I typed those words. Mike Miller, one of the least mobile NBA players in the entire history of NBA players, is guarding one of the most elusive guards in the NBA.
I can just imagine Tony Parker licking his chops and thinking, “OMG, I have Mike “I am so pathetically unathletic, I hurt myself shooting a three-pointer” Miller on me…I can absolutely destroy this guy off the dribble.”
Duncan, who is guarded by Chris Bosh, is now curling behind Kawhi (who sets a little bit of a screen on Bosh) to
A. Either receive the ball from Parker for one of Duncan’s patented 15-foot jumpers (or maybe one of these).
B. Or to set a pick for Parker.
…and it turns out that it was Option B! Duncan set’s a pick, and Bosh and Miller switch, so now Chris Bosh is guarding Tony Parker, Mike Miller is guarding Tim Duncan, and LeBron is guarding Kawhi Leonard. This is where you realize how great of a coach Gregg Popvich is — he has taken the Heat’s best defender (LeBron) off of the Spurs’ best creator (Parker) and gave Parker a very good matchup, to boot. That’s amazing.