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It was Wade’s performance that left the Magic in the dark

The Miami Heat came out to “Hate Me Now” by Nas right before the tip-off.

• LeBron scores under 20 points for the second consecutive game, the first time he has went for less than 20 in back-to-back contests since the 2007-08 season.  Chris Bosh was for 2-9 from the floor and generated only 11 points.  This shows me that on some nights Dwayne Wade can still take the majority of the shots (20) like he did against Orlando in the home opener and the team will win, despite LeBron and Bosh having “off” games.  LeBron and Bosh don’t necessarily an abundance of shots in order for them to be efficient, and for the team to be successful.  They can do other things, like set up teammates (LeBron, 7 gifts) and protect the glass (Bosh, 9 boards on defense), as demonstrated against the Magic, to impact a game.  Wade, on the other hand, still is transitioning and getting used to having the ball less and taking less shots.  Right now, he needs the rock; like he has whole career in South Beach (other than the ’08 Summer Olympics for the Gold Medal Team USA, has he known how to play otherwise?), to make up for the time lost during preseason and get back into a basketball rhythm.  With his outing in the team’s impressive 96-70 victory over last season’s Eastern Conference runner-ups, I think it’s safe to say he’s back and the team is ready to dominate.  The flow of the game is much smoother when Wade scores and attacks, LeBron facilities and distributes, and Bosh plays the role of a 3rd man.  Wade and LeBron are different players: LeBron can make his presence felt without scoring, however, Wade has to score to make a difference.  For the time being, how they played against Orlando, is the way to go; until Mike Miller returns and the team is more acclimated to each other.  Wade’s aggressiveness and ability to impose his will on a certain game is different than LeBron’s -and that’s the beauty you will see as the campaign prolongs and the team progresses.  For Miami, there’s only one way to go -and this is up.

• Who said the Heat will have trouble playing defense?  LeBron-Wade-Bosh can’t play elite defense, they are just concerned about scoring and stats, and getting their own.  Egos we get in the way of defense and they have never played swarming D before in their pro careers.  ’08 Olympics, the exception?  The team defense which was on display against the best perimeter shooting team in the Association was anything like the way critics expected it to be; yes, it was more Celtic-like if anything.  How dare I compared this “me” squad to the ultimate “team of, all teams”?  They rotated and closed out on the three-point shooters of the Magic similar to Boston’s suffocating defense, and held them to just 30.4 % shooting and 4-24 from the land of plenty.  Shall I say, they took a page out of the Celtics book, and played stellar team defense?  20 misses compared to four makes, I don’t know, but I think that’s championship-caliber defense.  Now granted, Orlando was coming into the second night of a back-to-back, so we have to view this dominant defensive performance in its proper perspective.  Nonetheless, we also have to take into consideration that we have yet to see the best from Miami on defense.  Scary, right?

• Coming into the game against Orlando, “Miami Thrice” was heavily scrutinized, and rightfully so; with all the expectations that were expected with one of the league’s finest trios ever to be assembled.  Still, only two games into the season, and one of those games against the representatives of the East, it was a bit premature to start calling for Pat Riley and blasting Dwayne Wade.  In the whole process two things got overlooked: The good, the Heat held the Celtics to just 43 points in the 2nd half of their disappointing loss to the team that took the Lakers to 7 in this past Summer’s NBA Finals.  Despite their lackluster play, they closed to within 83-80 of the C’s, with a chance to steal a game in Boston.  The bad, Chris Bosh is not ready for the big stage.  So far, through three games, if it’s any indication the way Bosh has played, it’s easy and safe to say it will take the former Raptor the longest of the “Big 3″ to adjust to the new team.  11-32 is unacceptable for a player of his skill with a talented mid-range game like his.  Needless to say, if there’s one thing to doubt concerning this “super team”, it has been the shaky, yet early, play of #1.  For this thing to work, LeBron and Wade need their fellow friend to warm up to the spotlight in South Beach.  If LeBron and Wade are “Batman and Robin”, than Bosh has been playing like “Alfred”.  All can agree on this point: I don’t think you can play like a “butler” when you are an athlete that earns millions upon millions of dollars.

