What's next for the Heat's Big 3?

[Proudiddy]

The Big 3 is no more. Someone from that group is leaving... and even if they didn't, Wade is no longer what he was when they first joined up. It's done. From the stuff Wade has been saying throughout the year, and then Lebron's non-committal answers after losing the Finals, I think it's clear they know Lebron is going to explore his options, and Bosh likely will too. Bosh is more likely to stay if his role/status is increased and he told Dan LeBatard that he loves it there... but, I'm almost certain Lebron is leaving.

People have to get it out of their heads that the greatest player in the game wouldn't switch teams, not once, but twice, to pursue a championship... because really, that's what a lot of these guys are going to do. It's a different generation.

[Mojo]

Spoelstra got outcoached pretty badly. As for the bench, eh that's a stretch, and honestly just shifting blame. They just won back to back championships with those guys that are apparently "years removed from being effective".

 

They have Ray Allen to thank for the game 6 win in last years finals. Now he's a scrub? That's funny.

 

Lebron chose to go to Miami, and immediately put the high expectations on his team with the "not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven" quote about how many championships they would win together.

 

It's one thing to lose the finals, but to lose the way they did is just embarrassing for all involved, including Lebron.

 

The bench is actually a legitimate argument.  They underperformed that's the whole point.  That's part of the reason the results are different this time around.  All credit to Spurs and Pop though, because wow. 

[Guest]

If the big three opt in, would the T-Wolves do a trade involving Bosh and Wade [plus possible draft pick] for Love and Martin?

If that happened the base would be Martin (SG), LeBron (SF), and Love (PF). If they bring back Chalmers he's a solid enough ball handler, but equally if they keep their first round pick they could look at Napier or Ennis if he's still on the board. If they then bring back Ray Allen cheap, he'd been a solid player for them. They could look at a defensive stopper like Sefolosha who can play SG and SF. Then look at sorting out a solid center, perhaps grab Gortat if they can afford to make these moves. It would leave them with:

PG: Chalmers or draft pick / Cole

SG: Martin / Allen / Sefolosha

SF: LeBron / Sefolosha / Beasley

PF: Love / Beasley / Lewis

C: Gortat / Haslem

If they can bring back Anderson as well, they could feasibly retool this off season and rebuild on the fly around LeBron. I don't think this scenario will happen, but they could persuade LeBron to stay by showing the ambition to build around him with top tier free agents and bring in players that can improve their weaknesses from last season.

That said, it wouldn't surprise me to see LeBron opt out. He'd be best off staying in the East so he has an easier road to the finals. Not sure which team, we could be an attractive landing spot, or so could the Bulls.

[cbarrier90]

Spoelstra got outcoached pretty badly. As for the bench, eh that's a stretch, and honestly just shifting blame. They just won back to back championships with those guys that are apparently "years removed from being effective".

 

They have Ray Allen to thank for the game 6 win in last years finals. Now he's a scrub? That's funny.

 

Lebron chose to go to Miami, and immediately put the high expectations on his team with the "not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven" quote about how many championships they would win together.

 

It's one thing to lose the finals, but to lose the way they did is just embarrassing for all involved, including Lebron.

 

They won back-to-back championships because 1. They had a bench that could contribute and 2. Dwyane Wade could actually make a meaningful contribution.

 

Just because Ray Allen hits a wide open 3 on a lucky bounce to win game 6, that doesn't mean he reverts back to Sonics/Celtics Ray. That's like saying 2013 Steve Smith is still in 2005 form just because he burns Tarell Brown one time for a TD in the playoffs. Ray's job on this Heat team was to space the floor and hit open 3s. That's it.

 

These superteams have shelf lives because of the nature of the max contracts that were signed by the stars. This year, they couldn't afford to keep Mike Miller, a very effective sixth man during the championship run and ended up trading away more interior depth in Joel Anthony. Those two guys had to be replaced with cheaper options in Beasley and Oden who absolutely flopped as free agent signings. The end result is a team that looks eerily similar to Lebron's Cavs teams he wanted to get away from, especially with Wade's knees giving out.

 

I'm glad a franchise built on consistency and true "team" basketball won the championship, but you can't blame the only guy on the losing team who performed up to his ability in this series be stuck with all the blame here.

[ckad79]

I don't see the Heat lineup staying together. From everything I've read, Wade has a player option for like $20 million a year or he can test the market. After this Finals display, I doubt anybody matches that. How bad does he want to win? He will have to take a lot less and may never see the money again.

 

After all, this was the guy who once said, I need to eat" on Mike&Mike during the NBA lockout over concerns that he might not get his money.

[MichaelNewtonII]

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/20/alonzo-mourning-says-scottie-pippen-says-lebron-would-kick-jordans-ass/

[t96]

Spurs are going to 3-peat if Duncan doesn't retire.

[MichaelNewtonII]

Spurs are going to 3-peat if Duncan doesn't retire.

3peat? They just won one... I don't think Duncan is staying 2 years, and we don't know what roster changes will go on around the league in 2 years time.

[TheRed]

They won back-to-back championships because 1. They had a bench that could contribute and 2. Dwyane Wade could actually make a meaningful contribution.

 

Just because Ray Allen hits a wide open 3 on a lucky bounce to win game 6, that doesn't mean he reverts back to Sonics/Celtics Ray. That's like saying 2013 Steve Smith is still in 2005 form just because he burns Tarell Brown one time for a TD in the playoffs. Ray's job on this Heat team was to space the floor and hit open 3s. That's it.

 

These superteams have shelf lives because of the nature of the max contracts that were signed by the stars. This year, they couldn't afford to keep Mike Miller, a very effective sixth man during the championship run and ended up trading away more interior depth in Joel Anthony. Those two guys had to be replaced with cheaper options in Beasley and Oden who absolutely flopped as free agent signings. The end result is a team that looks eerily similar to Lebron's Cavs teams he wanted to get away from, especially with Wade's knees giving out.

 

I'm glad a franchise built on consistency and true "team" basketball won the championship, but you can't blame the only guy on the losing team who performed up to his ability in this series be stuck with all the blame here.

 

The current "superteam" thing is ruining the NBA anyway. Look at the list of all the NBA franchises, there are way too many shitty teams. Silver needs to make some big changes IMO. The draft lottery for one needs to go asap

 

Only managing to win one game in the finals (by two points), and losing the other four games each by 15+ points is pretty damn bad. It's Lebron's team, fans can make excuses if they want, but it's in the books now.

[MichaelNewtonII]

It's done.

James ain't wasting his time there with Wade and Bosh. The only way he will stay is if Miami can get rid if those two scrubs.

Wade is the scrub

[topher mcg]

i have a feeling they will all opt in for another year. wade and bosh to get the guaranteed $20m each, and lebron out of loyalty to wade and a case of having too much pride to admit defeat at this stage - i think lebron looks at things from a commercial point of view as well... and as previously mentioned, miami will still be able to contend in the east next year, as long as they re-tool their bench suitably.

 

i think lebron will leave in 2015, when 'better options' will be available to him - id probably suggest the lakers (with kobe's massive contract expiring) or the knicks, who will have plenty of cap space to pair him with another star. the only other team i see him joining, is the cavs, and in 2015 he'll be able to judge if the combination of kyrie and the #1 pick are enough to tempt him back.

 

as for the other 2, i cant see dwade playing anywhere else, and will stay with the heat, and maybe play another 2 years (for about $10m a year?), and bosh stays as well, if the heat think he's worth big money for another 4-5 years, otherwise im sure plenty of teams will still offer him $10-15m a year - dallas springs to mind as a team which is always seems to be linked with him