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
ATLanta
July 10th, 2010
12:37 am
random but what if we traded marvin williams and future draft pick for andre iguadalla he can run at SF for us.. and if zaza is maken a around 5 a year why not trade him , if we plan on bringen in another big..like shaq to pay back up to horford, that opens up cap to sign chills , so we would have teague joe andre josh horford bench bibby jamal evans shaq crawford j chills and some extra cash to sign some others maybe mat barnes , he got payed 1.8 last year, ect theres some guys out there, i just saw sund say collins might return if he gets in shape
Peter Moylan
July 10th, 2010
2:19 am
This is one of the most absurd things I have ever heard. The Hawks couldn’t beat the Heat last year without James or Bosh. You have to be the biggest homer in the world to think that the Hawks might even win a game against the Heat next season.
As constituted, these Hawks aren’t going to win anything.
tennessee tom
July 10th, 2010
4:50 am
t thought Lebron was going to sign with Kentucky
Ryder
July 10th, 2010
8:40 am
Atlanta might have deeper talent on paper, but it’s painfully obvious that Atlanta falls short in one major department: confidence. It was a pattern under Woodson (especially on the road) that when the Hawks started getting down early in games they would just quit.
Doubtful you will ever see Boston, Orlando, LA, or even Miami fall short in the confidence department just because they are down a few points. Perhaps Atlanta will get Shaq, who can be a boon to a team that sometimes can’t get out of their own way.
Ross
July 10th, 2010
9:02 am
The Hawks should develop a reputation as a dirty team and basically mug those guys. Now that would be something interesting to watch during the garbage time that is the NBA before late May. So let’s get Shaq and encourage him to start throwing elbows and trips.
jay dubu
July 10th, 2010
11:26 am
Mark, why would you think the Hawks can beat the heat now? They struggled against the Heat with just Wade, and couldn’t beat Cleveland until all the starters sat out the last game.
They’ve done absolutely nothing ths far to improve their roster from last season, and they’ve replaced Woody with one of his assistants that has never been a head coach before. Granted Woody did lack in guiding the team offensively, but how much of a difference do you expect LD to make.
It’s obvious that the Hawks are not looking to bring in any free agents, so any players added will be added via trades. Who will leave the Hawks’ roster in these trades, and how will that impact the team and their ability to build a long term contender? Additions like Shaq for 1 year does what? Nothing in my opinion. If he couldn’t help the Cavs over the top, why would he be able to do it for the Hawks at a year older?
Bringing in guys like Morris, etc (young, has size, and cheap to sign) to fill out the roster does nothing that helps win games. The Hawks need a big man and a point gaurd, otherwise they be out of the playoff early again next season.
Hawks Fan From Day One
July 10th, 2010
11:43 am
I think everyone is overrating the notion of having one superstar player be the focal point of a team, especially a championship team. At that point, it’s no longer a team. The spotlight is on one player. I also think that everyone is forgetting about the 2004 Piston championship team. Who on that team would you say was the “superstar” player? All of those guys were role (NOT “roll”) players on any other NBA team. Using the example of the Laker team that had Shaq, The Mailman, The Glove and Kobe? Payton and Malone were washed up by the time they came to the team and Shaq was already on the downward slope. This Heat team can work because they are all young and in their prime. It’s a reason a guy like Barkley finished his career ringless. For him to say that he would have wanted to be “the guy” proves that ego was more than likely the reason he wound up without a championship. Someone on here made the comment about guys like Bird and Magic playing with other Hall Of Famers and I totally get that. I like that the league is buzzing over this new superteam. I don’t agree with the way that LeBron went about it, but then again, I was never one snowed by him in the first place. I don’t like him as a person and been seen through him, but I’m a fan of the game and this team will be exciting as hell to watch. I’m personally waiting to see how long before Shaq comes sniffing around, begging for a job and then it’s gonna be on for real.
