We
all know that Lebron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade can tear it up on the
basketball court. From their ferocious dunks to silky smooth jumpers, they have
definitely made a name for themselves. They are the Big 3. With each earning a
whopping $16 million salary, I guess you could say the public supports their
pretentious nickname.
However,
I must admit and yes, I know I am risking being shunned by all loyal Heat fans
by saying this... I am not a fan! With the Big 3 clumped together on one team, they rid the league of a
significant amount of competition. I predict that the effects of this will
eventually become very evident in the NBA.
First,
the Big 3 discourages the other teams in the league. When put face-to-face with
James, Bosh, and Wade, who really stands a chance? Well, the Pistons, for one,
undoubtedly do not. In last night’s game (April 8th), the Heat put
the Pistons away in Miami, 98-75. The Heat crushed the Pistons, and this was
even with Wade sitting on the bench with an ankle injury! The title of an
article about the game truly says it all: “Pistons Vs. Heat: LeBron James Too
Much For Detroit.”
No
one wants to watch the team they root for get crushed. What happens instead?
The fans give up! The fans that do attend the home games versus Miami Heat are
most likely just going to see the Big 3 in action. They go to see a game.
However, it’s not the game of basketball. Instead, the audience basically goes
to witness a slaying! They enter the stadium, knowing the end result.
Doesn’t
that defeat the whole purpose of professional basketball? Isn’t it supposed to
be about the “best of the best” competing against one another, both with an
equal chance of winning? When the Miami Heat are involved, the odds are pretty
much set from the very beginning, and let’s just say, they’re not in favor of
the other team.
In
addition to discouraging the other players in the league, the competition
aroused by stacking the Heat with the Big 3 also deters the other players on
the Heat. James, Bosh, and Wade will ultimately receive the credit for the win
anyways, so what’s the point of the others trying?
Yes,
the collective effort of the team is necessary to achieve the win. Rationally
thinking, each player understands that his efforts are important. However, game
after game, when all of the recognition is given to the Big 3, I’m sure the
other Heat players start to feel slightly depreciated. This feeling of
depreciation will lead to a drop in confidence, which, in turn, will result in
poorer performance.
In
the article about last night’s game, Jason Walker includes: “James and the Heat
had to get things done.” Yes, LeBron James is a superb athlete. However,
doesn’t it take the whole team’s efforts to “get things done”? Apparently not
in the Heat’s case.
Along
with poorer performance, I think that the Heat will soon be dealing with a lot
of internal animosity, as well. The Heat appreciates and admires the Big 3;
these three powerhouses are a great asset to them. However, I believe that this
admiration will soon turn to jealousy and feelings of bitterness.
As
a team, the players are looking out for the welfare of the Heat as a whole.
Nevertheless, it is still human nature to place emphasis (arguably even greater
emphasis) on one’s own wellbeing. I think that the lack of recognition and
misattribution of credit will cause the other Heat players to resent the Big 3.
Internal hostility will destroy the dynamics of the team and, as a result,
hinder their chances of winning a championship.
Furthermore, by
placing James, Bosh, and Wade on one team, Heat fans have become prouder than
ever. Have they become a little too proud though? Do you think the Heat will
continue to give their fans a reason to be proud? Or, will the unbalanced
placement of the Big 3 on one team cause the Heat to dwindle into a circle of
jealousy and animosity?
Most
people steer away from any bashing of the Big 3, especially when it’s about
Lebron. He is
King James, of course. However, I went there. I opened it up for debate, so
here’s your chance to state how you really feel about it.
Great post Brooke! Personally, I cannot stand the Miami Heat. What the Big Three have done is almost unheard of in professional sports. While I admire their drive to win an NBA championship, joining together is, to me, cheating the system. If you are a true superstar, you should be able to take your game, and your team, to the next level...BY YOURSELF! The Dallas Mavericks of last year were a perfect example. Dirk Nowitzki carried his supporting cast of teammates all the way to the NBA
ReplyDeletechampionship, even though they weren't as skilled as the Miami Heat.
