A great team? The Heat mightn’t be better than the Hawks
LeBron James’ new motto: If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.
And here’s the funny part: He still might not be able to beat the Orlando Magic. Or the Boston Celtics. Or, believe it or not, the Atlanta Hawks.
The Miami Heat aren’t yet a team and might never be. It’s tempting to call them a collection, but it’s more a mismatched set. There’s a power forward (Chris Bosh) who’s less power than finesse, and there are the two All-Stars whose styles most mirror each other.
Put LeBron alongside Kobe Bryant and Ray Allen or even Joe Johnson (when not in Iso mode) and you’ve got a working partnership. One drives and dishes and the other shoots and finishes. Station Lebron next to Dwyane Wade and you’ve got Miami Twice.
What does LeBron do? He dribbles and drives. Sometimes he shoots a jump shot, but shooting is the least part of his game. What does D-Wade do? He dribbles and drives and dishes. Sometimes he shoots a jump shot — he’s a better shooter than LeBron, but he’s still not Kobe.
How will this work? Will they take turns? (”This is your possession, ‘Bron; I’ll just stand over here in the corner.”) Will they go rock-paper-scissors to see who gets the ball when?
We saw it — admittedly on a different level — at Georgia Tech this past season: It’s never ideal when your two best players do the same thing. They don’t complement one another; they get in each other’s way. And for all the happy talk emanating from the purported Big Three today, wait and hear how it changes when the Heat lose three in a row.
Yeah, they got along when they were playing in the Olympics, but the NBA isn’t made up of players looking just to get the Dream Teamers’ autographs. Every player on every other NBA club now has a target, and there are a handful of teams in the NBA East capable of beating the Heat without it being an upset.
Bosh is accustomed to being the focal point on his team. LeBron and D-Wade are accustomed to being, more or less, the entire team. As much as they might insist, “I’ll do whatever it takes to win,” we cannot deny the presence of ego. It broke up the Beatles. It will get to the Heat.
Even now, Orlando is a better team: It has a center and shooters to surround him. Boston is a better team: It has a Big Three — actually a Big Four, given the ascendancy of Rajon Rondo — who have proved they can work with one another. The Hawks — yes, the Hawks — are a better team: They’re deeper and their three best players play different positions.
If LeBron thought the pressure to win in Cleveland was oppressive … well, he ain’t seen nothing yet. D-Wade has his title. If the Heat fail, it won’t be Wade who takes the hit. It will be the man who couldn’t get Cleveland past Round 2 despite the addition of Shaquille O’Neal, Antawn Jamison, Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker, not to mention the re-acquisition of Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Loading ...Had LeBron held up his end, those Cavs wouldn’t have crashed against Boston. But he didn’t, and they did. And what did owner Dan Gilbert say about his former employee’s playoff performance after the alleged King had abdicated his Ohio throne? Quoth Gilbert: “He quit.”
More from Gilbert: “He has gotten a free pass. People have covered up for him for way too long.”
Yes, this is harsh. But the reality of LeBron choosing to join Team Wade as opposed to leading a team of his own has thrown everything about James the player into question. There was a time when Michael Jordan couldn’t get past the Pistons, but he didn’t demand a trade to Detroit.
The man whom some have decided is the greatest since Jordan has just told us he can’t do it alone and no longer wanted to try. Where will he go if he can’t take a title with the Heat?
Well, there’s always the Yankees. Maybe they could use a pinch-runner.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
297 comments Add your comment
phoenix falcon
July 9th, 2010
12:06 pm
what kind of ” owner ” would act like this????????????????????????? And then you wonder why the king left. would you want to work for/with an A$$ like this?
Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;
As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.
This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his “decision” unlike anything ever “witnessed” in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.
Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.
The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.
There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.
You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.
You have given so much and deserve so much more.
In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:
“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE”
You can take it to the bank.
If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our “motivation” to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.
Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.
Sorry, but that’s simply not how it works.
This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown “chosen one” sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And “who” we would want them to grow-up to become.
But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called “curse” on Cleveland, Ohio.
The self-declared former “King” will be taking the “curse” with him down south. And until he does “right” by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.
Just watch.
Sleep well, Cleveland.
Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day….
I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:
DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue….
Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers
KBP
July 9th, 2010
12:07 pm
Is it a crime that LeBron may not be able to lead a team to a championship? I have more respect for him in going this route. He wants to win and does not appear to care if he is the main piece of puzzle. If they add some other pieces they will win more than one championship. It is really ok if he is not Michael or Kobe. There is one Michael, one Kobe. Magic won with hall of famers, Bird won with hall of famers, Isaiah won with hall of famers and now LeBron will win with hall of famers. Barkely could not lead a team to a championship nor Stockton, Malone, Ewing, etc. I just wish Miami was not in our division nor conference.
85' Bears
July 9th, 2010
12:08 pm
While I don’t necessarily think that it was a good move for him to go to Miami, Dan Gilbert created the Lebron James monster. He is the one who gave him the free passes and now he’s upset that he did not re-sign with the Cavs. If Lebron would have went back to the Cavs, would Dan still call him “narcissistic” ?
Brian
July 9th, 2010
12:08 pm
The Hawks are a lousy franchise that other teams and NBA fans have been taking a dump on for decades.
Even without James Miami would be better than the Hawks.
Keep in mind Mark that the hawks were BARELY better than the Bucks mediocre crap team from last season. The Hawks will be lucky if they’re not 6th or 7th seed because Chicago is also better than the Hawks and their nickel and dime head coach and poorly ran ownership. Miami will destroyed the Hawks team or role players. And that’s all the Hawks players are…. ROLE PLAYERS.
You… Well, you’re about as intelligent as most Hawk fans. Which means you know little about basketball at all.
David Granger
July 9th, 2010
12:09 pm
I honestly thought that NOBODY would come out of this LeBron James debacle looking as bad as LeBron, with all the hoopla and TV show crap. (Does his agent have the sense God gave biscuit dough?)
But I’ll be damned if Dan Gilbert isn’t making it a real contest with his pettiness.
Hoops
July 9th, 2010
12:12 pm
Enough about the Heat already! Let’s get Shaq, Livingston, & Matt Barnes. S&T Chills for McGee. Now bring on the Heat!!!
Curious George
July 9th, 2010
12:12 pm
Can we trade the Atlanta Spirit Group for Pat Riley?
TheAntiMe
July 9th, 2010
12:13 pm
The Decision just proves without a doubt that LeBron James is much less of a king i.e. leader and much more of a queen, as in drama queen, diva, prima donna.
Dude just apparently ain’t got the stones to get it done as the primary player, and there’s really no great shame in that unless you are someone who prances around the court blowing magic powder around and proclaiming yourself to be The King. I think not.
calico
July 9th, 2010
12:16 pm
I am still pulling for the Hawks but that Heat team will be scary Pat Riley will put the right guys around those 3
MathMan
July 9th, 2010
12:17 pm
For all of you pooh-butts in Hateration Nation. . .I repeat, what’s the difference in Danny Ainge “orchestrating” trades to get the “Big 3″ to Boston, from the “Big Free (as in agents)” orchestrating their own tune to get to Miami? Not a damn thing except for the fact that they were “FREE” to do it. MB, what do you want a return to the pre-Curt Flood days? Or did the Spirit owners break off some Scrilla for you to write this vitrol? Have a great weekend pooh-butt!
RareAir
July 9th, 2010
12:17 pm
One more thing, basketball is a team game. There’s not a person on the planet who can win a championship by themselves. You go Lebron, show the haters and the bandwagon jumpers.
Mr. Obvious
July 9th, 2010
12:18 pm
If the fans of Cleveland truly want to get revenge on LeBron James, destroy the man’s life and make certain he never wins an NBA Championship in Miami, they will call up Courtney Fuhrmann and all chip in to pay to move her down to South Beach ASAP.
GT Alum
July 9th, 2010
12:19 pm
KBP, you forgot that Jordan won with a HOF and top 50 of all time player (Pippen), and that Kobe won his early titles with a sure HOF and top 50 of all time player (Shaq). It remains to be seen if Pau will be in the HOF, but he sure ain’t chopped liver, and Kobe didn’t win much without him and other players like Odom, Fisher and Ariza/Artest. People talk about Jordan, Kobe, Bird and Magic like they won titles by themselves. They were the biggest stars, and don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying they didn’t play the primary role in winning those titles, but all of them did it with other top players. None of them carried a team to a championship alone.