john
July 10th, 2010
11:50 am
Lebron James he his chance to be a leader with the cavs he could not do it I think the cavs did their the best to keep him if some of you listen to espn there are some trades that lebron did not want the cavs to do like trade jj hickson for Amare so do not say that cavs did not do everything they could. Dan Gilbert had a high payroll an d paid the tax as well did not think Lebron did stop the cavs for doing some trades so they can keep this friends team intact. I think Lebron knew that he was going to the heat for a while he should have told the cavs sooner so they could known what to do he left this cavs team in a bad spot now that cavs did alot for him from what I hear from Espn like giving his friends jobs with the cavs and letting them come on trips and things like that . He should he gave them more respect than this they stood by him and did everthing for him . I think The Hawks are better than the heat so I think egos wiill get in the way with this team 3 supertstars let us be real they are human like all of us are do not say egos will get in the way it will. Also I think the hawks team need a young center not Shaq he has not done well in a while but got coaches fired and mess up team styles, this a young hawks team mostly and Joe johnson will do better and I think they will be more better….
Hawks Fan From Day One
July 10th, 2010
12:17 pm
Maybe after they whoop our natural asses every game this upcoming season, Slo Johnson will take ‘em all out to eat. He’s buying.
ryan
July 10th, 2010
12:44 pm
I just put this up as a joke there contract James, Bosh, Wade all got 6 year deals when put them together look at the number 6 6 6 number of the devil and the flames of the Heat logo.
Hawks All Day
July 10th, 2010
12:59 pm
This move should motivate all the other teams especially the Hawks to get better…Teams that wanna win will do whatever to get better (LAL, BOS, MIA, CLE…lol)…We can’t sit around and think that the team we have now can win a ring, something has got to shake…Or if ASG plays their cards right, next season we can get our hands on Melo or Parker…But please ASG, don’t sit around and do nothing, you gotta give up something to get something…Peace…
a fan
July 10th, 2010
1:30 pm
you’re an idiot mark
drmondo667
July 10th, 2010
3:09 pm
Is there any interest from the Hawks in Zydrunas Ilgauskas now? Last season we tried to entice him here. This offseason I haven’t heard his name mentioned at all. Wouldn’t he be a cheaper, potentially better backup C than Shaq?
Mystikal
July 10th, 2010
4:01 pm
You need a star to win a championship. Sure Detroit won in 2004 with no stars, but they are the exception, not the rule. More so it depends on the role players around said star(s) to step up when the time comes. You need guys who will step up to guard the other teams best player. Have to have someone to fight and scrap in the post, getting rebounds. Must have someone else willing to step up and hit a big shot when things get tight. Overall you need players who are willing to do the little things consistently for as long as it takes. We have many of those things now, but we have to learn to be consistent. We can’t have Smoove moping on the court. Horford can’t be the only one fighting in the post. Joe and Jamal can’t dominate the ball on offense while eveyone else just stands looking. Marvin can’t disappear randomly and Bibby can’t give us no offense ON TOP OF getting torched defensively.
Hopefully LD’s new schemes will eliminate some of the problems we have, but we still need more pieces if we seriously want a shot at a title.
Mystikal
July 10th, 2010
4:27 pm
Potential targets:
PG’s:
Flip Murray, Jannero Pargo, CJ Watson, Jordan Farmer, Rafer Alston
Luke Ridnour, Shaun Livingston
Wings:
Matt Barnes, Ronnie Brewer, Tony Allen, Shannon Brown, Rasual Butler
Jerry Stackhouse, Damien Wilkins, Roger Mason, Dorell wright
Centers:
shaq, Brad Miller, Kurt Thomas, Kwame Brown, Big-Z,
Theo Ratliff, DJ Mbenga, Josh Boone
And what is up with Josh Howard now, is he done? Is he over his little pity party for being an idiot,
cause he still has some game in him. If we can get the sign and trade of Chillz for Javale McGee I
Mystikal
July 10th, 2010
4:28 pm
will be good, despite whatever else does(not) happen.