James, Bosh, and Wade have taken the easy road to an NBA championship, but I don't think they will get the same satisfaction out of their victory if/when they win. They took advantage of a broken salary cap system, and I truly believe they will be one of the most disliked championship teams of all time if they happen to come out victorious.
Okay I first want to say that I'm not a huge NBA fan and I don't follow the league closely but I don't think this is true at all. By "stacking" a team doesn't mean they are automatically going to take over the league and destroy all other teams. They are just one of 30 teams in the NBA, and if fans are going to stop supporting their team cause of a couple games are they really fans?
ReplyDeleteAlso I think that it doesn't deter the players on the other team because it allows for other players to rise up and take up a challenge. They are in the NBA for a reason and if they don't want to compete against or with the best then why are they playing?
Lastly, I think that every team has one or two marquee players, and the Heat just happens to have 3 that are all hyped players. These players on every team get the spotlight for the wins and success so its not something that's new that's happening with the Heat. With that being said I see your point of view, but I just don't dont agree with it, there are more than 3 great players in the league. But this was a good post, it starts a good debate.
I am a huge Dallas Mavericks fan so I agree with Mark! Although they are some of the best athletes in the league, it takes more than three powerhouse players to win a championship, and the Mavs proved that last year. It takes a whole team effort and a lot of team chemistry to make it all the way in the NBA and by the three stars stealing the show and maybe even creating competition between the three, there's no way they will be able to last in my opinion. There have been other teams that have been stacked with great players such as the Bulls in 95-96 with Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman, and the NBA still exists and is as important as ever. I personally am not a fan of the Heat, but everyone has their own opinions obviously.
ReplyDeleteI think that team-building is an important aspect of the game of basketball. While I do not relish the thought of any team but the Los Angeles Lakers winning a championship, the fact of the matter is that great teams have been an important part of NBA history, and is something that will undoubtedly continue on in the future, regardless of how "fair" it is. This is because of the fact that at the core, NBA players are competitors- and competitors want to win. If they are unable to do so alone, then in order to satisfy that desire to win, they must take measures that may include sharing the spotlight with others, if it means that they will be successful in the end. The NBA has been full of strong teams, whether you look at the Jordan/Pippen example, or Stockton/Malone, Kobe/Shaq, or Pierce/Garnett/Allen. It is simply ingrained into the culture of professional basketball.
ReplyDelete-Alexander Chen
I cannot agree more with your comments. I think that what the heat have done, especially Lebron James with his "decision" was beyond ridiculous for the game of basketball. I think that these three guys take away from the competition in basketball they have taken harsh criticism for it. AS a bulls fan, I hate the heat and everything they stand for. In chicago we have built a team around one superstar, with a bunch of other role players around him. When I see our team succeed, (have a better record than the heat) I wonder why its fair that the heat are able to have three of the most dominant players in the NBA when they aren't as good as a team like the Bulls. The big three continue to be villains in the NBA and many dislike them because of the attitude they bring to the NBA. While I like watching Dwayne Wade play, I hope that the big three never win a championship, just because of the way that they conducted themselves while forming their team in south beach Florida.
ReplyDeleteWhen the “Big 3” was formed and Lebron announced his decision to play in Miami and Bosh was traded from Toronto for 2 first round picks, I at first thought to myself, “Great its like the Monstars from Space Jam.” With a starting 5 of Mario Chalmers, Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, Chris Bosh, and Hudonis Haslem, the Miami heat had the most lethal team in the NBA.
ReplyDeleteSure they had a run to the championship in 2011, which ended in a loss to the Mav’s, but to say that they don’t have a competition is bold. The Heat have to compete with the first place Chicago Bulls, an on-fire Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks, the original Big 3 with the Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, and the Sixers all in the Eastern Conference. Not to mention Kevin Durant and the Thunder, Kobe and the Lakers, and the always strong Spurs representing the Western Conference.
Anything can happen come playoff time and that’s when the real question comes in… Can Lebron get it done or is the “king” all hype?