Every morning, we compile the links of
the day and dump them here…
highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as
satisfying as a good morning dump.
How handy that we have a nice
comparison team in the 2007-08 Celtics. The Heat are surely comforting
themselves with the knowledge that Boston’s “Big Three’’ came together
quickly enough to become immediate champions.That trio, however, was composed quite
differently than this one. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen
were inherently complementary. Allen’s best work is done off the ball.
Pierce’s best work is done with it. Garnett is a natural facilitator who
can also hit an open 15-footer or post up, as the need arises. Playing
smoothly together was never going to be an issue. In addition, Garnett’s
primary value was quarterbacking a defense that ranks with the best the
league has ever seen.
Both
James and Wade need the ball, or at least they always have. Oh, sure,
they can say they proved how well they can play together on Team USA,
but that is an entirely different circumstance. It’s one thing to
subjugate yourself for a couple of weeks for a very specific common
goal, and it’s another to sacrifice a large part of your game (i.e. your
identity) for 82 games, plus a two-month playoff grind.
Boston Globe/Bob Ryan: Three big reasons to be afraid
I'm getting a little tired of people pointing to Boston's Big 3 as Miami's blueprint for this year's squad.
The Celtics, as Bob Ryan writes, were natural fits. The Heat are going to have to make bigger adjustments. They're also going to have to fill out that roster.
This is where things get a little scary for the league. These guys will all get paid less than $15 million this season… leaving the Heat about $8 million to play with. That could buy them some decent pieces.
Will it be enough to buy them a center, a shooter and some decent bench players? It might.
Just because Miami brought 3 big-name players into a team doesn't mean they're following Boston's blueprint. The construction of these teams is completely different. And because Miami's not done yet, we don't know if their installation as the new favorites is legit yet.
The rest of the links:
Globe: LeBron's image tumbles off a building | Herald: Time to face reality | Dick Harter's run finally stops | Tearing down King's legacy in Ohio | ESPN: Heat pursuing Derek Fisher | WEEI: Matt Janning gets training camp invite
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