Hardly Frank Vogel smashmouth ball

How Erik Spoelstra tricked the Lakers into shooting a record number of 3s

BY DAVID THORPE

The Lakers were down four at the start of the second half of Game 2 when LeBron James found himself with a dream opportunity: He was alone on the left wing, behind the 3-point line, with only Meyers Leonard between him and pay dirt. LeBron rim attacks are among the sport’s deadliest. Leonard seldom plays because of his suspect defense. It’s mathematical: LeBron, who plays for a coach who preaches attacking the rim, Frank Vogel, would drive.

But LeBron shot a 3, one of a Finals record 47. The Lakers followed with 42 more in Game 3. This is weird from the team that led the whole league this season in shooting at the rim, and it hasn’t worked. The undermanned Heat have won five of the Finals last six quarters, as the direct result of a clever gambit by Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who has somehow turned the NBA’s top paint attack into the 3-happy Houston Rockets.