The Miami Heat had a four-year run from 2010 to 2014 that will not be soon forgotten by NBA fans, writers, analysts, players or historians. Chris Bosh, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade formed, “The Big Three,” and took the Heat to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, winning two titles.
The ride was phenomenal, but it had its ups-and-downs for everyone involved.
James, a four-time MVP, joined forces with two of the league’s premier players at the height of their abilities. Wade had already won a Finals MVP award by the time James showed up, while Bosh averaged 24.0 points and 10.8 rebounds in the season prior to forming the Heatles.
Together, that trio became the collective face of the association. With a run that prolific, however, not everything is going to be peaches and cream; not under the magnifying glass that Miami was examined with.
Just ask D-Wade.
In an exclusive interview with Ethan J. Skolnick of Bleacher Report, the 10-time All-Star made a shocking statement: the final season of The Big Three’s reign, “Wasn’t fun.”
“It was great, you know, we went to the Finals four years in a row, and it was everything we wanted from that standpoint, but sometimes throughout that run, at certain times, it just wasn’t fun,” Wade said. “Individually, it was great having certain relationships and having my best friend here with me, but all of us didn’t have fun all the time.
“I think now I’m at the point where I want to enjoy the game. Because once I’ve won three championships and been so successful, you’ve got to have something to play for. And I want to be able to play for my teammates and just the joy of the game.”
The obvious follow-up question: why not?
“I don’t know,” Wade said. “It’s hard to say, man, because you want it. We wanted it. So it’s hard to say that. You don’t know exactly what’s going to come with it, but we put ourselves in that position. But sometimes you can put too much on yourself, all of us, and it becomes a black cloud around. Last year wasn’t fun. I mean, there was no stretch of it [that was] fun. That whole season, to me, it’s amazing we made it to the Finals. It’s just honest.
“Just this year, coming in, I can see, even in the coaches, there’s just a different renewed focus and energy. No one knows what it’s going to lead to. No one knows if that’s going to lead to a Finals win or Finals loss or not the Finals at all. But right now it’s good for everyone to come in every day and want to be here.”
Whether you like what he’s saying or not, you have to appreciate an athlete being so candid.
In a title-hungry sports society, it’s always fascinating to enter the mind of a player in the actual pursuit. Wade has made five NBA Finals appearances, won three championships and took home a Finals MVP award with one of the most iconic performances in league history.
Regardless of what happens from hereon out, Wade will go down as one of the greatest shooting guards ever. He’ll also find his way into the Hall of Fame and maintain his status as a marketable player.
Suddenly, chasing titles doesn’t seem like such a big deal.
Wade’s comments are not to be misconstrued with a disinterest in winning games. The trio of Bosh, Wade and Luol Deng is of enough caliber to make the playoffs with the three All-Stars balancing one another’s game.
If Wade isn’t having fun along the way, it won’t matter. Nor should it.
Having spent 11 seasons in the NBA, Wade has done it all. After facing a slew of injuries, the 2009 scoring champion is expected to be healthy enough to avoid a strict games limit in 2014-15.
Here’s hoping that this coming season is more enjoyable than the one before.
Ohio State Scouting LeBron James’ 9-Year-Old Son
The sport of basketball is an ever-evolving game. Part of staying ahead of the curve is discovering and studying new trends before the rest of the sport develops an understanding of them.
Sometimes, that process begins a little too soon.
According to Ohio State Buckeyes beat writer Eric Seger, men’s basketball head coach Thad Matta said LeBron James Jr., the nine-year-old son of four-time NBA MVP LeBron James, will be on his radar.
Thad Matta said LeBron James, Jr. “will be” on his radar for recruiting. The kid is 9 years old.
— Eric Seger (@EricSeger33) October 2, 2014
James Jr. wouldn’t be available for another eight or nine years. That’s called planning ahead.
There’s a good chance that Matta made the statement in jest. There’s also a chance that the name, “LeBron James,” holds so much weight in the state of Ohio that Matta was genuine in his comments.
For what it’s worth, LeBron James Jr. already has his own highlight tapes.
Seriously, though. Already?
Around The League
- Los Angeles Lakers swingman Nick Young has suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb, per Mike Bresnahan of The Los Angeles Times. In 2013-14, Young averaged a career-best 17.9 points per game and sank 135 3-point field goals. He’s expected to miss six-to-eight weeks of action. That could be an entire month of action.