Utter disappointment. Sheer frustration. Frequent tension.
Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh are a part of a mediocre Miami Heat team.
After eighteen games this season, the team has posted a 10-8 record. The Miami Heat, who once looked like a shoe-in for the title, are shaking their heads at the way their season has begun.
The Heat are in the middle of the pack in almost every statistical category in the league, including their record.
They have three of the best ten players in the game. The team looks dominating on paper. How can this be? There are a few factors influencing these results:
Leadership: The squad is lacking leadership. Lebron James and Dwayne Wade have not proved to be complimentary parts. Wade, who has always led by example, has failed to do so this season. He has appeared hesitant at times, proving his discomfort playing side by side with King James.
They play the same role in the offense. Before Monday night, the two players have been on the court for sixty five minutes together. During this time, the Heat have been outscored by thirty eight points.
All of the Miami Heats’ players need to start holding each other accountable. They need to step on each other’s feet in order for changes to occur.
Chemistry: The Heat are 1-7 against teams above .500. Fans are saying players need time to mesh as a team. I do not buy into this particular theory.
The Boston Celtics are a perfect example. The Celtics traded for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in the 2007 NBA offseason. There was no hitch in the team’s chemistry. The Boston Celtics started off the season 29-3.
They ended up winning 66 games, a 42 point turnaround from the year before. And yes, they won the NBA title. The USA Olympic team does not have much time to practice before entering world competitions.
They mesh as best they can and produce victories. It is purely a scapegoat for Heat fans to say the team needs more time to interconnect.
Roster Depth: The Heat spent nearly 45 million on a 58 million dollar salary cap on three players. Their big man is undersized and old; Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Their guard is not getting the job done either; Carlos Arrojo. The Heat’s competition has further depth.
As far as coaching goes, I predict that there will be a change in the near future. Spoelstra is feeling the pressure, and he is beginning to panic.
In that type of atmosphere, players are not able to practice relaxed and a great deal of strain is put on everyone to succeed. I believe Lebron’s bump is a sign of disrespect for his coach.
Spoelstra is not the guy to manage these bloated egos, and he will be replaced by Pat Riley in due time.
There is still more than three-quarters of the season to go. The Eastern Conference is feeble.
The Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic are the most gifted out of the bunch. If the Heat can carry on at the pace they are at, they will make the playoffs.
However, I do not believe they boast the chemistry or depth needed to advance in the playoffs. The Miami Heat sure look illustrious on paper, but the game is won and lost on the basketball court.
Editor’s note: Statistics accurate as of Tuesday, Nov. 30.
Tim Shanahan can be reached at tshanahan@spartans.ut.edu.