What was originally deemed impossible is suddenly reality. After LeBron James made his decision to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami the entire landscape of the NBA was dramatically altered. The basketball world had been bracing itself for this potential doomsday scenario for two years now, but when faced with the actuality of the situation one cannot help but feel overwhelmed.
The question that lingers after Miami was able to hijack the biggest free agency summer in recent memory, is where does the NBA go from here? As Boston continues to age and the King-less Cavaliers are now going to be fortunate to make the post-season, does any team have the talent level to stand up to this squad that would make the Justice League uncomfortable?
The long answer, yes.
All the hoopla and craziness surrounding James’ decision has enough to make any fan sick to his or her stomach, but now that this is reality there is nothing left to do but look ahead. While the rest of league may seemingly be crumbling at the feet of the Miami Heat, there is one team that the Heat should still fear.
In fact, the entire league should fear this team. This is the team that has won back to back NBA Championships. This is the team that has the best coach in the NBA calling the plays from his orthopedic chair. And this is the team that still has the best player in the NBA lacing up his signature sneakers every single night.
There are still plenty of questions surrounding the Miami Heat. They currently have only four players under contract. The coach of the Heat is an inexperienced infant in terms of the coaching hierarchy. And the biggest question of all, can the newest “Big 3” work together to bring the Heat another championship?
When looking at the Los Angeles Lakers, these questions don’t exist. Sure there are roster spots that need filling, and injury concerns that may arise. Overall, however, the Lakers rule the Western Conference, and until somebody beats them, the NBA as well.
Next: The Renewed Importance of the Regular Season…
The main thing now is to look ahead to the upcoming NBA season and try to decipher the code that Miami just used to lock-down three of the best players in the league.
Now, while confidence is certainly key for Los Angeles, that doesn’t mean there is nothing to be worried about. The formation of this super-team is going to present a hearty task for the Lakers to overcome if they want to claim their third consecutive championship in the summer of 2011. However, while many teams are now deemed irrelevant after the assembling of power in South Beach, the Lakers have the talent and the experience to match up with the Heat.
First of all, the regular season now has an extreme amount of importance for Los Angeles. The Heat will hit the ground running, and early projections have them winning as many as 66 games during the regular season. The battle for home court advantage in the NBA Finals is going to be a large issue, and the style of play the Lakers use in the regular season may end up hurting them.
It is no surprise that LA takes games off during the course of the 82 game marathon from October to April, but that may spell trouble in June if this trend continues. The importance of home court advantage in the NBA Finals was never more prevalent than it was merely a month ago, when Los Angeles dispatched Boston in Games 6 and 7 to claim the NBA crown.
The championship drought of LeBron James is going to drive his thirst throughout the season, and there is a very good chance the Heat will wind up with the best record in the league when all is said and done. For the Lakers, this will spell trouble if they are forced to go on the road to begin the NBA Finals next season.
How much trouble? Consider this: In the past three seasons the Lakers are 11-0 in playoff series where they held home court. The one time they didn’t? A brutal dismantling at the hands of the Celtics in the 2008 NBA Finals. Clearly this is something the Lakers will want to have in their corner as they make another title run next season.
While home court may be the deciding factor between the seemingly inevitable Lakers/Heat NBA Finals, there are many other considerations that must be examined before saying Miami is indeed the favorite after their free-agency bank job.
Next: Chemistry versus Mathematics…
The first is experience. Other than Wade, who won the title in 2006 against Dallas, nobody else on the Heat has the experience to compete with the championship caliber players that litters the Los Angeles roster. Chris Bosh is certainly an All-Star player, and LeBron James is arguably the best player on the planet, but neither have been able to lead their team when it matters most. This is a trait that is learned through experience, and the Lakers have the upper-hand in this particular category.
The truly alarming thing in all of this, however, is that the Miami Heat roster isn’t even set in stone yet. They still have over half the roster to sign, meaning this task could get much more formidable as more players begin their pilgrimage to the newly appointed Mecca of basketball. Much like Gary Payton and Karl Malone in 2004, veteran players in search of the ring may flock to Miami in an attempt to ride along with the so-called ‘Miami Thrice.’
A positive note for the rest of the league, however, is that the Payton/Malone experiment in 2004 failed for Los Angeles.
So while the challenge of defeating the Heat is already sizable, it could very well get worse. It already has begun in some cases, as late last night free agent guard Mike Miller also threw in his lot with the Heat.
Miami isn’t the only team that still has a chance to sure up the supporting cast. The Lakers still have several open roster spots that have been linked through rumor and speculation with various free agents around the league. If Los Angeles is able to bring in reserve players such as Matt Barnes, Raja Bell, or Louis Amundson they could very well have enough talent to overtake the top-heavy Miami Heat.
Next: The Prodigal Fish and the Missing Puzzle Pieces…
However, I have failed to mention one free agent is particularly important. Derek Fisher.
If the Lakers want to win the NBA Championship again next season they will need to bring back Derek Fisher. Failure to do so could very well have a two-pronged, negative effect. Not only will the Lakers lose their championship guard, there is a strong likelihood that Fisher could wind up in Miami with Wade, James, and Bosh. This would be a sore sight for Laker fans, and would certainly spell trouble in a potential Finals collision.
As I mentioned earlier, the Lakers do have several advantages against this stacked Miami team. Perhaps the biggest and most important is their head coach. Phil Jackson is the most decorated head coach in NBA history. Erik Spoelstra hasn’t made it out of the first round of the playoffs. Phil Jackson has won 225 playoff games. Erik Spoelstra has won 4.
Clearly the Lakers have the edge in this particular facet of the game. The problem that may arise out of all of this is the ever-lurking Pat Riley. While currently twiddling his thumbs in the executive offices of the American Airlines Arena, Riley has been surrounded by much media speculation concerning his potential return to the coaching ranks.
If this was to happen, and Riley was to step back into the head coach position for Miami, much of the edge the Lakers currently have in coaching would be gone. While Jackson is still a more decorated coach than Riley, both are Hall of Fame coaches that know how to handle a NBA roster at the highest level. Don’t forget, Riley has won 5 championships as a head coach in the NBA.
Another spot where the Lakers may have an edge over the Heat is the center position. While it is yet to be seen who Miami will bring in to take up space in the paint, the Lakers already have an established ‘Twin Tower’ duo with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. The key for Bynum, as has been the past several years, will be health.
If the Lakers have a healthy Bynum/Gasol combo they should be able to give the Miami front-court some trouble. Even with Bosh and another starting center, the odds are in favor of the Lakers more-established big men.
Next: The Lord of the Rings…
Now, there is endless speculation and debate over this newly created super power that is starting to stir in South Beach. It reminds me almost of Tolkien’s epic fantasy, ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ The constant battle of good versus evil arises again with a familiar enemy in a new place. For Lakers Nation, the enemy is clearly Miami.
However, for the natives of South Beach the enemy is the same. The constant enemy looming out west under the golden sun.
There is one thing I can say almost certainly – December 25th, 2010. Christmas Day. Lakers. Heat. And you can take that to the bank.