LeBron James’ title count and the Heat’s arrogance at the “Welcome Celebration” won’t ever be forgotten. “But that really was for our fans and it got wonderfully out of hand. And how everybody covered it? They used it as an albatross across our back.” —Heat president Pat Riley, 11 months after the Big Three “Welcome Celebration.” MIAMI – Fairly or not, tonight’s Game 6 of the NBA Finals is a referendum on the Miami Heat’s Big Three of LeBron
Heat forward LeBron James has led the Heat to the NBA Finals for a third consecutive year, and now they have a chance to become a team for the ages. MIAMI – It took longer than expected, but the Miami Heat have earned a third consecutive trip to the NBA Finals. The Big Three, along with coach Erik Spoelstra, came through in their biggest game of the year. Now, the real work begins. Now, this Miami foursome begins
MIAMI – NBA playoff games are rarely won in the third quarter. Thursday was an exception. LeBron James made sure of that. James, the Miami Heat’s superstar forward and the undisputed Best Player on the Player, had 16 points, four rebounds, four assists and one block in the third quarter of the Heat’s 90-79 Game 5 Eastern Conference finals victory over Indiana. “That’s LeBron showing his greatness and making it look easy,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Think about it this way: LeBron’s
MIAMI – This was the best player of his generation doing what he now does best – win. When Heat superstar LeBron James drove the lane against Indiana and made a game-winning layup with no time left to give Miami a 103-102 Game 1 Eastern Conference finals victory in overtime, he sent the crowd at AmericanAirlines Arena into a frenzy and the Pacers into a stunned funk. “He continues to amaze, I think, the game of basketball, the world of basketball,” guard
MIAMI – I’m through doubting Dwyane Wade. I’ve done it a few times over the years for various reasons – knee surgery, shoulder surgery, ankle injury, etc… — and Wade, the Miami Heat’s superstar guard, always comes back strong. We saw it after his injury-shortened 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons, we saw it in last year’s playoffs, we saw it in the second half of this season. We saw it again Wednesday in the Heat’s 94-91 Game 5 second round series-clinching victory over
MIAMI – There’s no worry among the Miami Heat over their 93-86 Game 1 loss to Chicago on Monday. But on the Day After, there did seem to be some steely resolve from the defending champions to do better in the “effort” areas. Blend that with a healthy mix of “we’ve been here before,” and you have the tone of the chatter that followed the Heat’s practice Tuesday at AmericanAirlines Arena. [Read more…]
MIAMI – The 12-0 run. That was all it took to separate the men from the boys in the Miami Heat’s 98-86 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Tuesday’s Game 2 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series at AmericanAirlines Arena. And two bench players – forward Chris Andersen, a.k.a. the Birdman, and guard Norris Cole – led the way. Not LeBron James, not Dwyane Wade and not Chris Bosh. “It’s not surprising,” James said. “That’s what they bring, that’s what our bench
The Bucks are going to sweep the Heat. OK, I’ve gotten your attention. I am only joking. This series should be a joke in and of itself, with the best team in the entire NBA taking on the team that finished with the 18th-best record in the league. [Read more…]