Wilson
July 9th, 2010
12:19 pm
Who cares where he goes? I wouldn’t watch NBA basketball if it was in my front yard. Watched about two minutes of championship, game seven. Street ball all the way. See that in NYC parks for free. That’s not basketball! Rather watch paint dry. Rules should be upheld, but that wouldn’t sell tickets. Half of those so called superstars wouldn’t be nutt’n without fouling, walking and carrying the ball. Why not just watch some WWF? Pathetic. Sorry James Naismith for destroying the game!!!!! Money wins out again.
TDub
July 9th, 2010
12:19 pm
“Miami Twice.” That’s rich.
MR. JOSHUA
July 9th, 2010
12:20 pm
Lebronica had a lot of say in the complimentary players the Cavs brought in over the past two seasons. If his supporting cast was so bad, how did they have the best record in the past two regular seasons? Lebronica needed to step up in the playoffs, and she didn’t. Now she can pass the ball (and the pressure) to D-Wade when it’s crunch time.
Stockdog
July 9th, 2010
12:24 pm
I can’t believe that I am writing this, but I agree with Mr. Bradley. I am not sold on this dream team concept. In 2004 the US had the most talent in the olympics but could not win the gold. Atlanta is a team that has been together for 3 years going on 4. They continue to improve every year. If Teague can become the player that I think he is, when he dominated college basketball for a 6 week period 2years ago then the Hawks can compete with Miami, that will be playing without a bench. I think that we are better than Boston. The only team to be concerned about is Orlando, now that Cleveland is dead. So, go Hawks, I will be at Phillips irregardless of who they play.
Moonlight Mile
July 9th, 2010
12:25 pm
Last night, Lebron packed every Clevelend bar and restaurant while every other Cleveland fan was in front of the TV waiting for his decision. The way in which he left Cleveland is one of the single most hateful, disrespectful, and ignorant things I’ve ever seen from an athlete. This isn’t Vick flicking a bird or JJ badmouthing fans in the heat of the moment. This was premeditated, completely unnecessary, and flat-out mean. He has a right to play wherever he wants and Miami is a strong choice but he completely exposed himself as a person.
As for the Hawks, we overpaid for Joe by $30M or so but the impact of losing him would have been FAR greater in my opinion. This is a business. We may not win a championship with JJ but hopefully we won’t be talking about losing the franchise.
joemoedee
July 9th, 2010
12:27 pm
I’m glad ESPN can now go back to “Brett Favre Watch 2010″.
Lebron was in a precarious situation. Stay with Cleveland? Doing it for the money as the talent around him is not as good as other options.
Chicago? Probably the best fit, (Good team based talent around him) but would always be in MJ’s shadow.
New York? The media would ruin him.
New Jersey? Not a bad fit, but still too much NY media.
Miami? Well, less of the evils, but honestly this makes him more Pippen than Jordan in the full view of things…
nard 34
July 9th, 2010
12:28 pm
MATT RYAN NOW GUY”S GET OVER THE NBA PLEASE!!!!!
nash
July 9th, 2010
12:28 pm
James had one of the best supporting cast in the league at all positions. If Wade had ac couple of the players you named he might have won multiple title. Cleveland will be fine in a couple of years if they can draft a real scorer ( or offer Moon or Varaja to the hawks for Crawford) this team will be in the the play offs in no time.
Collection of Reaction Columns » Generation Y Sports
July 9th, 2010
12:29 pm
[...] This AJC columnist surmises the Hawks are better than the Heat [Mark Bradley for the Atlanta Journal Constitution] [...]
KBP
July 9th, 2010
12:29 pm
GT Alum,
Great input. And Dan Gilbert is an idiot. I would not want my kids to immulate him! If he felt this way about LeBron, who singlehandedly may the value of the Cavs skyrocket, why did he not address it with him over the last 3-5 years? LeBron chose to leave and now the spoiled billionaire is acting like a jilted cheerleader who got dumped by the star quarterback. The Cavs will morph into the Nets.
wxwax
July 9th, 2010
12:29 pm
I don’t knock LeBron for needing to have quality players around him.
Jordan needed Pippen, Kobe needed Shaq and later Gasol. And lord knows Russell was surrounded by talent. So it’s not fair to say he can’t win without a good cast around him.
