When forward Chris Bosh and guard Dwayne Wade signed and re-signed (respectively) with the Miami Heat, NBA experts and basketball fans knew that something great was brewing in Florida. However, when LeBron James made “The Decision” on national television that he was going to take his talents to South Beach, the basketball world was in shock. James’ decision to team up with Bosh and Wade confused and excited both fans and experts across the nation and many knew that collectively, this three-headed monster was going to win NBA titles – just not in their first season together.
The Heat battled with chemistry issues on a nightly basis throughout the season, along with the inconsistent productivity of their Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde bench. Despite its difficulties this season, however, the team finds itself where originally envisioned: in the Eastern Conference Finals. If Miami, led by “The Three,” continues their 2010-2011 season success through their series against the Chicago Bulls, and then goes on to win the NBA Finals, this Miami squad would be labeled “The Worst Title Team” among the franchise’s other anticipated championship teams to come.
“It’s at an all-time high right now,” said James on March 30 when asked about his chemistry with Wade. “Everyone is comfortable and we know it’s our game and that’s how we’re playing. It was just about preparation. I know a lot about it and I know a lot about winning ball games. He’s (Wade) come out on top and I’m trying to get there. We just follow each other’s lead every night.”
One factor about this Heat team has been their inability to establish their roles throughout the regular season. “The Three” (not yet the “Big Three” because they have not won anything together yet) have to perform better than just feeding the one who has the hot hand. In close contests, James found himself forcing bad shots and struggling to close out games from the perimeter. Although better suited for that role, Wade has stood away. Bosh has not known whether he’s wanted to go hard in the paint or shoot from the perimeter. Although “The Three” have experienced critical situations because of their leadership roles in previous squads, they have shown during the playoffs – when it counted – how comfortable they are in their roles with each other. The team chemistry is now much smoother.
“Everything’s a lot smoother on both ends,” said Bosh. “We keep the ball moving and late in the game we played our system and moved the ball around well. There were open shots we missed and made, and we kept playing.
“We knew it was going to take time for us to come together,” he continued. “It has happened quicker than I had imagined, but we are continuing to work and I think we still have a long way to go. We are going in the right direction.”
The hate factor towards the Heat could also play a role in helping make them a bad championship team. Unlike the other high-profile squads from the NBA’s past – like the 90’s Bulls and the 80’s Los Angeles Lakers (who were treated like a beloved rock band) – even on opponent’s floors, the Heat has experienced more of a backlash as they were celebrated more nationally for their shortcomings than their victories. Though unfortunate, the crowd’s negative reactions are okay and understood by the Heat.
“Well we’re going to get boos in certain arenas no matter what happens and that’s the nature of it,” said Wade. “There’s going to be certain arenas where we’re going to get booed when we run out but it changes kind of fast.
“But at the end of the day we’re fine. We expect it. Now if we got booed at home, that’s a different story,” he continued with a grin. “But we go on the road, those fans are supporting their team and we’re coming in trying to take something from their team; so boos are ok with us.”
The Boston Celtics’ “Big Three” laid down the formula on how three big-time players can team up to win during the 2008 season when they won the NBA title in the their first year together. Guard Ray Allen, guard/forward Paul Pierce and forward/center Kevin Garnett played different positions and the demand for the ball by these players were from different aspects. Allen played off the ball through screens and picked to get open shots. Pierce demanded more of the ball as a playmaker while Garnett preferred the ball when he was positioned. Ultimately, passion, experience and sacrificed egos were the foundation of getting to the mountain top with the Larry O’ Brien in hand.
Additionally, there’s a commentary bench to follow.
Case in point for James and Wade, who both always had the ball throughout their basketball life: many believed that they would have a conflict with sharing the ball, but they proved otherwise.
The Heat does not have a commentary bench, which is their main issue and is the reason why this Heat team will be the worst champion if they get to that point. If “The Three” do not combine to score at least 80 points per game, the Heat’s chances to win are limited.
Bosh, Wade and James have dominated nearly every major statistical category for the Heat during this season’s journey. They each shot over a 1,000 times from the field hitting 65 percent of the team’s field goals, while no teammate even attempted 400 tries. They each attempted at least 450 free throws, shooting 78 percent, while no other Heat player achieved 75 attempts. “The Three” were the team’s top rebounders, grabbing half of the team’s boards, and each played at least 1,200 minutes more than any other Heat member, which is 44 percent of the total. 64 percent of the Heat’s assists, 54 percent of the team’s steals and 43 percent of the club’s blocks were through the group. Due to the attention that the three All-Stars commanded, their teammates had multiple three-point attempts out of the countless open shots available. But when games were close, the percentage numbers increased.
These numbers define the meaning of carrying the team.
“We have good players. It’s about becoming a good team and believing in each other,” said Wade. “It took time to do that. We had the talent, but it took time to believe in the system and everyone to understand their roles…It took a little longer than everyone expected, even us, but it’s a beautiful thing when it works.”
After this season, “The Three” should receive the help that they are quietly crying for as seven of their twelve teammates will be unrestricted free agents. This does not include guard Mario Chalmers who will be a restricted free agent (and he’s not crazy, he’s staying). Among the Heat’s unrestricted free agents, Mike Bibby, Erick Dampier, Eddie House, Juwan Howard, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, James Jones, and Jamaal Magloire combined for $6,489,143. The organization could use this wisely to acquire solid pieces around “The Three” that would be effective.
The best part about the Heat this season – because of their performance – is that productive players will take less to play with “The Three” because their chances of winning a champion are great. With better acquisitions surrounding Bosh, Wade and James, the Heat will have a better all-around squad in the years to come, far better than this championship caliber unit.