LeBron James finally visiting the low post

It’s a myth that LeBron James never got the ball in the post in Cleveland — last season 6.3 percent of his possessions came on a post up, according to Synergy Sports. And he shot 52 percent when he got the ball there.

But the perception that James didn’t go into the post enough is still a valid one — his size, strength and vision would make him very hard to cover on the block. Sixers coach Doug Collins told the Palm Beach Post it would be “awful” for the rest of the league if James developed a post game.

Things are about to get awful, according to John Schuhmann at NBA.com.

“I’ve spent a lot of time [in the post], but not enough,” James said. “But this year, I’m going to key in on that, because we have more guys that can penetrate on the perimeter.”

LeBron and Wade have the size to play some in the post, noted coach Erik Spoelstra.

“It won’t be the majority of it with Dwyane and LeBron,” Spoelstra said Wednesday, “but we want to incorporate them both more to be able to back in, create two on the ball, create situations where we can play inside-out, just to offer some more variety.”

Even with all that amazing talent on the perimeter, the Heat will need to generate offense inside as well.

Chris Bosh has to be part of that — and Steve Kerr was wrong on TNT, Bosh has a good post game, as friend of the site Joe Treutlein pointed out at Hoopdata.com. Last season 34 percent of his touches came in the post and he shot 52 percent on them, scoring 1.09 points per possession. That’s a lot of touches and very good scoring numbers, especially considering everybody knew that it was coming.

Treutlein notes Bosh struggled against Boston because they had the personnel to push him off the block — he got the ball out farther (10-12 feet) and with help defense waiting because nobody fears Joel Anthony.

But LeBron on the block is a scarier threat than Bosh. Because of his quickness, and passing ability, James on the block creates all sorts of problems for the defense. The Sixers Collins noted Jordan was the best low-post player in the game at the end of his career. Kobe Bryant has gone there more in recent years and had success. Both of them have polished moves down there, James relies more on his athleticism right now, he has no signature move.

Like everything on the Heat, particularly on offense, it’s going to take some time. They are still figuring out how to dance together. But they will figure it out. And one of the best moves they have will be sending James to the block.