Here's the question to ponder, how many league MVP candidates did the
San Antonio Spurs have on their team last year? Answer 0. Here's
another question, what did the Spurs do to the team (OKC) with this
year's league MVP? Answer they got wiped. What did they do to the team
with the League MVP runner up and former multiple time league MVP?
Answer we got wiped.
Here's what the Spurs proved: the Chicago Bulls' model of the 1990s
won't get the job done in 2014 and beyond. The Heat really lost its
identity this year, the 2014 team looked more like the 2007 Cavs and
(unfortunately for James, he's going back to exactly that...again).
James had to carry the load for the majority of the year, and he just
didn't get much help in the finals.
The problem with having the best player on the planet is just that
tendency for his teammates to sit back and watch while he gets double
and triple teamed in isolated initial one on one match ups. This year's
Heat team just didn't play team ball (while we did this to near
perfection in 2012 & 2013), we mainly played Lebron James' one on
one ball, a really easy defensive assigment for any coach to figure out,
especially when he doesn't get any help.
Here's what the Heat will be forced to do now as a result of James leaving for his home town. Play team ball and they'll need a stronger deeper bench, in essence trying to clone the San Antonio Spurs.
Riley has laid the foundation, the bench is beginning to look
stronger with Granger & McRoberts (and McRoberts can pass well).
Additionally, Wade and Bosh (with Lebron gone) will get more touches and
as a result their collective scoring averages will go up. Bosh's
rebounding numbers will also climb considerably (without competing
against Lebron).
So what do we need to regain in terms of offense? Basically they will
need to find a starting lineup combination that will cover James' 27
points a game. Wade and Bosh together will more than likely cover 10-12
points of that with the increase in touches, so now we just need a free
agent who averages around 15. I think Pau Gasol (who does fall into this
category) would fit in with this new system (a Spurs clone) perfectly,
plus Gasol can pass and rebound well. Additionally having a player from
Spain, might draw a crowd in Miami.
Add in the excitement rookie Shabazz Napier can bring, we should be just fine, in fact it's possible we could be a better team next year.
I can't fault someone for wanting to go back to their hometown and
wish Lebron well, but it's not likely to happen in Cleveland anytime
soon. Again, James is walking into a situation with a owner who just
doesn't know how to build a champioship caliber team, and the revolving
door with new GMs and coaches won't help.
It's funny to hear sports'
writers talking about how much James' carried the Heat this year (and
they are right in this) but then without mentioning how much he'll need
to carry this young Cavs team, He'll have to work twice as hard now.
It was a great historic run these past 4 years...but we're not done yet!
