Last night, the Miami Heat lost to the Orlando Magic by a score of 99 to 96. At first glance, the score does not appear to be that big of a deal - after all, they only lost by three points. However, the Magic were down by 24 points in the third quarter, then went on a 40-9 run over the next fifteen minutes to pull out the victory.
This season, there have been six occurrences where a team has lost after pulling out to a 22 or more point lead. Miami has two of those six. Also, the Heat have seen leads of 15 points evaporate to the Knicks, and barely hung on to a victory over the Magic last month despite a 23 point lead. They also had a 23 point lead over the Indiana Pacers a couple of weeks ago, which they managed to hang on to.
This is a sign for the Heat, and is a damning indictment for what was supposed to be a team that should breeze through the calender towards their anointment as champions. Despite having a great deal of talent in their 'Big Three' of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh, they lack the intangibles. They lack the killer instinct. They lack heart.
Looking at teams that the Heat may have to face in the playoffs, this promises to be magnified further. The Celtics of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce would never allow this to happen. Kobe and the Lakers would never allow this to happen. Even the Orlando Magic have proven that they will not back down, and can stand up to the paper champions.
The Heat are similar to the classic schoolyard bully. They can dominate the weaker opposition with ease, but cannot handle it when someone stands up to them. In retrospect, should anyone truly be surprised by this? The foundation of the team is a player who quit during the playoffs last season (James), someone who has never made it out of the first round and has not displayed any leadership qualities whatsoever (Bosh), and someone who is going along with what his pals want (Wade). Yes, Wade has won a championship, but it makes one wonder how much of that should be attributed to an angered Shaquille O'Neal at this point. Could it be that Shaq carried Wade to the title, as opposed to the other way around, regardless of what the statistics may have said?
Yes, the Heat will make it out of the first round, mainly because they will draw a team that won't stand up to them. But it would be shocking if they made it past round two, especially with fortitude they have displayed thus far.
Showing posts with label Dwayne Wade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dwayne Wade. Show all posts
Friday, March 4, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The NBA has a looming problem
In the wake of the Carmelo Anthony trade to the Knicks, a pattern has begun to develop. At this point, players have begun colluding amongst themselves, agreeing to play for a specific teams in order to build a few 'super teams'. Now, there is nothing illegal about this on the dies of the players, but if the owners were to get together in order to lower salaries, it would be a severe issue. Nothing quite like a double standard.
When did this all begin? In terms of athletes intentionally creating the 'super team' concept, it leads back to the Boston Celtics in the 2007-08 season, when Ray Allen and Paul Pierce pleaded with Kevin Garnett to join them in Boston. With the formation of the 'Big Three', the die had been cast.
Fast forward to this past off-season. LeBron, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh meet several times, and decide to partner up in Miami to create their own Super Team, only their version is a younger, more dynamic group with three players entering their prime. It doesn't matter that the Heat no longer have anything resembling a surrounding cast to support them, as there was no longer any room under the cap. They have their version of the Big Three scoring roughly 68.6% of the team's points. The fourth leading scorer? Udonis Haslem, who is out for a long time at 8.0 points per game. Behind him? We find Eddie House at 6.9 points per.
Now, the New York Knicks are joining the party. After picking up Amare Stoudemire through free agency, they picked up Carmelo Anthony, who forced the Denver Nuggets to trade him. So who is the third piece? None other than Chris Paul, who joined Carmelo and Amare in toasting to playing together in New York during Carmelo's wedding. Paul happens to be a free agent after next season, so don't expect him to sign an extension in New Orleans.
The NBA is rapidly becoming a collection of the haves against the have nots. Why play in a place like Toronto or Sacramento, when you can force that team to deal you to a team like Miami or New York? Why attempt to build something in an area that truly enjoys basketball, but happens to be in the middle of nowhere? After all, image is so much more important than the game, right?
This is something that David Stern needs to look at during the collective bargaining agreement. The league may become nothing more than six to eight teams loaded with superstars, while the rest of the teams either have to fold or play in obscurity. A hard salary cap would help to fix this issue. So would creating a franchise type tag in the NBA. But regardless of what they determine the answer to be, this needs to be fixed. And soon.
