Friday, June 22, 2012

The Heat capture second championship, as The king is Crowned

Picture from foundationcrossfit.com
When all was said and done, one Lebron James had his first NBA championship, Dwyane Wade had his second and the Miami Heat delivered on that promise made almost two years ago. The Oklahoma City Thunder have nothing to be ashamed of, they played 4 competitive games. But on the 5th game, they looked like a team who simply wanted to get it over with and begin the coronation of the king. After last night, there should be no doubt that Lebron James is the best player on the planet, he closed the Thunder out with a triple double (26 11 13) and remained poised throughout a game that was a blowout.
On this night the Heat showed that they were more than their big 3, Mike Miller who hadn't hit a 3 all series hit SEVEN threes (yes not a typo) on what seemed to be spare parts collected from a garbage disposal.  The Heat had 4 players scoring at least 20 points and shot a whooping 53.8% from the three point line.
Ultimately though, this night will be remembered for the crowning of a king and perhaps a beginning of a dynasty. James is the most polarizing figure in sports and has been since "The Decision". He did not cry, and it seemed it didn't hit him until well after he was out the game. Lebron has been the best player now for a number of years, opinions may vary. But he has 3 out of the last 4 MVP's, monster numbers every year, All NBA first team and all All NBA defensive team, he can play all 5 positions and defend them all with success as well. His one blemish was the lack of a championship he so desperately wanted.
Whether you like him, or hate him, you cannot deny the fact that you are looking at an all time great, yes he handled his "decision" incorrectly, but we are all humans, and in the end he got what he left for, a championship ring. For one night, we all must all stop and acknowledge the greatness that is James, no more "ringless" jokes. For one night no more about his lack of what Skyp Bayless calls the "clutch gene". He is now an NBA champion and a finals MVP, adding more hardware to an already filled trophy case.
How can we not talk though about The Heat's greatest player of all time Dwyane Wade. Yes Lebron is the best player on the team, but do not undervalue Wade who now has 2 championships under his belt. And who without him Lebron would never be in Miami. Wade has willingly given the reigns of the team to James when he told him halfway through the season: "Dont worry about me", a superstar player who understands that for his team to win championships sacrifices must be made. Wade played this whole postseason with a knee injury that will most likely keep him out of the olympics and with renewed family problems with his ex wife.
Wade, who is without a doubt an All time great and a first ballot hall of famer when he retires, now passes into even greater status with multiple championships, perhaps already securing what many  already believe as the third best shooting guard in the history of the game behind Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant. He has given up the ball to Lebron when he is without a doubt still capable of carrying a team, but on this night he secures his second ring, something he says he will appreciate and enjoy much more than his first.
Finally and definitely not least, Oklahoma should not feel ashamed. In my opinion they will be back, it seemed like the lost will just give them more motivation to return hungrier than ever. It hurts to be so close and fail, but now the experience that the Heat had from last year's lost to the Mavericks, the Thunder will have coming into next season. They simply ran into a team that wanted it more, or perhaps in the case of Lebron.... NEEDED it more

No comments:

Post a Comment