LeBron James, the Miami Heat and the Return to the Mistake by the Lake
It must feel like hell has frozen over in the bowels of Wade County. The once sunny outlook of instant championships and boat rides under the balmy skies of Biscayne Bay has turned sour. Instead the newly assembled core of the Miami Heat feel the searing pain of having to subjugate their game. The Celtics made it look easy with the "BigThree," after all. It is about balance and chemistry not just talent.
This is not what Pat Riley or Eric Spoelstra had in mind during the overstated pyrotechnics of LeBron James's decision to take his talents to South Beach. I am sure they heard the stories of James's passive-aggressive tendencies and the litany of NBA coaches that were in his wake. They also knew that the opportunity to get this once-in-a-lifetime talent was too much temptation for them to resist.
Riley and the Heat had the inside track because of Dywane Wade's relationship with James. Now that he is in the fold, the anxiety and stress level of the whole organization has risen. This newly assembled cast often looks lost and disinterested, and by the time they turn off the snooze button it is too late.
Fans are clambering for Riley to take over; but the minute he does, James would have effectively won, thus making it his organization.
Photos off James's body language while standing next to Spoelstra and the bump-gate situation show the ugly side of over-indulged athletes.
Let’s face it: No matter who your favorite player is, we have to admit they are all egotistical, self-absorbed people. They have to be in order to survive as professional athletes. They spew carefully crafted sound-bites off about how it is all about the team; however, very few are able to put that thought into action.
It seems that Wade and company are having such a battle.
The sins and indiscretion of youth prevent them from having the instant success that they boldly spoke off. This has been replaced by sour looks and equally dour moods. The motley crew that Heat management has assembled shows that role players are equally important to a championship drive.
It also points out that the "Miami Thrice" did not come into this with the right mindset, and it begins with LeBron James. His personality alone is powerful enough to make Wade start doubting Spoelstra and make Pat Riley squirm in his high-chair.
The word is that Coach "Spo" will make it through the season because he is taking the lumps in order to get LeBron to understand that he isn't in Cleveland anymore.
Riley will then bring in a more seasoned coach and former player; Nate MacMillan and Doc Rivers are on the short list. But if the Celtics win the championship this year I doubt Doc will be on the market.
For now we all wait for LeBron's first foray into the visitors' locker room at Quicken-Loans Arena. This is an arena that Wade raves about where the opposing team is served a postgame meal of chicken wings. I doubt the Cleveland Cavalier organization will accommodate him on that regard.
LeBron may have the best game of his life on Thursday, but it will take an emotional toll on him. The team he left on the altar is gunning for him. The Heat have no inside presence, and that is where the Cavaliers' strength lies. Andersen Verajao and J.J. Hickson will present problems with their mobility.
Moe Williams will be raining threes on the hapless Heat guards, thereby forcing Wade and LeBron to be all they can be once more. The fans will add to the already rabid atmosphere that James inadvertently triggered with his unceremonious exodus to the Miami Heat.
On the other hand, this may galvanize the Miami Heat and propel them to the greatness that everyone has preordained for them.
