NBA: The Heat Wipe Their Tears against the Lakers, but Who Will Weep in the End?

Last summer, the Miami Heat “rolled-out” to a rock concert-type atmosphere, with a huge stage, smoke machines, the whole nine yards. Now, in March, not even eight months after the Heat formed their version of the “Big Three,” everyone from coast-to-coast is questioning the validity of the Heat. 

And nobody likes a cry baby. From what Erik Spoelstra said following Miami’s fourth straight loss this week, a few of the guys in the locker room were “crying.”

Who cries after a regular season game? Honestly, it could not have been a deep bench player. Simply put, they do not have enough invested in the game emotionally to all out bawl.

After all, none of us said the Miami Heat was going to win upwards of seven NBA championships with this new squad. Even the common fans expected the Heat to bawl.

Now all the talk is about the Heat “bawling.” At this rate, Miami, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh need to focus first on winning one title—not multiple.

The Heat showcased against the two-time defending world champion Los Angeles Lakers. Although Miami carried a five-game losing streak into the contest, Wade guided the Heat to its second victory over the Lakers this year.

Remember back on Christmas, the entire Lakers team and coaching staff voiced their displeasure for, once again, playing as the featured game. Many wrote that game off as a half-hearted effort by the Lake Show, and it was.

However, last night felt like a playoff game. Perhaps the Heat desperately needed to taste victory. Dwayne Wade sure acted like he needed that win, and he did.

Chris Bosh openly criticized his shot selection and offensive statistics. The Lakers allowed Bosh to score 19 points in the first half. That alone is a story.

But of course, we can’t forget “King James.”

Wade played well and finished, because he had a playmaking facilitator in James. James is at his best when he penetrates and sets up shots for teammates. Just look at his assist numbers last night. 

Miami is a better product on the court when Wade is featured, LeBron sets up “Flash” and when Bosh is showing some resemblance of physicality in the low post.

All three of those styles were featured against the Lakers.

Maybe the Heat was trying to make a statement by beating the Lakers, again. On the other hand, it had to be a goal to defeat a winning team. 

In the end, the only winning teams will be playing for the golden ball when it matters most.

And you better believe the Lakers will be looking forward to a rematch under those circumstances.