Miami Heat: The Heat Still Won, and Why LeBron James Should Not Apologize
Since LeBron James rightfully took his talents to South Beach, the basketball world (fans and we, the media) examined the Miami Heat with the finest detail, greater than a jeweler studying his or her diamonds before they attempt to sell the precious item.
A portion wanted to see The Three succeed, while the masses anticipated witnessing the Heat fail.
While wrapping up the series at 4-2 in Game 6, the eventual NBA Champions, the Dallas Mavericks, dismantled the Heat—105-95—on Miami’s home court.
The basketball universe had a party and slept soundly that evening, knowing The Three failed to win it all in their first season together. Even experienced and well-respected columnists dropped their guard as professionals and allowed their inner fan to come out after the game’s result.
Well folks, there is some good news and bad news. The good news is, the better team won the NBA title. Two of the NBA’s greatest players, Dirk Nowitzki (the Finals MVP) and Jason Kidd, avoided suffering the same fate of many greats who never won a championship.
The bad news is, according to the backlash, the Heat did not lose.
The media and fans are similar to children at times when it comes to hearing what they want to hear. When a child is told to stay out of the street, they only hear "the street," and they will run onto it. But if they are told to stay on the sidewalk to avoid tragedy, they will stay on the sidewalk.
When James said “not five, not six, not seven” championships, he never said starting this year. The Three (not the Big Three, because they have not won anything, yet) only signed to be with each other for six years. Common sense should have clicked that this 26-year-old millionaire was living the moment and talking out of his head.
James is a public figure, however, and we in the media tend to hold individuals to their spoken words—but not always every word.
Should James apologize for “The Decision” and past comments? Not at all, and that includes the infamous words from his post-game conference.
“At the end of the day, all the people that was rooting on me to fail—at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today,” said James after Game 6. “They have the same personal problems they had today…
“They can get a few days or a few months or whatever the case may be on being happy about not only myself, but the Miami Heat not accomplishing their goal, but they have to get back to the real world at some point.”
Many didn't like James since “The Decision,” when he decided to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Heat. They didn't like the fact that he left Cleveland to join two other All-Stars, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
The majority, who did not blame James for leaving, did not approve of the announcement via a national televised audience.
Individuals with power tends to do crazy things at times. But if the opportunities are there, people with great influence exercise their advantages. Taking advantage of them is not wrong, especially if their actions don't harm anyone or destroy lives.
The reaction to James’ postgame conference comments displays how many Americans feel about professional athletes.
Professional athletes continue to be frowned upon by many individuals in society as not having a true occupation. Watching men and women playing children's games is great entertainment for all, but they are not respected as a true success story.
This may because they didn't finish school or climb the corporate ladder like a businessperson, teacher, doctor or lawyer. And to top it off, many professional athletes are millionaires or make six figures because they are greatly skilled with a ball. This angers many in today’s society.
Many people in society want professional athletes to be humble and grateful for the income they make, and be silent. For the most part, professional athletes are.
Unfortunately, James is probably now viewed by many to not be humble after his comments. He was basically saying the drama with the Heat and him is over, and it’s time to move on until next season.
Countless of other public figures make statements that appear to make them arrogant and are not held accountable to them—why should an athlete be held accountable?
The Heat’s bench was always a concern as a support system for The Three. NBA experts knew the team would need to make changes.
Thanks to the Mavericks, the Heat organization knows what type of pieces to put around The Three to help bring titles to South Beach. Some big, physical players and shooters who would be willing to play in a system that requires defensive commitment is what the Heat need.
When the Big Three for the Boston Celtics assembled, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen battled for years and never won, so they knew what it took to win. The Heat’s trio has not been around long enough to witness such heartache like the Celts. For Miami, going to the finals was truly an overachievement this past season.
Purely off talent and skills, The Three just to see where they were at. Thanks to the Mavs, The Three now know where they stand, and they will attempt to improve their individual play and chemistry.
“You can't just say, "OK, since you're a driver, I'm just going to become a shooter," said Wade on Tuesday in the team’s final press conference of the season, according to The Sacramento Bee. "That's not what the organization wants me to be. That's not what we want (James) to be. That's not what our fans want. Obviously being similar players, that makes us dynamic. That makes us a special team because we have similar capabilities.
“No one can come in and just automatically be great at something,” he continued. “Obviously, it's been teams that won a championship in their first year together, but those are real, real veteran guys. They have to really be great complementary players to each other."
The Heat will not have a major issue getting out of the Eastern Conference next season, thanks to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that may hinder a part of the 2011-12 season if the NBA owners and players union cannot agree in a timely matter.
The new agreement will ultimately force the salary cap to be lower. This means that no team will be able to replicate what the Heat accomplished last offseason, which was brilliant.
No team will be able to sign three major free agents, but will be fortunate to sign one. The Chicago Bulls will not be able to sign a major free agent due to the players they have under contract. The Celtics and, probably, the New York Knicks, depending if they can sign Chris Paul or Darren Williams, could be the Heat’s only threat. However, the Celtics' key players are older and the Knicks may not be ready to take that next step.
Unlike this past season, the Heat and James will be settled into their roles.
“That's only going to get better as we get comfortable with each other and as our games continue to grow," said Wade. "Obviously for LeBron, he'll even be more comfortable next year in his surroundings. I'm sure it wasn't easy for him to just make that adjustment to being in this new situation.”
In the big picture, the Heat’s loss to the Mavs was probably the best thing for them, because they will gain appreciation of the journey.
The Heat will have to replace seven players who are unrestricted free agents. Mario Chalmers was extended a qualifying offer Wednesday, making him a restricted free agent. This puts Miami in position to match any team’s offer during the summer.
“We’re encouraged by Mario’s progress,” said Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra after the team’s exit meetings, according to the Associated Press. “He’s a combination guard and he’s a guard that can start under the right circumstances. He’s also a great fit coming off the bench because of the energy that he provides and his ability to change the game, either with his scoring or defense or playmaking, and that’s a unique quality to have coming off the bench.”
The Heat will be a handful for their opponents for years to come, and they will be great for the NBA.
James does not have to apologize for his decision, actions and comments nor change as a person—but he does need to make some changes in his game.
Sure, James was disappointing in the finals, but he didn't let anyone down outside the Heat organization.
We, the media and the fans, anticipated James to perform on the level of Michael Jordan. When he falls short, the people with high expectations should be disappointed in themselves. James never stated he was like "his Airness"—just the public.
Furthermore, when James polishes his skills, watch out.
Later, the basketball world will reflect on the 2010-11 NBA season and understand exactly why that year was a victory for the Heat. A title, or two or three, will soon be a reality.
