The other night while catching up on some Sports Center I noticed something: Lebron James isn't Lebron James. He looks uncomfortable; the team looks out-of-sync. Don't get me wrong, Lebron James is still that high-flying, overpowering stud who can get a shot off anywhere on the court whenever he wants, but he and the Heat seem to be forcing themselves to play a certain way that is really not their style.
If the NBA playoffs were to begin right now (November 28, 2010) we would see Boston (.750), Orlando (.750), Chicago (.600), Atlanta (.588), Miami (.529), Indiana (.500); New York (.471) and Cleveland (.488).
Out west: San Antonio (.867), Lakers (.813), New Orleans (.800), Dallas (.750), Utah (.706), Oklahoma City (.688), Denver (.600), and Portland (.533). Top teams take on lower-ranking teams in descending order.
We have to wonder if the so-called Big 3 down in South Beach can really play together, or if it's some kind of alliance they're forming to rid Eric Spoelstra and allow Pat Riley one last hurrah.
But what would Pat Riley do if he decided to step in as coach? What kind of message does this say to other young coaches out there, besides that you're so bad that you can't even win with three very good players on your team?
In all fairness, it's not Eric Spoelstra's fault. Hell, Riley hired him in as coach, and was one of Riley's key assistants.
But Spoelstra doesn't look the part, does he? He doesn't have Riley's flair or the wizard-like presence of a Phil Jackson. He doesn't come off as a tough-as-nails, in your face coach. The players look about as interested in what he has to say as I have interest in the show "Glee."
Maybe Spoelstra keeps his job, even if he isn't the right coach to corral and tame some of the best players in the NBA, but the last time I checked, basketball is a five-man squad on the court, and each player needs to step up their game.
Finally, I think I can solve the problem for the Heat: trade Lebron to Chicago. Derrick Rose is more of a point guard and would help Lebron in the open court much better than having shooting guard Wade try to run things. I know that Lebron is a player who can play multiple positions, but with his size and skills, he's good at either the two or three position (point guard or small forward). He could go back to Cleveland, but I don't think he'd look good in those burnt #23 jerseys after the fans went wild. In fact, not putting thoughts or words in D-Wade's mind or mouth, but I wonder if he's saying the same: "This was my team, and I don't think we play well together, Bron. Sorry this didn't work out."
Lebron to Chicago: where he should have gone in the first place.
