NBA Playoffs 2012: Dwyane Wade, Not Chris Bosh, Is Killing the Miami Heat

It's about time we stopped pretending that Chris Bosh was the star of the Miami Heat because we all know that it simply isn't true.

And it's about time that we stopped trying to use Bosh's subsequent injury as the reason behind the Miami Heat's dismal play in the Eastern Conference semifinals because we also know that it simply isn't true.

I'm not saying that Bosh didn't have an impact on the Heat when he was healthy, and I'm definitely not saying that his injury doesn't affect Miami's playoff chances. What I am saying is that his injury is not the reason the Heat are struggling.

Bosh is not killing the Miami Heat—that would be Dwyane Wade.

Wade, an All-Star and former finals MVP who is without doubt one of the top players in the league, is killing the Miami Heat, and he's squandering their playoff chances in the process.

And whilst the picture is bigger than Wade's horrendous performance in Miami's humiliating Game 3 loss to the Indiana Pacers, it provided a perfect snapshot of what's taken place in the playoff so far.

Or rather, what hasn't taken place in the playoffs so far.

Wade finished the night with just five points next to his name—all of which came in the second half. His 2-of-13 shooting was his worst playoff performance in history as the All-Star, who averaged over 22 points per game this year, finished Game 3 with the same number of points as turnovers.

Five. 

It's clear that Wade is frustrated—frustrated at himself, frustrated at the team, frustrated at the coach. He's simply frustrated at the entire situation, which he's perfectly entitled to be. I mean, after shooting 2-of-13, he's got every right to be frustrated at his own game.

The real issue for me is what happens after that frustration. Does the frustration drive him towards success and a better performance, or does it affect his entire game and have a negative impact on the rest of the team?

Right now, you'd have to argue the latter.

Wade's frustration is fine as long as it affects only him and pushes him towards playing better, but the moment it starts to affect others around him, then it's a problem.

When it forces you to give flagrant fouls that show that you've all but given up, then there's a problem.

When it results in you arguing with your coach and telling him in no uncertain terms that you know better than he does, then it's a problem.

When it means that your team has to cover for you, then it's definitely problem for the Heat.

LeBron James, who seemingly did all he could to keep Miami in the game, commented on Wade's night, stating:

"

It was one of those games where he couldn't make a shot, he couldn't get in a rhythm. He's one of the best players in the world—when you have a game like that, you try to throw it away and move on to the next one. He'll be better in Game 4.

"

And Wade?

Well, the best Wade could manage was that at least he "made history" with the worst half of his playoff career.

Perhaps worse than frustrated, he's disengaged—his mind simply isn't there—and I've got no doubt that Erik Spoelstra called Wade out on it in their mid-game argument.

To one extent Wade is allowed to miss shots because every player misses shots. But when he doesn't focus on defense and make amends for his turnover or missed opportunity, then Wade needs to be called out for letting the team down.

Which, when the dust has settled, is what he's doing.

Players know that they're going to have horror nights, and they know that their teammates are going to have horror nights as well. They're comforted not by the fact that their shooting will improve, but rather by the fact that they're giving their all despite their current failings.

Not with Wade; he just doesn't seem to be there mentally, and as a result his confidence and solid shooting have deserted him. 

Having said all that, credit must be given when it's due, and Indiana's defense does deserve a huge mention for their play throughout the entire series on Wade. They've forced him to take bad shots and limited his opportunities whilst forcing turnovers and exposing him in defense.

The Pacers have been helped by the absence of Bosh—allowing them to cover more on Wade without having to compensate for Bosh's inside presence. Bosh's injury has impacted the Heat significantly, but nowhere near the impact that the spluttering Wade has had. 

He's frustrated, he's lackadaisical, and he's killing the Miami Heat. 

Where the All-Star guard will go from here isn't up to what the writers say or what the Pacers defense does. It isn't even up to what Spoelstra conjures up for Game 4. 

It's all on Wade.

He should be held responsible for whatever success or failures he has in the playoffs. He is held high with every game-winning shot and therefore should also be held to the same standard every time he doesn't succeed.

Every missed shot, every turnover, every argument with the coach—it's all on Wade.

It's definitely not on Chris Bosh.

He didn't even play.

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