No-one can.
What leaves a bad taste is the way he went about it. Too dismissive of Cleveland, too narcissistic. He’s really damaged his “good guy” image.
It will be easy, too easy, to root against him and Miami.
nard 34
July 9th, 2010
12:30 pm
Let’s Go Falcons!!!!
Timmy
July 9th, 2010
12:31 pm
The undefeated Miami Dolphins of 72 or whatever pop a bottle of champagne whenever the last undefeated team loses every year.
I say we all pop a bottle of champagne for each year the Miami Divas fail to win an NBA Championship. Who’s with me?!
LeWade Bosh
July 9th, 2010
12:32 pm
Yeah, you’ve got to wonder if Lebron would have made this decision if he knew the reaction to it beforehand.
The Heat’ll be good, but I don’t think they’ll be dominating. Might teach the league a good lesson.
Vinnie
July 9th, 2010
12:36 pm
@RareAir: Watch the tape. He quit on the team. If he was sick, we obviously would have heard about it, as it would have lessened the backlash for him getting taken out of the post season early, again. Gilbert did everything he could to win James a title NOW. Sacrficed the Cavs future to bring in players to help win. And by all accounts they should have at least MADE it to the finals. Best record in the league 2 straight years, 2 straight MVPS, top 5 in literally all team and in LBJs case individual statistics. This is all on Lebron buddy. This is coming from a diehard Lakers fan too.
@cantondawg: Lakers didn’t get swept in 2004 FYI
Tweets that mention A great team? The Heat mightn't be better than the Hawks | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
July 9th, 2010
12:39 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Terrell McCallum, Olympic Tweeter. Olympic Tweeter said: A great team? The Heat mightn't be better than the Hawks http://bit.ly/dxyYsj [...]
Kiljoy
July 9th, 2010
12:41 pm
The qwhawks have no leader and no heart. They can’t win in the playoffs unless the starting 5 of the other team go on vacation and forfiet the series.
Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary
July 9th, 2010
12:41 pm
HATER = Broad, sweeping and generic label used by uneducated people to place on all others who disagree with their ill-conceived, inarticulate and uninformed opinions
Street Lingo Example:
“All you people that don’t say Mike Vick the greatest and best QB that ever lived are all just a bunch of ignorant HATERS!”
Ray
July 9th, 2010
12:43 pm
Good points, Wxwax. You nailed.
Mark Bradley — Sorry, buddy, you missed it big time on this one. Maybe the Heat will have some issues on who will take big shots, etc., but they do have two guys who have proven they have the heart and desire to win.
Not so with the Hawks.
The Hawks have one guy who fits that build, Al Horford.
The rest are pretty much selfish, heartless, gutless chumps, who show up every third game.
And one of them now makes over $120 million.
Dreman1731
July 9th, 2010
12:43 pm
Timmy, I am with you.
Jay
July 9th, 2010
12:43 pm
How do you spell HOMER? Mark Bradley.
MitchC
July 9th, 2010
12:44 pm
Mark, I think you’re wrong on this one, buddy. We can dissect it all we want, but, I think having Lebron on the same team as Wade, will make the Heat a better team, and will make both better players. They now have two weapons instead of one.
I think the Heat are now the team to beat in the East. I dont think they will get past the Heat in the 2011 Finals, but it will be a heck of a series.
cdog
July 9th, 2010
12:44 pm
AS LONG AS THE HAWKS HAVE RICK SUND, THE HEAT WILL DOMINATE THEM.
MitchC
July 9th, 2010
12:44 pm
I meant to say I dont think the Heat will get past the Lakers in the 2011 Finals. Sorry, duh on me was typing fast.
Ted M
July 9th, 2010
12:45 pm
What might the Cavs do now?
vafalconfan
July 9th, 2010
12:46 pm
Lebron is very talented,but he’s not a winner and he did QUIT on his team in the playoffs. No one can argue that!
DawginLex
July 9th, 2010
12:46 pm
Hawks don’t need shaq. They could have used Boozer. They may be ok as they are.
Mark, I guess you saw about Mel turpin. Truly sad. Nice man.
Time
July 9th, 2010
12:53 pm
I love how all the ESPN types are defending him now. Par for the course. Do something to help out the network, and they’ll give you a pass.
