Miami's New Big Three
By Troy Sparks
Some NBA teams have three superstars, or the "Big Three."
Add Miami to the mix.
There are high expectations down there in South Beach.
What we don't know is if this trio will meet expectations.
So, what did the LeBron James free agent signing with the Heat mean for the franchise?
Nothing.
Did it make enough waves for team president Pat Riley to return to the bench?
Maybe it did.
James waited on Chris Bosh, who waited on Dywane Wade to make up his mind.
Since we already knew through a source that James would sign with Miami, he should've announced it then instead of having us watch the announcement on ESPN.
That night, I watched Donald Trump's "The Ultimate Merger" instead of that garbage.
All three players could play for less money this upcoming season and reap their benefits on the back end of their contracts.
I don't think the three stars will win the championship with the Heat.
Now, would James do that to his old team? If he did, he's a sore loser.
I saw that "sore loser" mentality when the Cavaliers lost to Orlando and James didn't want to congratulate Dwight Howard.
If you're a Cavs fan, do you welcome James back with open arms? Or, do you despise him for leaving the team high and dry?
Chicago and New York looked like fools. They unloadedย some players in hopes of getting James. Wade thought about signing with the Bulls, since his two kids live in Chicago.Maybe he didn't want any drama from his baby's mama.
I couldn't blame Bosh for high-tailing out of Toronto. Toronto is a hockey and Canadian football town.
For all what it's worth, James and Bosh probably started a trend:ย Future free agents signingย for less money with playoff teams that will contend for an NBA title.
In the back of his mind, Gilbert wants the Heat to fall flat on their faces.
Since James lives in Akron Ohio (for now), should he get love from fans in Ohio?
Other than Davis Stern's own thoughts that James should've stayed with the Cavs, the NBA's most sought-after free agent had the right to sign with any team.
Thanks to Curt Flood for pioneering the free agent movement.
He challenged the system and thought that no player should be bound to one team for his career.
Instead, Flood thought his services should go to the highest bidder.
It's cool that all three all-stars wanted to play together. Wade is still the leader of the Heat. How much time would pass before James feels that he should be the leader? I don't think he'll play second fiddle. Bosh doesn't mind being the third wheel because he doesn't mind tagging along.
Everyone in the Heat organization expects an appearance in the Finals, immediately. My guess is they won't beat the aging Celtics in next year's playoffs.
The heat is on for the three stars. They will keep the fire burning or flame out.
