Miami posted their fifth consecutive loss last night against the Trailblazers, which only worsens the current situation the Heat find themselves in. The media circus that surrounded this team only heightened and the hysteria of consecutive losses has only expanded exponentially over the past few days, causing tensions to run high and people to speak their minds.
After watching Wade and LeBron’s usual joint press conference, I did not learn anything I didn’t already know about the pair. They are still 100% focused on the task at hand and right now that is winning ball games. Nothing interesting jumped out from either player, even when asked if this was the most frustrating point of their careers. Wade said it was only relevant because it was the most recent, where LeBron cited his previous playoff losses to Orlando and Boston, and of course the sweeping at the hands of the Spurs. They were calm and collected and gave nothing away to a packed media room waiting for a slip up, similar to what Spoelstra had the other day when revealing there were Heat players crying following the Chicago game.
We’re not going to get back into that.
Chris Bosh however was rather different. He went in before Wade and James, and he went in alone, as usual. You can look into that all you want, I’m not going to say anything about it nor am I implying anything of it. That’s simply the way they do it.
Bosh fresh off another disgraceful performance that again exemplifies the questioning of his contract actually entitling him to earn more than the other members of Miami’s big 3. He has become the butt of many jokes, even more so in the last fortnight.
You could tell Bosh was as frustrated as anyone on that roster. He finally let it out. We knew these three guys, 3 top 15 maybe top 10 players who came from systems and teams that relied so heavily on them it would have been strange if they did not touch the ball every possession, would eventually begin to express their concern at their lack of involvement. Perhaps it was no surprise to anyone that Bosh was the first to speak out.
“It is common sense, we can talk about it, but I think it’s evident,” Bosh said. “I just have to get it where I’m effective. I’m a big man. I can shoot the ball but I’m a big man. So I have to get it where big guys get it. Then I feel I can start helping out this team more.
I’m saying what I need to do as a player, a closed mouth doesn’t get fed. I’m uncomfortable now so you might as well do something else”.
I never liked the Raptors but I respected Bosh because I thought he was pretty dimensional as a big man and would benefit the Heat because of his ability to spread the floor. After a few games I retracted my thoughts and I was picketing for him to be traded. Whilst that was mostly done with tongue in cheek, I could see from day one that Bosh was not going to have an easy time of it in Miami. At least not for the first few months. He has had a torrid time to say the least.
Bosh is the first to crack, and I believe it was very unwise. He has come out and questioned the offensive system of the Heat, but also I think subliminally taking a shot at Wade and James as he believes they are still getting the touches in the areas they want it, whilst he is the one doing all the sacrificing. Which is complete rubbish.
Now I’m basically putting words in his mouth and I may be completely wrong, but he talks about playing in the low post and how he is a waste shooting jump shots all day, well Chris you have been put in low post situations many times and it’s not your game, you get man handled down there. Chris you are a finesse big man, you don’t play the pick and roll, you aren’t going to back down defenders and I don’t think you’re going to worry any of Boston or Orlando’s big men in the paint. You will worry them if you remember how to shoot mid range jump shots.
And in case you disagree with me, ask the Cavaliers all about Turkoglu and Lewis. Ask Boston about Odom and Gasol. Big men that stretch the floor create match up problems. It’s as simple as that. The problem is not where you’re getting the ball Chris Bosh, it’s what you’re doing with it. When you start lifting your weight and earning your contract, you can start demanding the ball in better positions. No one questions your talent but right now I am starting to question your resolve.
Which brings me to the next issue.
Phil Jackson.
I’m sure you’ve all seen his comments and if not here they are.
“This is the NBA. No Boys Allowed. Big boys don’t cry. But, if you’re going to do it, do it in the toilet where no one can see”.
I have a lot of Lakers friends who justify every stupid thing Phil Jackson says by giving me the same answer every time.
11 rings.
It’s a similar answer to the constant LeBron vs Kobe debate.
5 rings.
It’s an argument that has warrant, but its a statistic, and statistics lie.
Phil Jackson may well be the greatest coach in NBA history, there are several other candidates that many think are better leaders of their teams, put together a greater team chemistry and lead their team in better ways, but as far as championships go few challenge Jackson.
Let’s be 100% honest. Phil Jackson has found himself in the perfect circumstance throughout the entirety of his career. He has always boasted the best player in the game.
Michael Jordan. Shaquille O’Neal. Kobe Bryant.
He has had some of the best supporting casts of the last few decades to go with these superstars. But most importantly he has always coached under terrific owners and superb general managers. And that makes a huge difference.
Nonetheless Jackson constantly finds the compulsion to give his two cents on every little issue in the NBA. He predicted a coup on Eric Spoelstra earlier in the season which saw him in hot water, as it should have. He openly said Kobe doesn’t know how to play the triangle offense. He questioned Shaquille O’Neal’s character and ability to still perform shortly before he left the Lakers. I can continue on.
Lakers fans will hate me and anyone else that is on the Jackson bandwagon. But I don’t care. Just because the man was blessed with some of the greatest teams of all time and has won 11 rings as a result of this, doesn’t mean he has the right to say whatever he wants whenever he wants it.
I’m sure you Lakers fans or Jackson fans will tell me he always knows what he’s doing when he talks about these kinds of things. I am sick of hearing that line. What was the line of thinking when he openly predicted Pat Riley to fire and take over Spoelstra’s job.
‘Oh yes well that will only angry the Miami fans and players even more so when we play them they will be so fired up on Christmas Day that they flog us on our home court. That will help me get my 12th ring. Maybe I should tell Paul Pierce that no one cares he is from Los Angeles, that he is still the most hated man in California. That won’t backfire’.
I have great respect for the man because of what he has achieved. The players speak very highly of him and you don’t win 11 rings on talent and management alone.
But when he questions the reactions of players he not only has never coached, nor does he know, who are in a situation he has never found himself in before, then it’s pretty clear he has once again crossed the line.
If his Lakers, or his Bulls never cried following a playoff loss, perhaps after a series of consecutive losses, or for whatever reason, then I question their commitment to the team. Commitment can be shown in many ways yes, but why is crying any different. Why does crying make them any less masculine, any less of a team, any less of professional basketball players.
The fact Spoelstra was open with it suggests something that far outweighs any stupid, unnecessary comments from Jackson. He sees no issue in it and he understands the power in what had happened in that locker room.
I would much rather play for a coach that understood that.
Original Story:
http://kingjamesgospel.com/2011/03/09...
