Why LeBron James and Dwyane Wade Will Hate Each Other by Season's End

The Miami Heat hit the free-agency jackpot. Before Heat fans start talking about putting up championship banners in the American Airlines Arena, however, there could be trouble in paradise.

Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh claim to be good friends, and that may be true. But some of our biggest fights in life are between closest friends.

The NBA season is long and by the time the playoffs roll in, these superstars could very well be on each other’s nerves. In particular, D-Wade and LeBron may not be speaking by season’s end.

Let’s take a look at the ten reasons why LeBron and D-Wade will hate each other by season’s end.

10. LeBron’s Chalk Toss Won’t Be As Cool in South Beach

Cleveland is No. 3 on my list of cities I never want to live in. Can you guess where the other two are?

LeBron’s famous chalk toss before the start of every Cavs game was the best theatrical event in town. Fans would pay extra for the seats right behind the scorer’s table in the hope that some of the sacred chalk would land on them.

Miami is a more “cultured” city. Heat fans won’t be amazed by watching LeBron throw chalk in the air. Also whoever is sitting in the front row of AAA will not want chalk on his Affliction V-neck.

And if LeBron tries to pull this stunt in the clubs, he is getting thrown out by the bouncers.

9. Starting Lineup

One of the best parts about NBA games is the announcement of the starting lineups. The away team always gets booed, and there are usually dramatic pyrotechnics.

The best part though is when the superstar for the home team is announced. He is always the last player announced and gets the biggest cheer from the home fans.

LeBron has been the last player announced for his entire career. He is going to have to get used to being second-to-last.

D-Wade is always going to be the last player and will get the biggest applause during the starting lineups. Can LeBron accept being second fiddle?

8. LeBron’s Mom and Dwyane Wade

In Cleveland, there were rumors Gloria James had “relations” with the ugliest man alive, Delonte West. Mama James could be looking for an upgrade on South Beach.

Her target: D-Wade

This cougar could try every trick in the book to get her claws into D-Wade. If she succeeds, the Heat locker room will get slightly hotter.

7. Miami Will Always Be Wade County

D-Wade will always be the king of Miami. For Christ’s sake, they changed the name of the county for a week from Dade to Wade County.

Whenever D-Wade and LeBron roll into a club or restraint, D-Wade is getting in first.

Many experts were amazed that LeBron was able to put his ego aside and come to play basketball with D-Wade. LeBron was Cleveland’s pride and joy. Will LeBron accept being the No. 2 man in Miami?

6. Miami Fans Will NOT Be Witnesses

There is a huge billboard in downtown Cleveland (although I’m sure it has been taken down by now) that has a picture of LeBron and says, “We are all Witnesses."

Unlike Cleveland, the city of Miami has a lot going for it and will not be in awe of LeBron. The people of Cleveland would dare never question LeBron’s action on and off the court. In their mind LeBron was all-knowing and could do no wrong.

That won’t fly in the 305.

The Miami media and fans will have no problem letting LeBron know when he is screwing up. Also, LeBron’s title “King James” died in Cleveland.

LeBron is used to receiving criticism from the national media. He will need to learn how to deal with criticism from the hometown.

5. They Won’t Sign Enough Quality Free Agents

If the NBA played three-on-three, the Miami Heat would win every game. But sadly the NBA still plays five-on-five (although Pat Riley is talking to David Stern about changing it) and “Miami Thrice” is going to need some help.

With three players signed to max-deals, there really isn’t that much cap space left to get quality free agents. And although every free agent will be willing to take a pay cut to play for this team, they aren’t willing to take that big of a pay cut.

Pat Riley pulled off a miracle by bringing D-Wade, LeBron, and Bosh to Miami, but the job is not done yet. He needs to go after role players who can help this team win a title.

If Riley is unsuccessful in signing enough role players, Miami Thrice could be in for a long season.

4. Neither of Them Wants to Play Defense

D-Wade and LeBron didn’t agree to be in Miami to play defense. They want to put the ball in the hoop.

The only problem is defense wins championships.

Look at the Lakers vs. Celtics series. Both of those teams have star players who could drop 50 points every night. But they got to the Finals by being the best defensive teams in the league.

D-Wade and LeBron are going to have to change their games and focus more on becoming studs on the defensive side of the ball. If one of them is slacking on the defensive side of the ball, the other one is going to call him out.

3. There is Only One Ball

Pat Riley is frantically trying to get a hold of David Stern to talk about a possible rule change. Riley is proposing that NBA games be played with two balls on the court. It will increase scoring and bring more fans to the games.

For once, Riley’s sales pitch may not work.

Over their NBA careers, both D-Wade and LeBron have averaged over 25 points per game (25.4 and 27.8). Those numbers are going to decrease.

Both of these players were “the man” on their respective teams and were always the first option on offense. With these two stars on the same team, there may not be enough balls to go around.

Whoever is the Heat’s head coach must find a way to make his superstars share. This situation could get real ugly if one of the stars feels like he is not getting enough shots. But the biggest question may be who gets to take the final shot.

2. Final Shot

The Heat are trailing by two points with 3.8 seconds left in Game Seven of the NBA Finals. Who is taking the final shot?

Both of these superstars have hit game-winning shots in their NBA careers. It seems like hitting buzzer beaters is the true barometer of being a NBA superstar.

It has been suggested that D-Wade and LeBron will take turns taking the final shot, but that will not work. Someone is going to have to become “the guy” when the Heat needs a game-winning shot.

Who will it be? I have no idea, but I do know that whoever isn’t “the guy” won’t be too pleased. And if “the guy” starts missing a couple of shots, you will start to hear rumbles from the neglected All-Star.

1. They Will NOT Win the NBA Championship in 2011

Miami Thrice was assembled for one reason: to win multiple NBA championships. The fans of Miami will not want to wait long.

The expectation in Miami is that this team will win it all in 2011. But I got news for you: The Miami Heat will not win the title in 2011.

The reigning NBA champions, the Los Angeles Lakers, are still the best team in basketball. They are bringing back the nucleus of their team and they have the “Zen Master” Phil Jackson for one more season.

Phil Jackson has proven time after time that he is a winner. Trust me: His last game in the NBA is not going to be a loss.

It’s also not 100-percent guaranteed that the Heat will win the East. Orlando and Boston are still two very good teams that will challenge the Heat.

Everything will be fine and dandy between D-Wade and LeBron when they are winning. When the losses start rolling in, that’s when things will get interesting.

LeBron in particular turned down more money in Cleveland to come win a championship in Miami with Wade. If the Heat are unsuccessful in winning it all in 2011, LeBron may start wondering why he left home.