This whole thing has been utterly ridiculous. ESPN, instead of defending LeBron should be doing investigative reporting onto how this all came to pass. It is my opinion this deal was sealed years ago when they all took the same deals so they could be unrestricted FA’s at the time.
They wanted somewhere where they could all end up on the same team. And the whole process has been manipulated to achieve this goal ever since. All the other meetings with other teams were just window dressing so people would not see through the collusion going on. Clearly, Wade knowing what was up went to Heat management and said, if you clear it, we will come. Lots of teama cleared space, some even cleared enough to sign two max deals. But only one gutted it’s roster to the point where they now officially have ONE player under contract. The Miami Heat.
The whole thing is a sham. And MB is right. This isn’t going to work out like these overrated stars think it is. They think vets are going to line up to play on one year minimum deals just to play with them and supposedly win rings. Thing is, no matter how many scrubs (only a scrub would take a league minimum deal) wanting rings they sign this year. They’re not going to win. They might not even make it out of the east. Orlando, Chicago, Boston and yes Atlanta are all much more complete teams. Then if they do somehow win the East. There waits Kobe, who is now salivating at the mouth in hopes of getting the chance to dismantle these guys in the finals.
Mike G.
July 9th, 2010
12:58 pm
Mark Bradley, you are a hater. The Cavs SUCK without Lebron. During some on the games they would stand around and watch him play. Who would want to continue in a role like that. The only reason the owner is upset is because his “Golden Goose” has left. And if he had stayed “6 more years,” and still didn’t have a ring (because lets face it as soon as he signed they were not going to do anything to bring anyone else) what do you say to him, “Yeah you don’t have a ring, but you stuck around and were really really loyal, and now you are 31 and we need to look to the future.” Lebron did the best for the person who mattered the most… Lebron. We do the same thing everyday when we switch jobs (either for more money, better atmosphere, better employee or employers); you the best thing for YOU.
ICEMANcometh10
July 9th, 2010
12:58 pm
H armony in Miami?
A tlanta will beat them in the season series
W alk the walk and talk on ESPN as you turn tail and run
K iss our Atlanta Hawks wings as we fly by
S pit on the bandwagon jumpers as we ride in the sunset
Big K
July 9th, 2010
12:59 pm
Mark…. The Celtics did it with guys who are on the decline of their careers. Each one knew that they had to give in order to receive the Finals trophy. Every one said LB could not shoot. He proved that wrong. He could not play defense. Wrong again. Its funny how these young guys put this together on their own terms and nobody’s giving the credit. All three played the roll of the owner/GM and we can only write about ball hogs. ESPN decision day, MVP changes team, and the proceeds from the hour long show go to the Girls and Boys club of America…….priceless.
Mark Bradley
July 9th, 2010
1:01 pm
I did read about Melvin Turpin, DawginLex. I’m really saddened by his death. I’d known him since he was a junior at Bryan Station High.
REALLY??
July 9th, 2010
1:03 pm
The New York,Philly,Chi media would be would NOT stand for this crap!!! Atl is way tooooo soft!!!
JimG
July 9th, 2010
1:04 pm
Mark,
Re Zidane, a lot of people understood why he did what he did and sympathized, even though it hurt his team. A closer comparison may be when Cassius Clay announced his refusal to register for the draft.
Ken
July 9th, 2010
1:05 pm
When you have a classless owner like Gilbert, it’s no wonder LeBron chose to leave that sorry excuse for a franchise. LeBron played 7 years in Cleveland and I think even resigned with them 4 years ago. The guy is a “free” agent people. That means he’s “free” to go wherever he pleases. Stop crying like a bunch of babies and throw the pacifier away already.
Cleveland never got a LeBron a great number 2. If you look at the history of the NBA you need more than one guy to win Championships and Cleveland never wanted to spend the cash on another guy so they got what they deserved. In the NBA cheap = loser. Just ask the Hawks.
Besides, no one ever talked about Shaq or any other player that opted to go elsewhere. Why are you guys crying about LeBron?
LD
July 9th, 2010
1:06 pm
Finally, the last 2 articles you have posted have been great. Props.
JF McNamara
July 9th, 2010
1:07 pm
Enter your comments here