htwo0rider
July 10th, 2010
7:52 pm
Mark, I generally appreciate your positive spin on whatever Atlanta team you’re writing about. This article is ridiculous even for you. The Heat will work the eastern conference…especially the Hawks.
htwo0rider
July 10th, 2010
8:32 pm
Mark I usually enjoy your optimism regarding Atlanta teams, but you’ve gone past optimistic, to asinine. The Heat will school the East…especially the Hawks
lgwest1
July 10th, 2010
9:29 pm
LeBron is not a hawk. Please remove his picture fro the ‘Hawks ‘ web page. Enough is enough.
sam'l
July 11th, 2010
2:51 am
Miami won’t ever win a championship because D. Wade is an egomaniac and that will upset the chemistry. Also Lebron’s hoppity hop hop will probably be called next year along with everything else he has always gotten away with.
I don’t think Wade is a better shot than Lebron….James did make some killer 3 pointers (a lot of them) by just rising over his defenders.
Boston picks up (Damn…who’d they just get…can’t remember)…what I do remember is thinking…how come the Hawks didn’t grab this guy?
Odd prediction…..numero uno…..Eric Spoelstra out…..Pat Riley IN AS COACH. Sure…he wants another championship….and even though I like Spoelstra, one look in his eyes, and you know he’s nuts…….
sam'l
July 11th, 2010
2:52 am
Hmmm…Mystikal….rang my bell……I agree with a lot of what you say…..
Steven A.
July 11th, 2010
1:22 pm
“ANYONE” BASHING LEBRON JAMES FOR HIS DECISION, IS AN ABSOLUTE “IDIOT’
any “GROWN MAN’ speaking critically of LeBron is an absolute FOOL. “IMAGINE” if you had to go
to yourBORING ho-hum job and carry “THE WHOLE LOAD.” I was not a Lebron fan before this started,however, I APPLAUD HIM FOR HIS DECISON.
WINNING ISN’T EVERYTHING, IT’S THE ONLY THING.
Pat Riley
July 11th, 2010
2:21 pm
Mark, we are all aware your entire career is based on pessimism but good god man! This team will win the title EASILY. Supporting cast rounding up: Mike miller signed, Chalmers, Juwaun Howard, Big Z, Raja Bell, plus the guys they drafted… ITS OVER. Im a hawks fan but they will lose by 30 to these guys EVERY TIME. Those guys i just listed in all probabilty will be their other guys. Including a Da’suan Butler who could get healthy as a rook, and maybe a D fisher if they really persuade him. Yes or NO do they win with that group excluding Fisher????
Pat Riley
July 11th, 2010
2:22 pm
I Forgot Udonis Halem… ADD HIM IN
Ricky
July 11th, 2010
2:27 pm
sam’l Wade and Lebron are FIRST TEAM ALL DEFENSE. Plus maybe a Udonis Haslem and a Juwaun Howard. Do they now have D??
Robert
July 11th, 2010
5:09 pm
Fans have already forgotten that Shaq was an all-star two years ago with Phoenix. In fact, his numbers with the Suns were just a shade below what Bosh averaged this past year. And in Cleveland, Shaq did everything he could to fit in. Let’s see how much Bosh likes getting six or seven shots a game. LeBron and company launched and usually missed three-point shots from all over the court and Shaq never said a word. Does he like attention? No doubt. Can he still make a contribution to a club? Again, no doubt.
Steve
July 11th, 2010
6:56 pm
Robert, Shaq was completely washed up on both teams. Bosh averaged 24-11-2 and shot 80 percent from the line compared to 12-6 and 55 percent from the line. ARE U SERIOUS?!? watch an NBA game pal
Melvin Flowers /Macon Ga.
July 11th, 2010
7:14 pm
What are the Hawks waiting for?
We will not beat the Heat or Magic this season with the line up they have now.
