In what is becoming a recurring topic for this blog the Miami Heat lost their 4th consecutive game on Sunday to the Chicago Bulls who finished their season sweep of Miami with their third win over LeBron and Co. Much is being made of Heat coach Eric Spoelstra's post-game comments where he admitted that Heat players were crying in the locker room but I feel there's no point in addressing that, LeBron is a baby and everyone already knows that.
A more telling story about the Miami Heat I feel has been the team's shooting percentage in the 4th Quarter with less than 10 seconds to go on shots that would tie or win the game so far this season. The Heat this season are shooting 5% percent (1-18) in those situations highlighted by LeBron's 1-7 and Dwayne Wade's 0-5. It's no secret that LeBron lacks the killer instinct needed to come through in the clutch that was pioneered by Michael Jordan and is on nightly display at the Staples Center in Los Angeles with Kobe Bryant but I expected more out of Wade who has a ring.
When LeBron chose to sign with Miami I felt the only way they would be successful would be if LeBron acquiesced the ball to Wade at the end of games when a big shot was needed. LeBron can't hit big 3's (he would have won a title in Cleveland if that were the case) and even his last two game-winning attempts in which he drove to the basket (easily his best skill) were turned away. I think it's becoming clear that no matter how hard they try Wade and LeBron simply cannot play together. Things look all well in good when the Heat are moving the ball up and down the court in transition scoring highlight-reel dunks but the good defensive teams in the NBA (aka every single title-contender) have caught on to their success and have been able to slow the Heat down.
The Heat are suffering when they are forced to slow down into a half-court game and are becoming handicapped by their lack of consistent auxiliary scoring. They have some good shooters in the form of Mike Miller and Mike Bibby but their playing time is diminished because they are not good defenders who can balance out the offensive games of the Big 3. The Heat must find a way to change their gameplan successfully and they must do it quickly. If they continue to struggle in the remaining 20 or so games of the regular season they could find themselves fighting the Atlanta Hawks for the 4-seed in the East instead of the Celtics for the 1-seed.
Tell us how you really feel about LeBron.
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