2010 NBA Preseason: LeBron James and Chris Bosh Shine in Debut with Miami Heat
Last night there was a moon over Miami.
No, it wasn't a remake of the great Hollywood musical, starring Betty Grable, Don Ameche and Robert Cummings. It was the opening night of the much anticipated new thriller: "Miami's Big 3," starring LeBron R. James, Dwyane T. Wade and Chris W. Bosh.
The most talked-about basketball ensemble since the 1992 U.S Olympic "Dream Team" made their preseason debut against the Detroit Pistons at the American Airlines Arena, and from beginning to end the excitement inside the arena rivaled that of a playoff game.
James, Bosh and Wade began a new era in sports history that may never be seen again in this generation.
Sure there was the Pistons of the 80's, the Bulls of the 90's, and both the Celtics and Lakers dominated more than once in different decades. But LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh are in a class of their own. Outside of Kobe Bryant, they're arguably 3 of the best players in the NBA, and with each still at the prime of their games, the expectations to achieve greatness is now.
This season.
Right away.
And last night, we saw a glimpse of it, and what could be a nightmare for the other 29 teams in the league.
I know, I know...it was only preseason, but it was still a basketball game, and they were keeping score, and from the opening tip-off you could see the Heat's prowess over the Pistons.
On both sides of the court, the former Eastern Conference powerhouse Pistons were outmatched as LeBron James slashed, jumped and dunked his way to a 17-point, 4-assist, 3-rebound and 2-steals night in just 27 minutes of play. Bosh added 20 points and 6 rebounds of his own, while Wade donated 2 before leaving 3 minutes into the game due to a hamstring pull.
In the end, preseason or not, the scoreboard read Miami Heat 105, Detroit Pistons 89.
Yet the story of the night wasn't even the scoring. It shouldn't even be D-Wade's hamstring—which he'll rehab in time for the 2010 regular season opener.
The real story in Miami last night was the talent, athleticism and exemplary defense this Miami Heat team displayed in their first game together. Compared to the average performances the team has put together over the last three seasons—since its championship run in '06—the talent on this current Heat roster was as evident as a full moon hovering over the Miami skyline.
They were simply faster, quicker, more confident, and dominant from top to bottom. They were what Pat Riley hinted this team could be: The best in the NBA, or, at least, very very good.
But for all the naysayers who said the Big Three couldn't play together, that they couldn't share the limelight of South Beach, and that they wouldn't fair well in the Riley system of team basketball: Eat your words. Because even if it was for the three minutes that they were all on the court together, the newly, reconstructed Heat looked like a marriage made in basketball heaven.
The stars are aligned it seems and the stage is set. This team can be something better than special. They can be epic.
Last night was proof of that, and perhaps of six more magnificent seasons to come.
And for the rest of the NBA, it's not going to be a good thing.
