Wade says LeBron having to cover Durant good for Miami

It’s one of the best parts of these NBA finals — Kevin Durant and LeBron James are going to be matched up on each other. The two best players in the game today going head-to-head.

It’s not going to happen all the time (expect cross matching, the Heat will want LeBron on Durant at key moments, but the Thunder will hide Durant more on defense).

But having it happen at all is good for Miami because it will fire up LeBron, at least that’s what Dwyane Wade thinks will happen. Via Ethan Skolnick of the Palm Beach Post.

“I’m glad he has that challenge because it’s going to make him focus more,” Wade said. “It’s going to make him play a little different. I’d rather for him to be guarding Kevin Durant than to have to guard DeShawn Stevenson like last year, where he wasn’t as involved. And also Shawn Marion, he wasn’t as involved. Kevin Durant, you’ve got have your antennas up at all times. I think it’s going to bring out the best in both of them.”

Good theory, but bringing out the best of LeBron has not really been the Heat’s problem this playoff. Bringing out the best of Wade in the first half has been an issue. Bringing out the best of Mike Miller/Udonis Haslem/Shane Battier at any points has been the problem.

They can’t all cover Durant, can they?