This scene isn't even exciting anymore... |
I think it comes as an appropriate time to rip the Miami Heat to shreds for being one of the league's most un-interesting teams. This loss to a devastated, Rondo-less Celtics team doesn't mean that the Heat are all of the sudden going to fold like a plastic chair, finish fifth in the East and get swept in the first round. I'm not saying that, but I am indicting them as an overly boring entity with far too much National TV time for anyone's good. And where does this start? Of course, with LeBron.
With the Team Hate LeBron phenomena sort of dying out as he continues, with ease, to prove that he is the best basketball player on the planet (I only consider two players even remotely in his stratosphere, Durant and 'Melo). His domination of the game is absolutely unparalleled, no doubt, but it comes almsot too easily to him. Right now LeBron is on cruise control. An average of 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the league's best player is chump change, effortless for a guy of his skill. If James wanted to average a triple-double he would average a triple-double. I have no doubts in my mind he could do that. I'd go as far as to say he could average 30, 10 and 10 if he wanted, but he understands the longevity required to successfully complete an 82-game season and 20-25 playoff games. You can't play at an eye-popping level like that for 100+ games. However, another factor that adds to LeBron's low regular season entertainment value is actually how he plays the game.
James isn't a dominant scorer like Carmelo Anthony or Kevin Durant and he doesn't dazzle you like Rondo or CP3. He's probably as boring of a superstar as I've ever witnessed. The game comes so easy to him and he is so freakishly athletic that every play he makes looks like a cake walk. Everyone is wowed by his cake walks, but that doesn't mean they're not sick of it. I understand the backhanded nature of this compliment, but it's true and it annoys me. A guy hitting wide open, aging three point shooters because of his unbelievable penetration abilities (too strong, too fast) isn't fun. Neither is him beating his opponent of the dribble for an easy layup, or the same dunk we've seen a million times (cock it back and try to destroy the rim). It's like Blake Griffin dunking these days, his game just gets old.
Now don't mistake all of this boring talk as a knock on 'Bron's game. The dude is the best in the business and if you try to argue with me, you're absolutely delusional. But the 40+ National TV games for this team is too much. People don't care about LeBron losing as much as they used to, Dallas already took care of that right hook to the jaw we all wanted once these clowns had danced on stage talking about winning 100 championships. I know I'm not the only one who doesn't care that the Heat are on TV unless they're playing my team.
Again, don't mistake this for a shot solely at LeBron. His teammates do very little to add to the entertainment value. For one, Dwyane Wade is on the decline. Yes, he is still averaging a nice 21, 5 and 5 but his body is wearing down. He no longer is the vicious, unstoppable penetrator that he used to be. Now he settles for jump shots that don't fall at the rate his finishes used to. Chris Bosh? Well, Bosh has quickly accepted his role as third fiddle and is actually playing extremely well this season (most likely a product of LeBron). But again, is his game exciting? No absolutely not, watching his lanky frame flop around and knock down 18-footers isn't fun to watch. The rest of the team? No thank you. 3-point shooting Ray Allen is a snoozer. Norris Cole and Mario Chalmers are seriously overrated and Rashard Lewis is...well...Rashard Lewis.
Is this a ridiculous complaint? Yes, it is. Although, it doesn't mean it's not reality. The Heat have 13 more nationally televised games (TNT, ABC, ESPN) and while they are all "marquee" matchups, I personally will be boycotting all of them except for the games against the Knicks. Laugh at this article all you want, but next time you're sitting on your couch watching the Heat play the intensely over-covered Los Angeles Lakers think about what you read today. You'll be nodding your head in agreement, thanks to their ugly jerseys, mundane players and "you-can-hear-a-pin-drop" quiet arena.
And just shoot me if they win another NBA Championship. At that rate every single one of their games will be on National TV.
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