Miami Heat Imploding as Future of Erik Spoelstra, Big Three in Question

What you saw in Game 3 wasn't a rout—it was an implosion.

Forget the narrative you'll hear from critics about how Miami's uneven roster composition was fool's gold from the start.

Forget the talk about how Chris Bosh is so sorely needed.

Forget the speculation that Dwyane Wade's lost a step in his game.

Everything you needed to know about the loss came in a two-minute sequence in the third quarter, which saw one team captain punking the head coach, while another team captain was getting punked by an opposing player.

This illustrates the real Achilles heel of this team: leadership.

Let's look at the evidence. After the game, Udonis Haslem noted that Miami has a lot of "alpha males" on the team. In other words: The pecking order is prone to fluctuation, if there ever was one to begin with.

All week long, meanwhile, you've heard this team do nothing but provide excuses and distractions to the media. 

First, it was Dwyane Wade's annoyance of the Pacers' victory celebration in Game 2. Then it was LeBron's "taxing" obligation to play power forward.

And what about on the court?

Erik Spoelstra is making inexplicable lineup changes this late in the season. (Dexter Pittman? Really?) Dwyane Wade was bristling at refs for not calling a foul on his defender, while the Heat were left to recover from the subsequent 5-on-4 disadvantage on the other end.

Udonis Haslem is playing like a shell of the player he once was. LeBron James, the NBA's most unstoppable force, is disappearing in games that are close. 

All of this translates to a team that is much worse off than its 2-1 series deficit suggests. It translates to a team that is prone to collapse, just like they did in the NBA Finals last year. Only this time, Pat Riley won't be able to bandage the wound with a Shane Battier signing.

No, a second round exit would suggest a hemorrhage. One that would cause heads (plural) to roll.

Sure, Erik Spoelstra's termination would be all but guaranteed. But you know Riley couldn't just stop there. He would have to give serious thought to trading at least one of the Big Three.

But who?

It won't be LeBron, because he is the MVP and clearly the best of the three. 

You could've argued before this series that Bosh was the weakest link, yet his absence amidst this collapse has done nothing but underscore his importance.

Finally, there is Dwyane Wade. And as tough and possibly blasphemous as it is to say, he does stand out as the most eligible candidate. Think about it. 

His game and LeBron's game are somewhat redundant.

They only complement each other when they can run, but generally the turnover-prone, offensively dysfunctional teams that enable them to do so are gone midway through the playoffs.

In addition, there has to be the ego component taken into account. Because, as this series has proven, two alpha males on one team leaves teams susceptible to locker room division and playoff collapses. 

Kind of like the Lakers used to be when Shaq and Kobe ran the ship.

Only Erik Spoelstra is no Phil Jackson.

And you don't need to remind me how beloved Dwyane Wade is in South Florida. I know he is the most responsible for Miami's one and only championship. I know he single-handedly put Miami basketball on the map. I know if it weren't for him, Chris Bosh and LeBron James would never have even put Miami on their wish list.

But, I also know that this Heat team is at a crossroads after Game 3. 

Just like last year, all the adversity they could ask for is back on their shoulders. Meaning: Game 4 will be a huge fork in the road for this franchise.

Win, and everything is back to normal.

Lose, and there's no telling what may happen.

Just remember that the defining moment of Miami's playoff season will come back to that two-minute sequence.