They say the older you get the more you reminisce of the "good ole days." I can just image the 65 yr old Pat Riley daydreaming while watching his Miami Heat competing hard just to be average the last two seasons. And as Riley began to wheel and deal during the off-season it became clear he was a man with a vision; however not towards the future but back to the past. Riley wanted to be young again. In a span of two weeks the NBA looks a lot like 1983 it has a team in a glamour city, lead by a young coach, built around 3 future HOFs, and destined to begin a new dynasty.
For NBA fans during the 1980's when you heard the word term Showtime images of fast-breaks started by Magic and finished with no-look passes to Kareem and Worthy are paired with Pat Riley demanding his team to go faster and harder. Now for a new generation of NBA fans the decade of 2010's the term Showtime will come to represent the Miami Heat led by Lebron, D-Wade, Bosh and Spoelstra doing their best 80's Lakers impersonation. While I understand the comparation of LA's 3 and Miami's 3 doesn't exactly fit position wise and unlike the 80's Lakers all three of Miami's players are in their prime. Riley's desire to relive his glory days is clear.
Prior to Magic's arrival in LA Kareem Abdul-Jabar had been with Lakers for 4 years, had been several years removed from his one NBA title, was a dominant offensive and defensive force and one of the best players in the NBA. However, with the addition of Magic Johnson in '79 then James Worthy in '82 the LA Lakers went on to become the team of the 80's. During the 7 year span the 3 played together LA went to 6 Finals and won 3 championships. Throughout the majority of this 7 year run Magic, a dynamic 6"9" point guard, a superstar before even playing in the NBA, and a magnetic personality was their best player. Kareem their leading scorer early in the run and although his body began to break down he always remined "the captain." Worthy, mostly remembered as the 3rd option was vital to their success as evidenced by his 1988 Finals MVP and 7 all-star appearances. And Riley was their 38 yr old defensive head coach with slick hair, designer suits and a personality befitting LA.
So it's not hard to see Riley seeing the similarities. Dwyane Wade-"the captain" who is several years removed from his one NBA championship and in all of his greatness is surrounded by perpetual fear that if he has to carry the load he will break-down physically. Chris Bosh-the reliable 3rd option, perennial all-star, who will never win a regular season MVP, however with the right match-up could feasibly win a Finals MVP. There is Erik Spoelstra a 39 yr old defensive head coach with slick hair, designer suits and a personality befitting Miami. And lastly there is Lebron James a dynamic 6'8" point forward, a superstar before even playing in the NBA, a marketing gold mine who will be the Heat's best player but serve as their best facilitator.
Although, many criticized Lebron for not being more like Michael or Kobe keep in mind Magic is viewed as a step below MJ and either equal to or better than Kobe. Also, if someone is your idol such as MJ is to Lebron you never see your-self better than them, so why try. You can't win so just be you. But what Lebron can do is win the Greatest Team argument. Even at the height of
Jordan's dominance the best '90s Bulls team would lose to the best '80s LA team in a 7 game series and it wouldn't even be close. Thus with the Heat, Lebron gets to showcase the all-around nature of his game and do something that will separate him from all others; that is dominate the NBA defensively and offensively as a scorer (last six years) and as a facilitator (next six years). And most importantly he will lead Miami to multiple championships and usher them into the greatest team debate.
Fittingly after the Heat's salary cap wizardry, Wade said "3 is a magical number," alluding to his new teammates and his own jersey number. But what Wade was really saying was...Magic has returned to the NBA. Showtime!
No comments:
Post a Comment