The split between LeBron James and the Miami Heat appeared to be both amicable and understood. In recent days, that’s come into question with Chris Bosh making headline-stealing comments.
It started with Bosh telling reporters that he hasn’t spoken with James since the four-time MVP signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers, per ESPN. Bosh proceeded to tell Ethan Skolnick of Bleacher Report that recent Cavaliers acquisition Kevin Love would have to sacrifice to play alongside James.
James has since responded.
LeBron: “I haven’t seen them. I talked to D Wade, obviously I haven’t talked to Chris, but I talk to D Wade but I haven’t seen him.”
— Joe Vardon (@joevardon) October 10, 2014
Slow down for a moment.
These could be perceived as fighting words, but this is more about basketball than it is bickering. As is the case with any combination of stars, players will have to sacrifice for the better of the team—some more than others.
That becomes an entirely different animal when a star-studded trio is formed and a specific individual has the offense built around him. That was the case with James in Miami.
In the season prior to the formation of the Big Three, Bosh posted averages of 24.0 points and 10.8 rebounds. It was the fifth consecutive season in which he averaged at least 22.3 points and the third time in four seasons that he averaged double-digit rebounds.
In his first season with the Heat, 2010-11, his numbers dipped to 18.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game and his usage rate plummeted from 25.9 to 21.0. That trend continued throughout his tenure.
A major reason for his steady decline in touches and opportunities was the presence of both James and Dwyane Wade.
Love enters Cleveland in a very similar situation to the one that Bosh experienced in Miami. He’s supremely productive, but Love will be a secondary, and at times tertiary, offensive option behind James and Kyrie Irving.
As his production potentially declines, Love could face the same criticism that Bosh was subjected to. It’s often without a solid basis in its nature, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
Perhaps there is bad blood, but in terms of Bosh’s comments about Love playing with James, it’s factual: when three stars come together, at least one will see their production suffer.
Jeremy Lin: Kobe’s Protege?
Whether you love him or hate him, few players in NBA history have ever had a stretch of time as explosive or invigorating as Jeremy Lin’s infamous, “Linsanity.” He set the media capital ablaze with his remarkable performances, doing everything from dropping 30-plus points and hitting game-winners.
In the two seasons since, Lin has struggled as an off-ball point guard alongside a ball-dominant 2 in James Harden. He put together two quality seasons with the Houston Rockets, but Lin failed to live up to the star-level expectations.
In 2014-15, Lin will be a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. He’ll see significant playing time and further develop his brand as both a cultural star and relatively young basketball player with upside.
According to Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report, Lin has found something that he lacked in Houston and with the New York Knicks: a mentor.
“[Kobe Bryant] cares about all the little things,” Lin said. “It’s like the stuff that he talks to me about, I didn’t ever think about it. Little stuff. I’m, like, ‘Oh, OK. That’s one way to look at it.’ He’s challenging me to expand my perspective.
“I think that’s really important, and that’s something that I love doing. It’s a blessing that he’s here in the same locker room.”
“It’s just nice to have somebody who’s pushing me and helping me, teaching me the tricks,” Lin said. “It’s also nice when he’s one of the best to ever do it, even on the defensive end.”
Kobe Bryant is just about the best possible mentor to have.
Bryant is a five-time NBA champion and league MVP with 16 All-Star Games, 15 All-NBA selections and 12 All-Defensive Team appearances. He’s commonly referred to as a Top 10 all-time player and, even coming off of severe injuries late in his career, is expected to play well.
At 36 years old, it appears as though Bryant is comfortable taking on the veteran leadership role.
“Jeremy’s biggest challenge, which he loves, is that I’m really going to challenge him to be a great defensive player—because he can,” Bryant said. “He has the speed, he has the length, he has the size. He has never had to take on that challenge, but I think he can be a great defensive player.”
If Lin can get that part of his game right, he’d return to being a full-time starter.
Despite having the tools to be a good on-ball defender, Lin has underwhelmed in that area of his game. He’s underrated as a team defender, but when it comes to man-to-man action and the position Lin plays, his defense has been a liability.
With a strong, but not elite offensive presence, that imbalance must be corrected.
Under a head coach, Byron Scott, who’s had no shortage of success in developing point guards, Lin has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to truly elevate his game. Scott has coached the likes of Kyrie Irving, Jason Kidd and Chris Paul, while Bryant is a willing mentor.
Linsanity may or may not return, but Lin appears to have finally found a basketball home.
Around The League
- Boris Diaw of the San Antonio Spurs has one of the most unique contracts in all of sports. According to Amin Elhassan of ESPN Insider, Diaw has incentives in his contract for his weight. He’ll make $150,000 if he weighs 254 pounds or less on October 25. He’d make another $150,000 if he weighs 254 pounds or less on the first Tuesday after All-Star Weekend. Finally, Diaw would make an additional $200,000 if he weighs 254 pounds or less on April 1. Aim for 245 and give yourself some wiggle room, Diaw—it’ll pay off.
- Per Sportando, former NBA star Metta World Peace made his Chinese Basketball Association preseason debut with a special fashion twist: he wore shoes with panda bears on them.