Miami Heat: Identity, Not Unfamiliarity, Is Polluting the Team

The Miami "Heat" are currently 5-4 after their second straight loss at home.

The first loss was against a Jazz team Miami had on the ropes, up by 20 points, before giving the game away to them in a tightly sealed envelope. It was signed: "Ho, ho, ho. Merry Christmas! Be sure and come back now!"

The second loss came last night against the Boston Celtics, a team united by hatred. A team that not only rained on Miami's coming out party on opening day, but even had their fly unzipped for good measure. A team that loves to be hated as much as any other in any sport, ever. Yeah, they basically came into town, took Miami's lunch money, borrowed every Heat player's girlfriend for the night and even the keys to their car and home to boot. 

To their defense, the Heat have gone the politically correct route and said that the players are still getting familiar with each other's game. Excuse me, but didn't we see these guys play effectively with each other in the Olympics? Didn't we see them play in countless All-Star games alongside each other?

Was that an aberration? No! It was temporary. This is permanent. And their friendship has kept them from admitting what the real issue is.

The story here is what we all knew it was going to be all along, even though Wade and LeBron thought otherwise. Who is the man? By the way LeBron, you have officially claimed the throne from Brock Lesnar as the most delusional athlete in sports.

LeBron wants to be the man because he knows he is the most talented. Plus, he has about a few million fans, sprinkled in with a Hall of Famer here and there, that he would like to get back at for all the hate he had to endure this summer. And, well, it's hard to do that when you are playing second fiddle.

Wade wants to be the man because it's his town. His county. His team. He is Paul Pierce, except he is more talented and his facial hair is well groomed.

Chris Bosh simply wants to be a man! Sorry Chris, but people are beginning to ask if you are tweeting on the court because...how do I say this...nothing else is collecting. By the way, read Pau Gasol's manifesto on how to be an enforcer in the middle if need be. Maybe get reacquainted with your matza balls. Heck, drink Dos Equis if you have to. Just please pretend like you care, and you don't belong in the WNBA.

There is only one way to rectify this situation. Wade and LeBron need to decide between the two of them who is going to take a back seat? My vote is for Wade. For two reasons.

For one, Wade is smarter than LeBron. Yes, he is controlled by his ego, but he has some touch with reality. LeBron is a slave to his own image.

The second reason is this: LeBron is the most talented player in the game.

Now, at the end of the game, Wade should get the ball in his hands. He simply is more clutch.

This team doesn't have the makeup of the Boston Celtics. It is more like the LA Lakers. Derek Fisher, while nowhere near as talented as Wade is, had to play the role of mediator between Kobe and everyone else because he had Kobe's narcissistic respect. Similarly, Wade will have to do the same thing.

Because, at the end of the day, it's no coincidence that LeBron and Bosh came to Wade. He is the most natural-born leader of the three. Now, he needs to step up by stepping down.

And until that happens, this Heat team will have no identity. And that is something their elite opponents have become familiar with.