I heard a lot of well respected analysts and former players suggesting that if the Heat lost the Pacers series, they should break up the "Big Three." Now, it might seem a little more knee-jerk if they lost in the Finals this year, but more than anything, this playoffs has really exposed the toll that the game has taken on Dwyane Wade's knees over the years, as well as Chris Bosh's inability to be any sort of defensive or rebounding presence in the post. He's prematurely assuming the role that guys like Garnett, Jamison, and Webber assumed at the very end of their careers. I could be wrong on all accounts here, but these are the facts, as far as I think I understand them - - Dwyane Wade does not have a no-trade clause, because he signed his extension a year before he could have demanded one (I've heard conflicting reports on this though). - The Heat still maintain the ability to amnesty a player, afforded to them from the previous CBA and could amnesty the remaining three years of Bosh's nearly $62 mill contract. - The cap space provided from amnestying Bosh alone would not likely be able to net them Dwight Howard, unless they made a trade involving Wade that also freed up cap space. I'll attach a poll to this one... what direction do ya'll think the Heat should go in, if they should lose this Finals?
Bosh is 28. Playing out of position (especially against Hibbert) Has a decent DRTG, despite him being out of position. Has a similar PER to Aldridge and similar rebounding rate. I'd say Wade is the one who should be "looked" at. But, all it takes is one half-decent center to ring chase for them to fix there only real issue - and allow Bosh to play his natural position. Anyway, I'd look at moving Wade, but I don't think LeBron would like that, although it could certainly be in Miami's best interest. Also, I'm fairly certain this knee injury is more than a bone bruise, but Wade definitely in on the decline, and you gotta sell at top dollar. I'm sure The Nuggets or Jazz would listen to some offers.
I doubt an amnesty of one of the big three will happen just because they would be able to get something for Wade/Bosh. I think they may try to break it up regardless of what happens this finals. Wade has shown that he can't take the wear and tear anymore and Bosh has become the softest player in the nba. I'd say they look this summer to move Bosh for some cap relief and a very promising player (say to sacto for cousins or to Utah for Favors+Gordon) but I don't see teams really willing to give up a lot for Bosh because of how he has played recently and because he could very likely only be a one year rentall. Wade means to much to the franchise for them to look to move him for pennies on the dollar even though the savings for being able to get rid of a big money maker is looking to be in the 30m in luxury tax range because of the repeater tax and I don't think a team is going to trade an up and coming star for Wade at this point. Miami will want to move Wade/Bosh because of the potential HUGE savings in luxury tax next year but both Players have more value to the Heat then a team would be willing to give up to acquire them. Maimi will put feelers out to see the interest but much like Pau Gasol this year I don't think there will be a team willing to give up a lot to acquire either player.
Since when has having a similar rebounding rate to Aldridge been a good thing? I realize Aldridge had a career year on the boards and that Bosh is playing out of position, but still, it's not like we're comparing him to Randolph. The reality is that this season, Bosh had a lower TRB% than Jason Smith, who makes his living off pick-and-pops and spacing offensively. You raise a really good point when you mention LeBron's interest in trading Wade. He's essentially the de facto GM, like Jordan and Kobe were, and it seems like he's pretty close with Wade. I also agree with you that his knee problems probably go deeper than a "bone bruise." He really plays with half the intensity and explosiveness he used to play with. That's another good point about what Wade means to the franchise. Not only do you have the LeBron variable, like OregonHuskerMan pointed out, but Wade also means a lot to the franchise in other senses. Hell, he's been there since he was drafted in '03, won a title for the franchise before "The Big Three," played an integral role in recruiting the LeBron/Bosh combo, and then accepted less money to play for a true contender. You can't just toss a guy like that on the wayside. I like your Pau Gasol idea though... with all of the shit talk about Pau this year aside, the Heat would be a hell of a lot better off with him than Bosh.
The Lakers pitched Shaq off to the side after he helped win them three titles. Teams make tough decisions. Sometimes they have to trade/release someone that means something to the franchise. They need to sell LeBron on staying and that will mean bringing in some younger talent. Bosh is still in his prime, but Wade is definitely starting to fade a bit. I'm not sure who they could get, but I'm sure there's a number of stars that would love to play for Miami.
If the Heat lose, it's because they're no longer a "big three". The Heat are sort of screwed. LeBron's not going to tell them to do anything like get rid of Wade or Bosh - he's learned his lesson. So they just have to sit there panicking about him leaving in free agency.
You don't break up a team that won like 42 of 45 games with two of their three main superstars in their primes. Bosh just needs a good kick in the ass. And Wade needs to develop more of an off-ball game and improve his shooting like Kidd did later in his career. If they lose, it will be because of matchup problems, and they can address those by fixing the pieces around James/Bosh/Wade (including Spoelstra).
If the Heat break up the big three they must build though the draft! So how funny would it be if Wade went to Cleavland for the #1 pick in a package deal? Oh wait Miami is a large market team so they don't have to build out of the draft like the Blazers.
When LeBron first landed in Miami I predicted it was only a matter of time until they trade Wade. It just seems obvious that if you blow up the trio, he's the odd one out. LeBron's too good, and Bosh is too much of a complement to LeBron's skill sets. Wade has a long history in Miami, but hey, even most superstars don't spend their entire careers on one franchise. If Shaq, Garnett, Nash, Paul and T-Mac can move, so can Wade. Frankly, though, I'm hoping LeBron moves to another city, whether it's Cleveland or somewhere else. I'd just love to see him get to the finals and win championships on a ton of different teams. Bill Simmons said we should just call his dynasty team The LeBrons. It implied that sometimes the LeBrons played in Miami, sometimes Cleveland, and maybe sometimes somewhere else. His cast of teammates would always change, but hey, we all know it's just about LeBron. Ideally, you know, LeBron just walks the earth, meets people... gets into adventures, wins an ass-load of championships. Like Caine from "Kung Fu."
What if he said, "I'll sign a two-year deal for a max contract with the team most likely to get me a championship or two in those two years. Afterward, I'm done. No hard feelings, but I've got lots of cities to see. Come give me your best offer." The idea got me wondering, would such a career plan make him more or less marketable? If he came to Portland on a two-year stint and got us two rings, a lot of us would be creaming ourselves over him. Hell, Bill Walton only got us one ring and he's still revered. I think if Michael Jordan had chosen this path he might not have retired in the middle because things would have just been so damned interesting. LeBron wouldn't be able to sign the huge extensions, but just imagine all the jerseys he could sell and endorsement deals he could line up.
Weird that a team that just won a ring last season, then made it to the finals the next; would be considered with any type of "blow up". Just because Indy made wade and Bosh their bitch, doesn't mean those players are shells of themselves. Indy just has really good defensive sg and center. Of course they will struggle against them.
Yup. 3 finals appearances in 3 years. I think even suggesting this idea of breaking them up is ridiculous.
Paying an awful lot to have Dwyane Wade be someone's bitch. They could keep LeBron and Bosh, trade Wade for someone a little bit younger. He still has drawing power.
Wade is a big reason why they're in the finals. This is downright silly talk, unless the CBA rules are so harsh they are compelled to.