All teams in division are getting stronger the Hawks are not.
It will be a long season for the Hawks if changes don’t be made to roster.
They need a center very badly and a true point guard.
Let’s make some trades are be ready to struggle in makeing the playoffs.
Management stop sitting around looking at other teams get stronger.
We need some help to …………
Robert
July 11th, 2010
7:23 pm
Hey Steve, I was clearly referring to Shaq’s Phoenix stats in 2008-2009: 17.8–8.4–1.4. There is not a significant difference between those stats and Bosh’s stats this year with Toronto. Bosh makes three more baskets a game and grabs three more rebounds. Shaq also shot 60% from the field that year and was co-MVP of the All-Star game.
Steven A.
July 11th, 2010
8:20 pm
“SIGN KWAME BROWN ASAP”…
Kwame is the only free agent center with enough size and athleticism to handle Dwight Howard, however, having said that, all he needs is a trip to “The Wizard” for some “HEART & COURAGE.”
Dominique Wilkens
July 11th, 2010
8:55 pm
I stayed around with the Hawks. We all know how that ended….
northcyde
July 11th, 2010
9:12 pm
Mr. Bradley . . when Miami finally fills out their roster, you’re going to be surprised at the names that will be on there. That team is going to have no problem whatsoever putting decent role players around Wade, Lebron and Bosh. If Varnado and Pittman turns out to be solid, that team is going to be very dangerous come playoff time. Even more dangerous than what people realize.
It’s all the more reason that we need a power player like a Shaq, to give the Hawks a change of pace option to throw at teams.
DAWG H8R
July 11th, 2010
10:05 pm
They only have one ball during play,right?
Who’s gonna have it? Dee-Wayne Wade.
Prince James. Kris Bosh.
I don’t think that Miami got better. I
think they got more unstable. I just
think that,like Josh Smith, James is
an immature man-child.
How’s he gonna deal with Wade being
the man? Who is the go to guy? Who
takes the big shot? Like the Bulls, you can’t
win championships with more than one ball hog.
Wade 22 shots, LeeBrawn withe 20 shots, Kristy with
18 shots.That’s a whole game’s worth on three
players.What legitimate players want run to
up and down the court and watch other guys
actually be allowed to control the game?
Who’ll hire and fire the coaches,Wade,Jaymes,
or the GM?
Steve
July 11th, 2010
10:10 pm
Robert, regardless of what point your trying to make it sucks. Plain and simple. Shaq had the worst season of his career last year and now were supposed to run the princeton offense with him? huh? Our starting center will get us 11 and 6 and be 38 years old. I think ill wet my pants
freshnique
July 11th, 2010
10:15 pm
DAWGH8R, Dont ever compare josh smith to lebron james again. Please spare us the ignorance. That heat team will have good vets BEGGING to play with them not to mention an inked Mike Miller to stand there and shoot wide open 3s. The GM is Pat Riley hes going no where!!! He put this all together!!
falconfanintitantown
July 12th, 2010
2:11 am
Remember all it takes is one injury and miami’s title dreams are poof! I hope atlanta signs Shaq just so he can put a hard foul on jebron lames and show what a true fancyboy he is. HA HA HA HA HA HA (that’s my evil laugh)
2nd Chances
July 12th, 2010
9:31 am
LOL@ ANYBODY that defends Dan Gilbert. He had all those terrible things to say about LJ but yet you’re pissed off that he’s not on your team? You say he quit but you would have taken him on your team in a heartbeat! Dan Gilbert is an owner that sounded like a lil 13 year old kid. NO CLASS at all!! It’s a joke for anybody to defend those comments. Gilbert said him team would win a title before Lebron??? You’re kidding right?? Delusional???
@Ken, you are RIGHT ON!! Everybody’s crying like LJ owes them something. He did what he wanted and what he thought was best for him.
