The Miami Heat were up fifteen points with seven minutes to go in Game Two of the NBA Finals Thursday night and they blew it. I'll give Dallas a lot of credit because they took advantage of the Heat's inefficiency and ignorance. That's what champions do. Champions never give up and as soon as their opponent slips up, they make them pay. Champions hit the three that Wade hit in the corner to put the Heat up fifteen. But, then they end any hope of a comeback. There is all of this talk about a dynasty in Miami. The only problem is I cannot recall a collapse like this from any dynasty. Did the Lakers do this in their three-peat at the start of the decade? Does anyone remember the San Antonio Spurs giving up a fourth quarter lead like that? Would Michael Jordan let God himself come back from 15 points down with 7 minutes to go in the fourth quarter of a Finals game? The answer to all three is no. Great teams don’t do that. Great players prevent that from happening. The so-called “Big Three,” they became the “Big” 1. Down the stretch the Miami Heat became the 2007 Cleveland Cavaliers. Everyone clear out; so Lebron can take over with his magnificent jump shooting ability. The problem is, Lebron James couldn’t hit a jumper in 2007 and he couldn’t do it last night. Dwyane Wade had 36 points and got one shot in the final seven minutes. Wade has learned to defer to James, but I think it is pretty obvious that James is still fighting with the idea of deferring to Wade.
Dwyane carried the Miami offense through three and a half quarters. Then, Lebron held the ball, did NOT run the offense and cost his TEAM the game. If Lebron ran the offense and drove to the basket I wouldn’t be writing this article. The Heat would be up two games to zero and ESPN Radio would not be asking its’ listeners if Mark Cuban will win his first NBA title at home. There has been a lot of uproar about Bosh not fouling Dirk on the last play. But, it shouldn’t have come down to that. Lebron needs to realize that he doesn’t always have to be the man to win the game. It was over, done and James decided he wanted to add some drama to the finals. I don’t think there is any question Miami is more talented and they have a good shot to still win the series. But, why would you give a very experienced Dallas team momentum, knowing that you have to go back to Dallas for three games?
Wade has to be the closer, regardless of these playoffs and what Lebron has done. Miami HAS to take two out of three games in Dallas. If they do and come home with the series lead, they should win the series. Miami needs to play their game from start to finish. The Heat need this title, because without it the media storm will shoot through Lebron, Wade and Bosh. Everyone thinks "The Decision" caused uproar. Just imagine if this collapse is what ends the Miami Heat's championship aspirations. That is not something I want to deal with. Lebron, Wade and Bosh need go get game three, from start to finish and leave no doubt.
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Wade needs to set the tone in Game 3 and make sure
he delivers a Miami Heat Victory. |