• I have three problems with this Magic club: 1. Dwight Howard and the team is better served with him dominating the game without having to score and shoot a lot.  They are at their best when everyone outside of Dwight is taking and hitting their shots, mainly, from downtown.  Plus, it gets to the point that team’s are smart enough to foul Howard whenever he finds excellent position in the post, which is more often than not.  That means he goes to the free throw line, and more than not, he misses.  It’s almost like a “Catch-22″.  The only big game that visibly stands out where the real “Superman” dominated offensively and his team won; was Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals in 2009, when they humiliated LeBron’s Cavs to get to the Finals to play Kobe and the Lakers.  In that Playoff contest, he went 14-21 shooting and 12-16 from the charity stripe for a powerful 40 points.  At the moment, many thought it would be a sign of things to come.  Against the Heat, he showed that his time spent with Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon in the Summer working on post moves, was well spent and provided immediate results.  Even Chris Bosh during his half-time interview, said he must have worked on his game this past off-season and added shooting to his repertoire.  Yet, I think he’s too strong to be that kind of player, and I think he’s better off continuing to be the enforcer in the middle, blocking and altering shots, dominating the glass, and being on the receiving end of alley-oops and finishing up the leftovers from missed shots.  Why do we criticize Dwight for not being more polished on the offensive end, when it only hurts his team?  This club is geared for the Defensive Player of the Year to impact games without the ball, rather than with it.  2. Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter have all the talent, money in the world, but not enough consistency and ability to match it with production.  I just cannot see the Magic beating the Heat, Celtics, or even the Bulls, and maybe even the Bucks with these two leading the scoring.  They have to lead the scoring with the way the team is set-up, but they are not aggressive enough to impose their will on a big-time game.  I would be shocked if the Magic get past the 2nd round of the Playoff in the East this season.  Now if there was a team that needs a Melo or a Chris Paul, it’s Orlando.  3. Live and Die by the 3 – so easy to do, yet so tough to win with this plan.  If they continue on with this plan, it takes away from their ability to attack against the superior defensive teams in the East.  Length, size, and good rotation can squash this plan rather easily.  If they go away from this plan, who they have to penetrate, drive, and create off the dribble?  Who can score other than Dwight from inside the arc?  No one on this team can hit the mid-range jumper nor can any one consistently get to the foul line and make teams pay by driving.  Well, that is, unless you are Vince Carter.  But to rely on Vince Carter?  Maybe the Vince Carter from the 2001 Eastern Conference Semifinals when he dominated the Bucks.  He’s not the same Vince Carter and this Magic team is in a tough situation with him being their best option to score.  This team is geared to win its usual 50-60 games and exit early in the Playoffs.  A change needs to be made, better yet, a blockbuster deal had to be executed.  A trade for Melo or Paul could do the trick.  Melo would replace the efforts of Lewis and Carter, giving the team a #1 scorer for the first time since the days of T-Mac, and Paul would give the team a “true” point guard replacing Jameer Nelson.  Speaking of Nelson, he would be # 4 on the list.  The team could use a pass-first floor general like they had in the ’09 Playoffs with Rafer “Skip to my Lou” Alston.

• Quick pull-up jumpers and fast break points: Rajon Rondo’s 24 assists against Amare’s New York Knicks are the most dimes by an NBA player since Isiah Thomas had the same amount in February of 1985 and the most by a Celtic since Bob Cousy had 28 dishes in 1959.  Kevin Garnett had this to say: “If you’re not ready, he’ll embarrass you. He’ll hit you right in the head with the ball,” “He’ll see something you didn’t see, but he’ll make you see it.”