HGN
July 12th, 2010
10:43 am
The Cav’s Gilbert is just upset that his net worth just dropped by about $100M, and he is trying to blame someone else ( LeBron James) for the future Cavaliers failure. He, and he alone, fired the best coach in the franchise’s history ( Mike Brown) ; He also ran off the GM that put together the winningest teams in Cavaliers history ; He (Gilbert) failed to secure ANY other serviceable free agents during the free agents signing period. Gilbert has NO ONE to blame for LeBrons departure but himself.
ASHCAN.
July 12th, 2010
10:48 am
John you can’t listen to everything you hear on espn,they did not have the cheeze$$$$ to sign amare that was just buzz about it could happen.Just another sports host wanting to be right and say i told you so if it WOULD HAVE happened.
Champs
July 13th, 2010
10:47 am
You guys are all retards to think the Hawks are better than the Heat. I bet my life that the Heat will have a better record. They will embarrass Atlanta, like Orlando did in the playoffs. The Heat were 6 games back of the Hawks with a roster of expiring contracts. They added the MVP and an all-star starter. You are in serious denial if you think the Hawks, who didn’t improve their roster after an embarrassing playoffs, are going to do better. The Heat have a better PG (who isn’t better than Bibby), a better SG, a way better SF, a better PF, and a stronger bench with Haslem and Mike Miller. Horford is better than any C the Heat can get but his 15-18 points won’t be a difference maker. Hawks better than Heat? Child please
CL
July 13th, 2010
10:27 pm
Ha, hahahahahaha! What a great article. Whoo! Incredible commentary, exceptional analysis. I mean the Heat only acquired the top 3 free agents in basketball, in their prime, to play on the same team. No owner would want that, right? I mean who would want Wade, James, and Bosh together. I have never witnessed so much animosity from writers towards a team. Please name me one organization would not want these 3 players on their roster. It’s just like the USA basketball team. Who do they send, the best of the best, right? Bitter, bbitter , bitter is all I can say. Yes, the Hawks are a better team than the Heat, that’s why they have done so much winning the last 10 years, and come back with the same players for another early playoff exit. Newsflash, the Heat are better than you!
Chris
July 14th, 2010
4:34 am
Here’s what will happen in 2011:
1) The Heat will squeak by into the finals, after a rough and tumble 7 game series with Boston.
2) The Lake Show will win the Championship in 6.
3) Kobe will have the last laugh, as his victory over the “Three Kings” for his 6th ring elevates him to MJ status.
4) Phil Jackson will retire with his rediculous Fourth 3-Peat.
5) The Miami Heat will self destruct after being universally labeled as failures.
Watch…
The Heat is on
July 14th, 2010
1:50 pm
Bradley……the Hawks better than the Heat????Get Real……..the Heat were almost as good as the Hawks last season without James and Bosh……it really doesn’t matter though Shaq will make the Hawks better…………..YEAH RIGHT!
The Boss
July 14th, 2010
1:55 pm
Winning comes second to only Breathing….so I suggest the Hawks Medical staff bring Oxygen and a Respirator to the games for Shaq……..
Leland
July 15th, 2010
6:25 am
i am a few days behind yall, but it is rather ironic seeing the last sentence up above……..
“Well, there’s always the Yankees. Maybe they could use a pinch-runner.”
as Joe Giradi could have used a pinch runner in the All Star game 9th inning. How prescient of you Mark.
Reality
July 19th, 2010
4:05 pm
The Miami Heat will win at least 3 championships in the next 5 years.
You guys in Loserville aka Atlanta aka Georgia need to WAKE UP AND JOIN THE REST OF US IN REALITY.
The Depressing Truth: Miami Wins at Least The Next Two. | Celtics 24/7 | All Celtics, All The Time
July 19th, 2010
10:38 pm
[...] being the teams-to-beat. There were a bunch of doubters. Just like there are doubters now. Take this clown, for instance. The reality, however, is the new Heat Big 3 will make the players around them (i.e. [...]