Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics: Changing of the Guard in Eastern Conference
It’s no secret. The clock is ticking on the Boston Celtics. Although they’re all above-average players, there’s no further upside for Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen. Everyone within that organization knows a rebuilding phase is imminent, and these playoffs mark the core roster’s final attempt to replicate their 2008 title run.
Like a fine-tuned killing machine, the formation of the Miami Heat’s “big three” occurred with one goal in mind—the destruction of every team in their path standing in the way of a championship. Many assumed this would eventually come to fruition, but not immediately.
While diehard Heat fans had no doubts their team would be in title contention this year, many experts believed it would take two to three years for a championship celebration to reach South Beach.
This sounded like a logical assessment after such a mediocre start, but pairing two of the top five players in the NBA together automatically empowers that team to overcome any opponent on a given night. We also can’t lose sight of the fact that Dwyane Wade already led his team to a title in 2006, and LeBron James singlehandedly carried the Cleveland Cavaliers to the finals in 2007 with a joke of a supporting cast.
The puzzle may still be missing some pieces. However, taking into consideration the unselfishness of James and Wade, they are capable of extracting maximum productivity from run-of-the-mill teammates.
Indeed, the bulk of the Heat scoring is done by James, Wade and Chris Bosh, but it's primarily because opposing defenses have no answer for them. They are all willing passers and won’t hesitate to get others involved when a big-game situation calls for it (e.g. Heat reserve James Jones’ 25-point performance in Game 1).
Despite the Chicago Bulls’ winning rampage led by MVP nominee Derrick Rose, Miami’s focus on the defending Eastern Conference champions has been unwavering; since day one, Boston has remained the optimum target in the Heat's crosshairs. Due to their veteran leadership, experience and noble coaching staff, the Celtics entered the 2010-11 season as the favorites to represent the East again.
They had a tumultuous second half of the season, but Boston still managed to shake off the rust in time for their first-round playoff matchup against the New York Knicks. Although they were extreme underdogs, it was widely reported that a Knicks upset was not far-fetched. The Celtics proved all the skeptics wrong with a series sweep and restored their reputation as the preeminent team to beat in the conference.
There is no guarantee that the Heat will defeat the Celtics en route to the Eastern Conference Finals. But, having just toyed with the Philadelphia 76ers and taking the first game at home against Boston, Miami has its eyes on the prize.
If Mike Bibby and Mario Chalmers can continue to limit the effectiveness of Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, the series will be much more favorable to the Heat. Boston center Shaquille O’Neal has been on the back burner, but if he can get healthy enough to play, that could pose a major problem for Miami. Without any big men capable of handling O’Neal in the paint, he could really open up the floor for sharpshooters Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.
We can only speculate whether the aging Celtics can still compete in a potential seven-game set with an opponent featuring two of the most athletic and explosive stars the sport has ever known. After all, at just 1-0, it's still too early to tell. Besides, Doc Rivers has been known to develop some supreme defensive schemes that have shut down even the most formidable scorers.
This series offers a little bit more incentive for LeBron James. Following last year’s Eastern Conference Semifinals debacle, he has quite a bone to pick with the team that embarrassed him in what was ultimately his final act in Cleveland.
It is that same series which Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert infamously claimed James quit on his team. James will undoubtedly come out with a fire previously unseen to prove to his former boss and the haters in Ohio that they lost an irreplaceable talent.
In keeping with this weekend’s royal festivities, just as Prince William will one day take over for his father as ruler of the British Empire, the Miami Heat have begun the transition to succeed the Boston Celtics as the premier team in the Eastern Conference. Through the triumvirate of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the basketball gods have granted them the divine right to do so.
