By CHRIS PERKINS
FOXSportsFlorida.com Heat Writer
Dec. 31, 2010
Heat center Joel Anthony is getting more and more minutes at power forward. It's a subtle experiment but it could pay huge dividends down the line in a playoff series against, say, Boston.
Remember the other night when the 6-foot-9 Anthony defended Dallas' 7-foot power forward, Dirk Nowitzki, a future Hall of Famer who lives on the perimeter? It might have been a glimpse into the future.
"I thought he did very well against one of the legitimate MVP candidates this year," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "It's a tough cover in so many different ways. But Joel has a lot of the qualities to defend different positions."
By splitting his time at center and power forward, albeit sparingly at the latter, Anthony could find himself defending Nowitzki one night and, say, Lakers center Andrew Bynum the next. On the same night maybe Anthony could guard Atlanta power forward Josh Smith and Hawks center Al Horford.
Or picture this: In a best-of-seven series against big-bodied Boston, which is well-stocked upfront, Anthony could provide the size and athleticism to defend anybody ranging from power forward Kevin Garnett to Glen Davis and Jermaine O'Neal, who can play power forward and center. Or Anthony could defend centers Shaquille O'Neal and Kendrick Perkins. That takes a rare set of defensive skills.
"You can't guard them the same, obviously, because they're not the same player," Anthony said of defending power forwards and centers. "Offensively, they have different strengths, and defensively, you have to find a way to slow them down. In the end you just have to find a way to get stops regarding of who you're guarding. That's all I'm trying to do."
Last season the Heat had Michael Beasley starting at power forward, and Udonis Haslem, currently out with a foot injury, came off the bench. If there was an injury or foul trouble, Jermaine O'Neal, then with the Heat, could slide from center to play power forward, his natural position, so Anthony wasn't needed much.
This year Miami starts Chris Bosh at power forward, and with Haslem sidelined, Juwan Howard, in his 17th season, is the backup. That's a risk because of Howard's age. Anthony provides an athletic alternative on defense at power forward.
"As a defender I don't think I'm just limited to guarding (centers)," Anthony said. "I feel I can guard (power forwards) just as well."
