Can we even have a rational discussion about the Miami Heat anymore? Is that possible? If we criticize Lebron James it turns into a “you’re mad that he’s not on your team” or “what more do you want from him, he scored 30 points?” argument and it gets no where quick. Its weird what has happened in today’s NBA that superstar Lebron James has to deal with the fans wrath and the support of columnists who claim to go more in depth than ever before thanks to incredibly deep statistical breakdowns and shot charts and mathematical formulas that prove how efficient Lebron James is. How about, how he makes the right decision almost 90% of the time data?
Last night’s Pacers victory wasn’t just an indictment on the Miami Heat but also on this very notion that gets stuffed under the rug and created the same dull point that every reporter or blogger goes to: “If Lebron James had the game that Dwayne Wade had, he’d be on a national rotisserie”- Greg Cote, Miami Herald.
Yes its true but….wait, why is that? Is it because Lebron James hijacked ESPN for a primetime special to announce his new digs? Is it because, he and Wade threw a parade in Miami and gosh darnit how did those cameras get in there and capture all the footage and air on ESPN and live on in youtube infamy? Is it because Lebron was wooed by a number of teams and fan bases clamoring for his services despite ample evidence that he had made his decision years ago? Maybe its this legion of NBA fans who thought that Lebron would channel his inner Jordan and felt betrayed by the fact that he went to another superstar’s team and decided to play Robin to someone else’s Batman when he should’ve asserted his will?
Those are all arguments to make but, that was two years ago. Fast forward and two years later Dwayne Wade is STILL getting the better end of the deal. And three years later when their contracts run out I imagine Wade will walk away from this deal, one ring or no ring heavier and still have the same reputation of warrior, closer and everything else Lebron James is NOT. By almost every single measure Lebron James is the best player in the NBA and its not close. He had a PER rating on par with some of the greatest seasons in the NBA and rightfully won his third MVP in four seasons and yet night in and night out he plays with a 100 pound weight over his neck of silly criticisms that don’t bear out when you look at the body of work OR at what he does on a nightly basis.
He guards the other team’s best scorer. He runs point for 90% of the game. He grabs rebounds. He pushes the pace. He scores 25-35 on a nightly basis and does that all while everyone else seems to give Wade a pass for any non-star like performance. If Lebron has a bad game its the first thing on Sportscenter and the first and last word on First Take. The obvious flaw is that Wade is supposed to be on par with Lebron on this star ship. He’s as guilty of courting other teams during that summer of love, 2010 despite having that plan cooked up with him, Bron and Bosh and yet he never sees half the amount of criticism. Why? Because he has a title?
Oh, and don’t get me started on that title. If this season has done anything, its shown that perhaps Miami’s post-basketball careers are already on the way. Grab your agents. Avengers 14 due out in the summer of 2023 should star Lebron, Wade and Bosh with their ability to act like they were hit with a taser and smacked in the head by a baseball bat on a simple screen. Some people call it savvy. They are superstars and they know they will get bailed out by some ridiculous call by an official who knows the league wants them to cater to their superstars.
But Wade’s performance last night was weird for a few reasons. One, this myth that Wade is a nice guy just isn’t true. Wade has always had a mean streak which has helped his game and will eventually shorten his career. He attacks the rim with reckless abandon and usually lands right on the injured report on a consistent basis. His years of banging bodies has really taken its toll. He was considered the next tier of stars, along with Chris Bosh in that 2003 draft and has, in some people’s minds, jumped ahead of Carmelo Anthony because of his commitment on the defensive end. In truth, Melo is a better offensive player, and most won’t question that, but defensively Melo rates a soft 2 while Wade is a hard 8.* His foul on Darren Collison wasn’t borderline flagrant, it was a flat out dirty play which should’ve warranted a suspension but we all know the league is not about to sit out one of its best players during the playoffs. This isn’t the first time he’s done this either. His elbow shove wasn’t a physical play it was a dirty shot made by a hot tempered athlete who loses his cool at times and makes plays warranting suspensions and yet time after time he gets away with it. Don’t give me that Wade isn’t a dirty player. He’s not gaining a reputation, at this point he’s collecting royalties on that rep.
*= Yes that was a strong suggestive sexual remark and yes, it was meant to be said. Think about it. Don’t think too hard. Oh wait, I did it again.
Secondly, his little argument with Erik Spolestra was destructive for one simple reason: it brings up this notion that he is not capable of running this team like Pat Riley had hoped. Riley doesn’t want to come out of retirement. Its obvious. Maybe he knows he can’t control this team either. Or maybe he’s just tired and old and doesn’t have the energy to do it. Either way, Wade’s blow up will not be easily swept under the rug. Not with the supposedly superior Heat team trailing the best of 7 series 2-1. Not with the way the Heat lost and not while Chris Bosh is out for an extended period of time without a timetable given for his return.
Wade’s temper tantrum at his coach, who I believe called him out for not getting back on defense, was the right move by the coach-wrong reaction by the player that can get a team in trouble. Spolestra HAS to assert his power on this team and if he has to step on toes to do it then that’s what he has to do. Wade getting in Spolestra’s face and acting like he wants to duke it out with the coach on national television in Indianapolis not only shows you the level of frustration he was feeling that entire night but the reaction by the announcing team shows you how protected Wade is by a national media that adores him. Hubie Brown went back to him being frustrated. Mike Tirico talked about how much of a competitor he is.
Wait WHAT? No! He bitched out his coach. He has already committed a flagrant foul worthy of a suspension. He was shooting an 0-fer in the game and yet you want to pooh pooh Wade for having a bad game? Its amazing how far you can get with a Colgate smile, a nationally run set of T-Mobile commercials, TV friendship with Charles Barkley*, a stylist, and a ring can get you. Oh and not to mention having the most polarizing athlete since Wilt Chamberlain on your team. That helps too. Wade has been saved by having all these things working for him and the media can say whatever they want, but they have never dropped the hammer on Wade like they do to Lebron on a nightly basis.
*= Chuck has carte blanche to say what he wants, when he wants to whomever he wants. I watched Bones for half an hour waiting for TNT to do a live cut-in of the TNT studio where Charles Barkley was going to go ape shit on D-Wade and the Miami Heat for playing lackadaisical. But I had…..BONES. These are the nights when Charles and Kenny are clutch and go IN. How come they do that for the Knicks and not the Heat? WTF CHUCK?
But this morning Lebron is thankfully not on the minds or conscience of the national media. Nope its Roy Hibbert. Not Wade blowing up and acting like a baby and completely tuning out in the second half. We are subjected to Roy Hibbert and the Hibbert face. Listening to interviews with the gentle giant while rose petals and daisies come flying out of his eyes. The Heat got owned by THIS DUDE. Don’t get me wrong, Lebron had a dirty moment as well. Yes, Danny Granger needs to stop drinking fifteen red bulls before coming on the court to Lebron, but he had every right to wonder where the referees eyes were while ringing HIM up for the technical while not acknowledging that Lebron had raised his elbow and held it there like Jordan taking a last second shot in Utah. Or Mario Chalmers, who happens to be a good defender but a guy who tries to get in everyone’s face or talk shit to the wrong guy. This time, knocking the ball out of David West’s hands to purposely annoy him. Those are the stupid, childish things that Chalmers does that works well to draw technicals. Credit him for taking advantage of how pumped up West was on that play.
But last night was not about them. It was about Wade. Please national media. For once. Be fair. Hammer Wade. And maybe, next time the league sees another one of these, the league won’t be stupid and will actually do something.
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