For Miami at least, the heat is on for the rest of the season

First appeared on November 3rd, 2010
in The Lebanon Reporter

Whether you forgot to pay your electric bill or have joined a cult waging war against the medium that is television, two big stories exist in our nation currently. The first being the midterm elections and the second being the Miami Heat. And because I am still trying to shake nightmares triggered by overexposure to fear-mongering attack ads, let’s focus on the Heat instead.


Perhaps some of you are unaware LeBron James and Chris Bosh, two of the NBA’s best players, signed with the Miami Heat in the off season. Just to be on the safe side I should probably tell those of you who missed this massive shift in power that we also elected our first African American President and communist Russia no longer exists.

The decision of James and Bosh to go to Miami not only ignited a media firestorm, but also created a roster with three of the league’s 10 best players. Such a roster, which has been previously unheard of in league history, comes with unparalleled expectations. During the first quarter of their season opener last week in Boston all these lofty expectations culminated in the Heat’s scoring a measly nine points.

All the offseason hype, all the second guessing and dancing on stage with smoke machines exploding in the background translated to a measly nine points. Nine points was the result of four months of waiting, heated barber shop jabbering and Miami cabbies guaranteeing everything short of the Heat conquering Canada or Mexico.

The Heat’s roster is talented but this is basketball. You’re not adding a couple power hitters to a baseball line up. These guys need time to figure out where each likes to work with the ball and what each can do with the ball. Basketball is a game of rhythm and timing and right now, like a bad Idol contestant, the Heat have neither.

Comparisons with the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls team that won 72 games are rampant. And, at this point, that is simply unfair. That Chicago core had played hundreds of games together. Counting Wades injury and time off the floor, this nucleus has played less than 10 total games together.

In short they will not win 72 games this year and while I’m at it, they won’t win a Title either. Rebounding the basketball and defending at the rim will be recurring issues that nag them all year.

The Lakers made positive off season strides as well, adding to a championship roster that went virtually unchanged otherwise. Los Angeles simply having more on floor experience together will go much further than the athletic ability or individual talents of Miami.

That being said, the Heat are exactly what the NBA needs. They’ll sell tickets, generate hype and provide SportsCenter with a near constant loop of unbelievable highlights.

Don’t misconstrue this as an attack on LeBron either for these have become all too sheik. At some point, his millions and the self-indulgent insensitivity of “The Decision” aside, it’s easy to feel sorry for the guy somehow. Everyone makes mistakes, for proof see the genius who came up with New Formula Coke; let’s just call him “The guy who no longer works for Coca Cola”. Cleveland Owner Dan Gilbert was obviously hurt when he spoke about LeBron’s decision to leave. But upon further review his fundamental point may be rooted in fact. For proof of what kind of competitor James truly is we’ll have to wait until May and June roll around for that’s when the stakes get higher. Until then, enjoy the ride; and the fact it’s not longer campaign season of course.