When did this all begin? In terms of athletes intentionally creating the 'super team' concept, it leads back to the Boston Celtics in the 2007-08 season, when Ray Allen and Paul Pierce pleaded with Kevin Garnett to join them in Boston. With the formation of the 'Big Three', the die had been cast.
Fast forward to this past off-season. LeBron, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh meet several times, and decide to partner up in Miami to create their own Super Team, only their version is a younger, more dynamic group with three players entering their prime. It doesn't matter that the Heat no longer have anything resembling a surrounding cast to support them, as there was no longer any room under the cap. They have their version of the Big Three scoring roughly 68.6% of the team's points. The fourth leading scorer? Udonis Haslem, who is out for a long time at 8.0 points per game. Behind him? We find Eddie House at 6.9 points per.
Now, the New York Knicks are joining the party. After picking up Amare Stoudemire through free agency, they picked up Carmelo Anthony, who forced the Denver Nuggets to trade him. So who is the third piece? None other than Chris Paul, who joined Carmelo and Amare in toasting to playing together in New York during Carmelo's wedding. Paul happens to be a free agent after next season, so don't expect him to sign an extension in New Orleans.
The NBA is rapidly becoming a collection of the haves against the have nots. Why play in a place like Toronto or Sacramento, when you can force that team to deal you to a team like Miami or New York? Why attempt to build something in an area that truly enjoys basketball, but happens to be in the middle of nowhere? After all, image is so much more important than the game, right?
This is something that David Stern needs to look at during the collective bargaining agreement. The league may become nothing more than six to eight teams loaded with superstars, while the rest of the teams either have to fold or play in obscurity. A hard salary cap would help to fix this issue. So would creating a franchise type tag in the NBA. But regardless of what they determine the answer to be, this needs to be fixed. And soon.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Man up LeBron James
For the third time in as many meetings, the Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat yesterday. Despite a game where Paul Pierce scored only one point and missed all of his field goal attempts, the Celtics managed to find a way to win. This follows a pattern that has come into play since the trio of Pierce, Allen, and Garnett were put together three years ago, where, despite the situation, they fight and claw to the last moment.
Meanwhile, Miami does not have the same killer, or championship, mentality that the Celtics have. With an opportunity to tie the game, LeBron missed his first free throw. As soon as the pressure was off, he promptly sank the second shot. Granted, it is just one free throw attempt, but this is a microcosm of what LeBron has become. At this point, he looks for excuses as to why the losses happen, instead of taking charge and trying to will his teams to victory.
From the moment LeBron and Chris Bosh signed in Miami, they were anointed as the NBA Champions, even though a game had yet to be played. They staged a 'meeting' with the players, where they came out on a smoke filled stage and preened for the adoring crowds. They expected that all they would have to do would be to show up, and they would win not just one championship, but the multiples that LeBron promised. Well, it's not so easy when other teams stand up.
Thus far, LeBron has claimed that Miami "doesn't have the chemistry that the Celtics have." When the Big Three in Boston first came together, they won 29 of their first 32 games. They deferred to each other. They worked hard at all aspects of the game. They would not back down to anyone. LeBron and the Heat? It's just excuse after excuse as they try to disguise how mentally soft they really are.
After the game, Dwayne Wade attempted to compare the Heat's struggles against the Celtics to how Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls had issues with the Detroit Pistons in the late 1980's. There are, however, several major differences. First, Jordan had nowhere near the supporting cast that LeBron has in Miami. Scottie Pippen was a good player, but he was not in the class of a Dwayne Wade. Those Bulls teams never had a player the caliber of Chris Bosh. They had solid players supporting an all time great, not three perennial All-Stars.
Second, Jordan refused to let up. He would win, or he would go to the last second trying to get that victory. Nothing mattered more to him than to win at everything he tried. With LeBron, it's about image. It's about his brand. It's about having fun. Then maybe basketball factors in after those three things.
Third, Jordan loved the pressure. He created some of the most memorable moments in NBA history during the playoffs. LeBron, meanwhile, shrinks from the pressure. He passes up shots. He commits turnovers he normally wouldn't make. The shots he does take, he misses more than he hits. LeBron simply does not have the mental fortitude required to be the leader of a championship team.
