If the basketball gods like us just a little, they’ll throw us a bone and make sure LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers face Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat.
Oh my, how the times have changed in the National Basketball Association.
Not that I condone physical violence or anything, but doesn’t it also feel to you that the competitive fire we once saw is now hardly present? They used to crave and build upon it in monster games. Instead, the new set of mega-ballers would rather play patty-cake than actually get up in another’s face.
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
Exhibit Larry Bird, who’s in a category of his own:
Could you imagine Michael Jordan deciding to team with Charles Barkley and form his own Big Three? Nah, he’d rather step on the throat of the best than join the best.
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Nevertheless, maybe, just maybe, a Cleveland Cavaliers–Miami Heat first round playoff matchup could help us spike the competitive edge in this league. If the playoffs started today, that’s exactly what the matchup would be in the No.2-No.7 bracket of the East.
Why couldn’t it bring a little edginess to the table? All the ingredients are there.
Looking at it from a Cavs point of view, that’s the last thing they should want.
Although his two NBA championships have allowed the public to forgive and forget, let’s remember for a moment who LeBron James is. For all of his ridiculous talents and other-worldly abilities, he has oftentimes fizzled on the biggest stage.
LeBron simply just puzzles us at times.
How about the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics? In Game 5 he contributed with 15 points and shot 21 percent, in his last series during his first go-around with the Cavs.
Or let’s discuss his God-awful performance against the Dallas Mavericks during the 2011 NBA Finals? Yes, the one that Dirk Nowitzki came out victorious after LeBron and buddy Dwyane Wade put on a “Dirk-Heckling” performance for the cameras during practice.
The point is, the man has had some issues in between the ears during the most critical of times.
Does Cleveland want to see James have to face his former team and good friend Wade right off the bat?
A resounding NO would be the answer.
The first-round of the playoffs should be just that: the simplistic first-round of the playoffs.
For a season that has seen such a roller-coaster of emotions, the Cavs have to be thinking a much more nondescript matchup would be welcomed. Wade’s clutch playoff past is only the icing on the cake for reasons to not want Miami right away.
King James Gospel
Sure there’s no Chris Bosh, and of course it would take a minor miracle for Miami to actually upset this Cleveland team in a seven-game series. Moreover, the attitude for the remainder of the regular season should and will be “bring on anybody.”
Still, having the media puff up about this dream scenario so quickly into the postseason is something LeBron and his boys would rather avoid all together. They’d welcome the Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, or even the Indiana Pacers with open arms.
Although, playing devil’s advocate, maybe Wade and the Heat logo is just what LeBron needs to start his 2015 postseason with. Perhaps it could spark some of that Jordan-Bird nastiness we came to love decades ago – propelling LeBron to his greatest postseason ever.
Sorry LeBron, but as fans we’re all in for the matchup.
Basketball gods, please appease us.
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