LeBron James Miami Heat: Why the King Can Average a Triple-Double in 2010-11
With less than 48 hours until the NBA season gets underway when the Miami Heat visit the Boston Celtics, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are itching to finally get on the court. Since early July, Miami Heat fans and NBA fans alike, no matter their opinion of the controversial free agency period of 2010, have been eager to see what the Miami Thrice can accomplish on the court.
Wade, James and Bosh have all proven themselves individually. The three have combined for numerous all star appearances, all-NBA teams and NBA MVPs; however, only Wade has an NBA championship under his belt. Consequently, the Miami Thrice is not only striving for a dominant regular season, but anything short of an NBA championship will be considered a failure.
LeBron James has the most to prove of the three. James has won two consecutive NBA MVPs and is arguably the league's best player—perhaps even the greatest player of all time. Yet, the NBA championship has eluded James despite fantastic regular seasons throughout his career.
With so much motivation and talent surrounding LeBron, here is why he can average a triple-double in the 2010-2011 season.
The Shooters
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Mike Miller may be gone for two months, but the Heat still remain packed with shooters who LeBron can hit for easy assists. With the King facing consistent double-teams, he will need outside shooters who can knock down open jumpers.
Eddie House remains one of the league's top three-point threats. House in his second stint with the Miami Heat will surely be one of the first contributors off the bench. If House's ability to hit open three-pointers translates to the Miami Heat offense, LeBron will be able to rack up the assists. Similarly, James Jones is known as one of the top three point threats in the NBA.
Zydrunas Illgauskas will continue to stretch defenses with his terrific mid-range game.
Even new addition Jerry Stackhouse will still be able to hit the open jumpers created by LeBron's penetration and distributions.
Pat Riley clearly knew what he was doing when he constructed this team. By surrounding LeBron with accurate shooters and three-point threats, Riley has given James the opportunity to fill up the assists column to an even greater degree than he did in Cleveland.
LeBron at the Point
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Mario Chalmers is not going to dominate any opposing point guards. Carlos Arroyo is not striking fear into the hearts of opponents either.
With neither of coach Erik Spoelstra's point guard options emerging as consistent contributors, LeBron James will be handling an increased role at the point in some lineups. With the increased ball-handling duties, James will have an opportunity on a nightly basis to pick up double-digit assists consistently.
LeBron's ability to draw defenders to him will create open looks and numerous passing lanes to hit his teammates for open shots and easy layups. With time at the one rather than at his traditional forward position, LeBron will be charged more with distributing and creating opportunities rather than scoring directly.
Joel Anthony and His Inability To Rebound
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In the preseason this year, Joel Anthony has truly struggled with rebounding. His averages have been far below what Pat Riley envisioned when he signed Anthony to a five-year extension in the offseason.
Without a strong rebounding presence from the center position, LeBron will be charged with a far greater role in rebounding the basketball as well. If Udonis Haslem or Chris Bosh play center, an undersized lineup will also force LeBron James to stay close to the basket and remain on the boards.
James' athleticism will allow him to rise above even the largest of opposing players to grab rebounds. He will have to for a Heat team that lacks true rebounders after Udonis Haslem and Chris Bosh.
LeBron's Defense
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No, LeBron James is not going to average double digits in blocks or steals, but his defense could provide him with the opportunity to average a triple-double.
How?
By creating turnovers on the defensive side of the ball, LeBron will be able to hit Dwyane Wade and other Miami players on fast breaks. Consequently, James will be able to boost his assists totals through his defensive efforts.
With his quickness and athletic abilities, LeBron can step into passing lanes and block shots off the backboard and then send them down the court for easy assists. LeBron may always have had this ability, but with Dwyane Wade running on the court next to him, he will have someone with similar abilities to play an up-tempo style of basketball.
Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh
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The simplest and most essential reason LeBron could average a triple-double this season:
Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh
Never before has a trio with as much talent stepped on an NBA basketball court. Through playing with Wade, LeBron's assist totals will skyrocket. While Wade is one of the most effective slashers in the game, he has one of the most deadly jump shots in the game as well. Additionally, Wade will be able to catch alley-oops and do things without the ball that nobody in Cleveland could ever imagine doing. The formula is simple. LeBron James averaged 8.6 assists per game last season without Dwyane Wade. Add in one of the best shooting guards to ever play the game, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see how James' statistics will be affected.
Bosh is simply just the icing on the cake. Since Bosh has joined the Heat, many detractors seem to have come out nit-picking with criticisms of the power forward with multiple all-star appearances. Entering this summer, Bosh was the third most desired free agent behind Wade and James. Now that he has joined the Heat, critics have claimed that Bosh is behind Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer and even David Lee talent-wise.
Bosh has the capability to post up or shoot over defenders from outside. He can beat opponents in multiple ways. With so many weapons in his arsenal, it is easy to see how Bosh's presence will allow LeBron to further create opportunities through passing rather than his own shot.
Conclusion
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With so much motivation entering the season, LeBron will be out to prove a point. As LeBron mentioned through tweets, he has been keeping track of doubters and detractors throughout the offseason.
Will motivation be enough?
No
The triple-double is a daunting task that few NBA players have ever accomplished. To average a triple-double is an entirely different story.
LeBron James, however, with a combination of size and athleticism as well as court vision and basketball I.Q. has an opportunity to make basketball history. Whether or not James can accomplish such a feat remains to be seen, but one thing is certain:
If anyone has a chance to do it, it is the King.
