Ok so we had all this hype about the Big Three of the Miami Heat. There was much anticipation about the season self proclaimed dynasty in the making. This was the perfect game to kick the season off with. So now that game one is in the books, did it live up to its hype? How did the new-look Heat do?
Miami struggled and stuttered-stepped in the beginning, but showed signs of what’s to come. With Dwayne Wade getting hurt 3 minutes into the pre-season, the Big Three haven’t had much time to play together. I don’t really see this lost as a disappointment like others. I believe it may take maybe as many as 10 games or so to establish their collective swagga. They are going to learn and feel each other out as they go; the NBA’s equivalent to on the job training. On-the-job training is the acquisition of skills within the work environment generally under normal working conditions, I think that’s what we are seeing with The new-look Miami Heat!
Many said, Lebron James wasn’t going to be able to be Lebron we are used to on Miami. But at one point to me it looked like Wade and Chris Bosh were bystanders it was Lebron’s team. I think you will see each member of the trio have their nights, but Lebron showed, when he needs to he will take over the game. It almost looked like Lebron in Cleveland having to do it all, which won’t work in SouthBeach. The other 2/3rd of the trio have to step it up and I expect them to, in the next few games.
For the Heat to be the dominating force it’s believed they can be, Dwayne Wade is going to have to bring his A-game, every night. Wade struggled on opening night, but I don’t expect we will see much more of that the rest of the season. He will find his stride in the first 10 games. Bosh will also have to deliver, and I believe he will as well. Pat Riley, even if he isn’t officially coaching, knows how to bring the best out in his players.
I think the difference in this game was the familiarity of the Boston Celtics, even with the addition of Shaq. Their big three and cast of supporters, know each other and have been in battle together. But don’t get it twisted even with the Celts having more chemistry together; they almost let the Heat who are still struggling to find their identity right now, come back twice. Once letting them cut it to four points and then again to three points a few minutes later. This has all the makings of a major rivalry, the Clash Of The Titans in the East. All roads in the East will run through these two cities. I do think Orlando can’t be slept on and could be a sleeper, with all the hype around the Heat. But as of now I still don’t see Superman and company, getting past either Boston or Miami.
To sum it up, this may not be the start the Pat Riley wanted, but I believe it’s too early for all the over rated shouts the Boston fans were yelling. This was Lebron James, opener with Miami after seven years with his hometown team The Cleveland Cavaliers. This was the first time Dwayne Wade actually played a game with both James and Bosh. I believe the Men In Black will live up to all the hype after a little on the job training.
