Miami Heat Chemistry Watch

[Prof. Clutch]

I don't want to make a mountain out of a molehill but considering the fact that the Heat's chemistry is one of the main (and only) question marks coming into this season, I thought some of this was really interesting:

He pumped his fist after passing over a double-team and setting Joel Anthony up for a dunk. He got wide-eyed after breaking free in a defensive drill for a thunderous slam that left teammates more than impressed. He shouted instructions during drills, then got into an animated argument with Dwyane Wade over a scoring dispute as practice was ending.

"That's just me," James said.

"It is, and it was very intense from start to finish," Heat forward Udonis Haslem said.

Wade was guarding James at times during the first practice of the season, with the drills getting so heated that even Spoelstra was getting low into textbook defensive position. Bodies flew everywhere, like when Juwan Howard unintentionally leveled James Jones while trying to defend a 3-point attempt. And it was heated, especially when Wade and James were trying to persuade assistant coach Bob McAdoo -- a Hall of Fame player -- that he had the score wrong of a drill. After all, a down and back sprint was at stake.

James won the discussion, by the way, so off on a run Wade went.

"I was just trying to argue," Wade said. "I just wanted to get in on the argument."

"I've always been vocal," James said. "I'm always going to continue to be a leader, no matter what team I'm on."

For me one of the big story lines is the battle for alpha dog on that team.  Granted it was only the first day and most of this seems harmless, but some of that stuff is interesting, especially the last quote by Lebron.  Will these guys be able to sacrifice in order to succeed with one another?  We'll see...

[Prof. Clutch]

Oh, and here is the source:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/trainingcamp10/news/story?id=5626101

[cornbreadsmart]

     I hear what you're saying. Unfortunately, this is the kind of stuff that will, in my opinion win them 70 plus games next year, maybe break the record, and win them a title. Those two guys are gonna push eachother like crazy. 

[barefacedmonk]

I don't think the Heat will have any chemistry issues....the only problem they will have to overcome this season is us...the Celtics....at the moment, I don't think they can overcome us....but we will see.

[Atzar]

In a way, I think establishing a true alpha dog would be the worst thing to happen to that team.  Bosh seems content enough to be a sidekick, but neither LeBron nor Wade would be okay with being second - they'll try to outdo each other all season long, to be more intense, better on defense, better on the boards, better passing, etc.  They'll push each other to crazy heights, I think.  But as soon as one of them wins the battle and takes control, I think you'll start to see cracks as the loser becomes discontent.

[Who]

Wade and LeBron are going to love playing together.

Those two and Bosh are going to have so much fun this season.

I'd be shocked if that Miami team had any serious chemistry problems. The team was built extremely well both at the top of the roster and with their supporting cast both talent wise and character wise.

[fairweatherfan]

Wade and LeBron are apparently really good friends, but if you watched the end of the All-Star game last year, they were practically wrestling each other for the ball in crunch time.  Not really the same as a game that counts, but it'll be interesting to see how they deal with close late-game situations, especially if they start losing a few of those close games. 

[RAcker]

I don't know why, but this thread itself just made me laugh.  It'll be like getting storm updates for good or for bad.

[Assassin70]

To be honest with you guys...I dont think we will see any cracks in the armor until playoff time.

As Lebron has shown the past few years his team come ready to play in the regular season.

I am a C's fan through and through but having said that, the Heat could win 70 games.  They have 2 absolute beasts on this team that are going to drive each other to new heights.

But I have to add this, the Heat are exactly what (not only we need...but) the entire NBA needs.  I have never ever been this excited for an NBA season then I am right now, I am pumped.

It will be that much sweeter when the old dogs knock off these young pups.

I would actually love to see a Celtics Spurs NBA Finals this year.  Leaving both the Heat and Fakers out of the picture how sweet would that be?

[RAcker]

To be honest with you guys...I dont think we will see any cracks in the armor until playoff time.

As Lebron has shown the past few years his team come ready to play in the regular season.

I am a C's fan through and through but having said that, the Heat could win 70 games.  They have 2 absolute beasts on this team that are going to drive each other to new heights.

But I have to add this, the Heat are exactly what (not only we need...but) the entire NBA needs.  I have never ever been this excited for an NBA season then I am right now, I am pumped.

It will be that much sweeter when the old dogs knock off these young pups.

I would actually love to see a Celtics Spurs NBA Finals this year.  Leaving both the Heat and Fakers out of the picture how sweet would that be?

Don't forget, on a team constructed like the Heat, an injury to either LeBron or Wade makes them a very mediocre team against the C's.

[BballTim]

In a way, I think establishing a true alpha dog would be the worst thing to happen to that team.  Bosh seems content enough to be a sidekick, but neither LeBron nor Wade would be okay with being second - they'll try to outdo each other all season long, to be more intense, better on defense, better on the boards, better passing, etc.  They'll push each other to crazy heights, I think.  But as soon as one of them wins the battle and takes control, I think you'll start to see cracks as the loser becomes discontent.

  You have them trying to outdo each other in most aspects of the game except scoring. That's kind of a best case scenario for Miami.

[Prof. Clutch]

I don't know why, but this thread itself just made me laugh.  It'll be like getting storm updates for good or for bad.

Haha.  You know Racker, I was worried about that when I was making this thread.  I'm not into hyperanalyzing things, and I rarely start threads here, but I read that article on ESPN and couldn't help but be struck by the fact that the Heat's first practice happened to see a lot of competition between Lebron and Wade.

I want to make it clear that I'm not trying to over-dramatize anything.

As I said in the OP, I think this stuff was harmless and I don't think Miami will have many weaknesses next year, but I do find the Wade/Lebron combo to be a really interesting character dynamic.  Two guys who can clearly lead their own teams having to make it work on one team together.  As many others have said, there is a great possibility that they will only push each other to new heights, but there's certainly a chance that ego's could get in the way as well.

Anyway, I'm sure I didn't help myself by naming the thread like it was a CNN title for a tropical storm report.

[Prof. Clutch]

To be honest with you guys...I dont think we will see any cracks in the armor until playoff time.

As Lebron has shown the past few years his team come ready to play in the regular season.

I am a C's fan through and through but having said that, the Heat could win 70 games.  They have 2 absolute beasts on this team that are going to drive each other to new heights.

But I have to add this, the Heat are exactly what (not only we need...but) the entire NBA needs.  I have never ever been this excited for an NBA season then I am right now, I am pumped.

It will be that much sweeter when the old dogs knock off these young pups.

I would actually love to see a Celtics Spurs NBA Finals this year.  Leaving both the Heat and Fakers out of the picture how sweet would that be?

I agree with a lot of this.  TP.

[mgent]

My question is who takes the game-winning shots?  And is the other gonna care if he misses?

[moiso]

My question is who takes the game-winning shots?  And is the other gonna care if he misses?

I don't think it's going to be a problem.  Like with the Celtics, it's not always going to be the same person.  I don't see anyone pulling a Scottie Pippen when the final play was called for Kukoc.  They will be fine.