As such, it is time for LeBron James to man up. He needs to realize that nothing is being handed to him in Miami, and that he needs to work at getting championships. Otherwise, his legacy is going to be about unfulfilled potential and all the excuses made for him.
Meanwhile, Miami does not have the same killer, or championship, mentality that the Celtics have. With an opportunity to tie the game, LeBron missed his first free throw. As soon as the pressure was off, he promptly sank the second shot. Granted, it is just one free throw attempt, but this is a microcosm of what LeBron has become. At this point, he looks for excuses as to why the losses happen, instead of taking charge and trying to will his teams to victory.
From the moment LeBron and Chris Bosh signed in Miami, they were anointed as the NBA Champions, even though a game had yet to be played. They staged a 'meeting' with the players, where they came out on a smoke filled stage and preened for the adoring crowds. They expected that all they would have to do would be to show up, and they would win not just one championship, but the multiples that LeBron promised. Well, it's not so easy when other teams stand up.
Thus far, LeBron has claimed that Miami "doesn't have the chemistry that the Celtics have." When the Big Three in Boston first came together, they won 29 of their first 32 games. They deferred to each other. They worked hard at all aspects of the game. They would not back down to anyone. LeBron and the Heat? It's just excuse after excuse as they try to disguise how mentally soft they really are.
After the game, Dwayne Wade attempted to compare the Heat's struggles against the Celtics to how Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls had issues with the Detroit Pistons in the late 1980's. There are, however, several major differences. First, Jordan had nowhere near the supporting cast that LeBron has in Miami. Scottie Pippen was a good player, but he was not in the class of a Dwayne Wade. Those Bulls teams never had a player the caliber of Chris Bosh. They had solid players supporting an all time great, not three perennial All-Stars.
Second, Jordan refused to let up. He would win, or he would go to the last second trying to get that victory. Nothing mattered more to him than to win at everything he tried. With LeBron, it's about image. It's about his brand. It's about having fun. Then maybe basketball factors in after those three things.
Third, Jordan loved the pressure. He created some of the most memorable moments in NBA history during the playoffs. LeBron, meanwhile, shrinks from the pressure. He passes up shots. He commits turnovers he normally wouldn't make. The shots he does take, he misses more than he hits. LeBron simply does not have the mental fortitude required to be the leader of a championship team.
As such, it is time for LeBron James to man up. He needs to realize that nothing is being handed to him in Miami, and that he needs to work at getting championships. Otherwise, his legacy is going to be about unfulfilled potential and all the excuses made for him.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Erik Spoelstra - Dead Coach Walking
In a scenario extremely reminiscent of 2005, the spectre of Pat Riley looms over the Miami Heat bench. This time, caught in the crosshairs is young Erik Spoelstra, a young coach whose players are openly questioning and debating whether or not he should be on the bench of the Miami Heat.
Flashing back to 2005, Stan Van Gundy (who you may recognize as that Ron Jeremy look-alike wandering about NBA sidelines) was the head coach of the Miami Heat. In the previous season, he brought an injury ravaged team to the seventh game of the Eastern Conference Finals before losing to the eventual champion Detroit Pistons. In a situation widely thought to be orchestrated by Riley, Van Gundy abruptly resigned from his position as head coach on December 12, 2005, stating that he wanted to spend more time with his family. In response to the 'unforeseen' and 'unexpected' departure of the coach, Riley 'reluctantly' came down from his elevated position as president of the Heat, and promptly led the team to it's only championship.
Fast forward to 2008. Riley once again resigned as coach of the Heat, and elevated another assistant, Spoelstra, to the head coaching position. Once again, in his first two seasons, the coach brought the team into the playoffs. Following the same script, Riley brought in several players (Shaq in 2005, Lebron and Chris Bosh in 2010) in an attempt to win a championship. Continuing the parallel, the team has started off slowly (10-8 at the time of this post).
