Does anyone else feel this way about L. James and the Heat?

[Cowboys22]

After seeing all the hype and listening to the people involved, I get the impression this was planned for a long time and that kind of disturbs me. Let's look at the facts.

1. All three guys signed identical short term deals three years ago to insure they would be free agents together.

2. During those three years, the Miami Heat made moves specifically targeted at opening up the roster and cap space to coincide with this year's free agency.

3. LJ himself said last night that they formed a partnership 7 years ago on draft day.

4. Alonzo Mourning, a Heat front office guy, said yesterday that this has been planned for a long time and they knew it was going to happen.


Does this not point to some type of collusion, seeing that the Heat seem to have been in on this plan for quite a while? Does the NBA have rules against collusion? Didn't the Mavericks owner just get fined or threatened with one for talking about James? Meanwhile the Heat are actively putting all the pieces in place for him knowing him and Bosh would come. There had to be contact going back and forth between all three players and the Heat front office for some time now. I think this gives alot to credence to those who say James quit or let up in the playoffs. He knew he was leaving because this plan was in place for a long time and it would be much harder to leave if the Cavaliers would have won the title or even made it to the finals again.

Maybe I'm reading too much into this but I think some type of investigation is in order here to find out the extent of the Heat's involvement with James and Bosh before the free agency period started. Something just doesn't feel right about the whole thing. If they go on to win multiple titles, this kind of thing could find it's way to the NFL with several big name free agents getting together and deciding to go to the same team for less money. I, for one, think I will be rooting for the Heat to fail. Like I said, something about this whole thing seems fishy to me!

 

[Vintage]

Its become clear that this has been orchestrated for awhile now. There were rumors of it when they signed those 3 year deals, the rumors continued on the Olympic team, etc.... I just think most people (myself included) thought it was going to happen.

History shows us this is rare.

Let's go back a little ways.... to the 80s. You didn't see Larry or Magic flipping teams, or Isiah and the Pistons when MJ/Pip/and the Bulls arrived. They stayed with their repective teams to try and beat the 90s Bulls. Look at Olajuwon, one of the best centers ever to play, he didn't get his ring opportunities until MJ retired. But he didn't leave.

Sure, you saw aging stars at the end of their careers jump: Malone went to LA; Barkley went to Houston, Payton to LA then Miami, etc... but that was always at the twilight of their career, trying to chase a ring that they tried to earn on their own.

What just happened was unprecedented. 3 superstars team up in the prime of their careers....

I don't think its going to become common.

Durant just re-upped. Carmelo has a choice to either re-up before the new CBA, or he could possilby leave for NY (but that's not because of Amare, that has more to do with him being pro-NY, having played collegiate ball at Syracuse).... and guys nearing future elite status in Rose/Evans/Wall (all of whom look like the relish the alpha dog role).

The good news for NBA fans (such as myself) is that this looks like an outlier. The NBA has feasted off of great rivalries, Bird-Johnson, which gave way to Jordan, which gave way to Kobe-LeBron-Wade, etc.

Tomorrow's superstars (the Rose's, the Wall's, the Durant's - though, he is one now, the Tyreke Evan's) appear to be cut from the same cloth as the past stars.

We are going to have a 6 year abberation, that's for sure.

and judging by the Heat press conference, the triumvirate expect this to be an easy go for 6 straight rings.

Boston is aging quick... but they've proven they can turn it on playoff time. And their physical play will be too much for Bosh down low, but will it be enough to slow down James/Wade?

Orlando disappointed this year - big time. But they've proven that with Howard down low, and their shooters lighting it up, they can give anyone a run for their money. Howard needs to take that next step, though. I think Howard would be much better off with Olajuwon than Ewing as a mentor. Howard is a physical presence like Ewing, but he doesn't have the moves down low that Ewing did. Howard is at his best when he is moving around, using his quickness to get open... similar to Hakeem. Its just unique that Howard can do that at his size.

And lastly, there is LA. They have the star power in Kobe. They have the high low game with Bryant and Gasol. They have the bigs with Gasol, Bynum, and Odom. And they have a physical wing defender in Artest. If Bynum can stay healthy (a big if), LA's size is almost impossible to counter (Boston does a good job, however).

The big 3 could very well rattle off 6 titles in a row.

But its not a given. Nor will it be as easy at they apparently think it will be.