Jrue Holiday, Lou Williams, Jodie Meeks, and Spencer Hawes may not strike fear into Miami Heat fans drinking martinis on South Beach. They could, however, be key to an underdog 76ers team looking to shock the world -- make that the universe -- with a series victory over the vaunted Heat
The Sixers might have a Fantastic Four but they do nothing to compare to Miami’s Big 3 of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.
James and Bosh pose the most difficult matchups both defensively and on the offensive end -- despite a resurgent Elton Brand and a defensively stout Andre Iguodala.
Of Course, the original piece of the Heat's dreaded trio, Wade, is spectacular in his own right.
Then, there's the rest of the Heat.
Depleted emptiness could describe the rest of the Heat team including their bench, starting center and point guard. That very well could be the Heat 's eventual downfall, and could be the Sixers best chance of survival.
Exhibit A -- Lou Williams:
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LouWill -- if healthy -- serves the Sixers' energy battery. He, alone, can outscore the Heat's bench and in the process wear down the Heat's starting backcourt, including Wade himself, who will play enormous minutes as usual.
Exhibit B -- Jrue Holiday:
The second-year guard should matchup with the likes of Eddie House, Mike Bibby, and Mario Chalmers. The advantage goes to Holiday because Bibby is a declining -- but savvy -- player, while House and Chalmers are the standard for NBA mediocrity.
Holiday should be able to effectively run the Sixers' offense with his control and decision-making.
Exhibit C -- Jodie Meeks:
It's doubtful that Miami Coach Erik Spoelstra will allow Holiday to take over and dictate game play. To combat that, Wade could possibly take over duties guarding Holiday at times, giving Meeks ample opportunities to shoot the ball, especially in three-point-land. Meeks must do what earned him a spot in the starting lineup -- provide consistent shooting and maintain a legitimate defensive effort.
Exhibit D -- Spencer Hawes: He surely isn't the second coming of Moses Malone, but he has showed the ability to step up in some of the biggest games this year. His opposition won't be making the trip to the Hall of Fame, as Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Joel Anthony and Erik Dampier don't pose much of an intimidation factor.
Hawes should be able to provide what will be a much-needed boost to the Sixers' offensive attack as he matches up well with the Heat’s big men.
In a series where Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, and Elton Brand will be "out-starred" by Miami’s Big 3, the production of the Hawes, Holiday, Meeks, and Williams will be the Sixers only lifeline in their effort to make history.
The NBA's new super-villain has holes in their amour, and with effort, focus, defensive awareness and a lot of luck, the Sixers could just crack the amour -- pull of an upset of epic proportions.
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