However, here is the difference: the players never questioned Van Gundy's ability. LeBron James has openly questioned Spoelstra's coaching acumen. When asked about his coach, Dwayne Wade stated “He’s a different person and I’m a different player than when we came in." Wade then continued, “So, I’m not going to say he’s my guy, but he’s my coach, you know. Right now, in my opinion, no one is doing a good job, we’re 9-8. We’re all in this together. Players not doing a good job; coaches not doing a good job. As a whole. When success comes, we win as a whole. We win four in a row, Coach is going to look great.” Nothing quite like having your coach's back, right? I wonder if those two took their directions right from Brutus's playbook as he stabbed Caesar.
James has repetitively stated that he is not 'having fun this year'. Perhaps I missed the point, but isn't professional sports supposed to be about winning championships or getting paid, based on your outlook? Didn't James state that the reason why he was 'bringing his talents to South Beach' was to win titles? So what if the coach is demanding that you stop goofing off and actually do something, for example - practice the plays and defense, at an actual practice? Last time I checked, LeBron, for all his talents, is not Allen Iverson in his prime and does not have nearly .0001% of the heart, guts, and determination Iverson had. LeBron is a spoiled child who is used to getting his way, and doesn't like that Spoelstra is calling him out for it.
As such, the Heat are literally on the brink of outright mutiny. Spoelstra is trying to put out all the fires he can, but that's hard to do when wearing gasoline pants in a flame filled room. Even though Riley states that he has no intention of coaching this team, don't be surprised if you see him at a Miami area orphanage looking for an infant to give Spoelstra so that he can 'spend more time with his family'. The inmates are running the asylum in South Beach, and it's a matter of time before they get the warden that are demanding.
Flashing back to 2005, Stan Van Gundy (who you may recognize as that Ron Jeremy look-alike wandering about NBA sidelines) was the head coach of the Miami Heat. In the previous season, he brought an injury ravaged team to the seventh game of the Eastern Conference Finals before losing to the eventual champion Detroit Pistons. In a situation widely thought to be orchestrated by Riley, Van Gundy abruptly resigned from his position as head coach on December 12, 2005, stating that he wanted to spend more time with his family. In response to the 'unforeseen' and 'unexpected' departure of the coach, Riley 'reluctantly' came down from his elevated position as president of the Heat, and promptly led the team to it's only championship.
Fast forward to 2008. Riley once again resigned as coach of the Heat, and elevated another assistant, Spoelstra, to the head coaching position. Once again, in his first two seasons, the coach brought the team into the playoffs. Following the same script, Riley brought in several players (Shaq in 2005, Lebron and Chris Bosh in 2010) in an attempt to win a championship. Continuing the parallel, the team has started off slowly (10-8 at the time of this post).
However, here is the difference: the players never questioned Van Gundy's ability. LeBron James has openly questioned Spoelstra's coaching acumen. When asked about his coach, Dwayne Wade stated “He’s a different person and I’m a different player than when we came in." Wade then continued, “So, I’m not going to say he’s my guy, but he’s my coach, you know. Right now, in my opinion, no one is doing a good job, we’re 9-8. We’re all in this together. Players not doing a good job; coaches not doing a good job. As a whole. When success comes, we win as a whole. We win four in a row, Coach is going to look great.” Nothing quite like having your coach's back, right? I wonder if those two took their directions right from Brutus's playbook as he stabbed Caesar.
James has repetitively stated that he is not 'having fun this year'. Perhaps I missed the point, but isn't professional sports supposed to be about winning championships or getting paid, based on your outlook? Didn't James state that the reason why he was 'bringing his talents to South Beach' was to win titles? So what if the coach is demanding that you stop goofing off and actually do something, for example - practice the plays and defense, at an actual practice? Last time I checked, LeBron, for all his talents, is not Allen Iverson in his prime and does not have nearly .0001% of the heart, guts, and determination Iverson had. LeBron is a spoiled child who is used to getting his way, and doesn't like that Spoelstra is calling him out for it.
As such, the Heat are literally on the brink of outright mutiny. Spoelstra is trying to put out all the fires he can, but that's hard to do when wearing gasoline pants in a flame filled room. Even though Riley states that he has no intention of coaching this team, don't be surprised if you see him at a Miami area orphanage looking for an infant to give Spoelstra so that he can 'spend more time with his family'. The inmates are running the asylum in South Beach, and it's a matter of time before they get the warden that are demanding.
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