• Two games in, and two clutch performances in the fourth quarter complimentary of PG Devin Harris to lead his New Jersey Nets to two wins.  It took the Nets all of 19 games to register their first victory last season and to December 8 to reach their current total of wins.  Against Detroit on opening night, the team was down 8 (92-84) with 3:10 remaining in the 4th quarter, and against Sacramento their were down by 8 once again (97-89) with 3:40 to go in the game.  In both contests, Jordan Farmar came off the bench to hit clutch three-pointers to close the gap.  So far, the combination of two PG’s in the back court during crunch time has worked extremely well for the Nets.  Let’s see how they play against Miami at home on Sunday afternoon.  Oh, and by the way, if you don’t know, now you know: Brook Lopez is the best true offensive post-up player in the Association outside of Pau Gasol.  He put up 29 in the team’s 106-100 win over the Kings.

• People fault Josh Smith for his lack of offensive game, but let’s forget about that for a moment and applaud his effort blocking Andres Nocioni’s potential game-tying three.  The Hawks survived a scare with Smith’s block in Philly with a 104-101 win to improve to 2-0.  Smith now has 11 blocks in two games.  Although he may not have a complete all-around game, he makes up for his lack of balance with hustle, all-world athleticism, and clutch plays.  Remember last season, he had two tip-in dunks at the buzzer to beat Houston and Orlando at home.  Rare, rare player that does so much that goes beyond the box score.

• Back to the 76ers, Andre Iguodala had his typical “stat-sheet stuffing” game with 27-6-10-2-1.  I would like to see both he and Nocioni on contending teams this Spring.  How about Iguodala in Houston or Portland and Nocioni in Miami or Boston?  I should make a list of the 10 players that should, need to be playing for contenders to showcase their skills to the world come Playoff time.  Iggy is definitely in my Top 3 and the baller from Argentina will make my list too.  I love Andres’ toughness and his versatility brings so much to the table, plus, he’s played in a countless number of pressure-packed games.

• Two things I wonder concerning the Indiana Pacers: 1. How would Danny Granger look with a Playoff team?  Would he still be a scoring-machine (scored 33 vs. Charlotte) and become a better overall player or would he diminish under the bright lights?  2. Tyler Hansbrough – I can’t believe some so-called experts said he wouldn’t make it in the NBA.  In 20 minutes off the pine against the Bobcats, Hansbrough went for 12 points, four boards, two thefts, and one rejection.  Whether it be off the bench or in the starting line-up, work ethic, energy, and hustle will always have a place in the NBA.

• More Pacers-Bobcats: Gerald Wallace is another “stat-sheet stuffer” and had 29 points against Indiana, which brings up the obvious point -when can we finally see him with a contender?  I’m interested to see him play in a meaningful game.  So fun to watch.  Darren Collison: the former UCLA Bruin and New Orleans Hornet had a tough night against Larry Brown’s club, going 2-10 from the floor for just seven points and six assists.  Which begs to question: Who would you rather have starting for your team at PG for the future – Collison or the Bobcats’ D.J. Augustin?  Pacers starting front line: Roy Hibbert and Josh McRoberts – two guys at the Collegiate level that I thought had no chance to start in the pros.  Now at the next level, they are proving me wrong and playing solid basketball starting for the Pacers.  I thought Hibbert would not have the athleticism to succeed in the NBA and McRoberts was more of an athlete than a basketball player.  Turns out, they both have what I thought the other one didn’t have, making them well-rounded players.

• I can’t figure out forwards Gerald Henderson and Boris Diaw.  They have all the talent in the world, yet with Diaw he’s too sporadic and Henderson he’s just too unpolished.  Well, maybe with Henderson it’s a case of coach Brown not playing him because he’s young.  I can’t stand the Bobcats; time to rebuild, reload, and get super young.  Start by trading Jackson, Diaw, and Wallace -this team is going nowhere.  Whoever thought this team could get back to the Playoffs is absurd.

• I’ll go quick crossover dribble with the Cavs-Raptors: The Cavs are who we thought they were.  As for the Raptors, why did the Nuggets let Linas Kleiza go?  He’s an excellent sixth man and an outstanding scorer.  Very underrated, strong for his size at the 3.  Jose Calderon can help a serious contender at the PG position.  I still believe he can flat-out play and become a valuable asset to a good team.  How about Portland, to back-up Andre Miller?  He has played games for Spain, doesn’t miss free throws, takes care of the ball (tremendous assist to turnover ratio), and shoots well from outside.

• I wish somehow, some way, the Bulls could have kept Ben Gordon.  Imagine him off the bench for Chicago.  He scored 32 against OKC in the team’s 105-104 loss at home to the Thunder.  It was a game the Pistons should have won after Charlie Villanueva hit a go-ahead three to make it 104-103 with seven ticks to go.  After the shot, he was replaced by the defensive stopper, Ben Wallace.  Too bad, he nor the Pistons could defend or stop Jeff Green from making the game-winning basket.  Green has an easy lay-in on a drive right by all the Pistons.  Green, who I don’t think is a #3 (don’t think Russell Westbrook is a #2), had 21 points and has made me look wrong so far.  Imagine how good he would be if he would stop shooting ill-advised threes (1-8 against Detroit) and take it to the cup more often.  I don’t know about this game -should I be down even more than I already am on OKC or should I believe that the Pistons are a better team than I what originally thought.  They should be 2-0, if not for blowing games late.

• More OKC: Big man Serge Ibaka had 16-10 (six offensive boards) and continues to impress and wow me with his skills and progression.  He also added two blocks, and had four against Chicago.  Block machine.  Also, James Harden is too “hit or miss” for a 3rd overall pick.  What if they had Curry instead of Harden?

• Final thoughts: 1. Chris Paul is a legitimate MVP candidate, David West will make a trip to L.A. this February for All-Star Weekend, and Trevor Ariza fits perfectly with this New Orleans club.  Hornets will make the Playoffs if they continue to protect their house like “Under Armour”.  Hornets-Nuggets-Suns-Jazz-Grizzlies-Rockets: will all fight for the last three spots in the loaded Western Conference.  Three will be left out.  I got the Rockets, Hornets, and Nuggets in and the Suns, Jazz, and Grizzlies out.  Lastly on the Hornets, I like their depth and scoring punch off the bench -it compliments a solid, starting five.  2. New York Knicks loss in Boston makes me even more sure they will make the Playoffs along with the Nets for the final spots in the East.  Amare can take on the #1 role.  3. I’m not down on my Bucks after losing in Minnesota to drop to 0-2.  4. Marc Gasol is one of the best under-the-radar players.  His presence, impact made a big difference in the team’s 91-90 victory over the Mavs.  He got fouled with six seconds to go in the 4th quarter and made the game-winning free throw.  He finished with 10 points and 15 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass, to go along with four assists.  Very talented big man, just like his older brother.  Who said the Pau Gasol trade was lopsided?  Darrell Arthur, the player acquired with the first round pick netted in the Gasol-Lakers trade, put up double figures for the second time in as many games.  Gasol and Arthur both start for the Grizz.  5. Finally, I’ll leave you with this: the other team in L.A., the Clippers, have no shot in making the Playoffs despite first-year sensation Blake Griffin.  Back to Pau Gasol, now you know why they call him the “best all-around big man” in the NBA -he went for a near triple-double, going for 21-8-9.  Lamar Odom added 18-17-5, who needs Andrew Bynum?  The interior passing of the Lakers’ bigs is mind-boggling.  Oh, and the “Black Mamba” a.k.a. Kobe, said he’s knee is fine and don’t ask him about it again.  His play backed it up with 25 in the win over the Suns.  Kobe, back-to-back champions face the high-flying Warriors in a battle of unbeaten in the Staples Center on Sunday night.  Forget football, Sundays are for basketball.