LeBron James’ time with the Miami Heat is over, but there are still lingering feelings between everyone involved.
That sound you heard in AmericaAirlines Arena Saturday night was the Miami Heat using the proverbial hammer to strike another nail in the coffin that the Big Three era rests in.
That’s because the Heat defeated the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers for the fourth straight time in Miami since LeBron’s epic decision to return back to “The Mistake By The Lake.” Saturday’s game even bought about “LeBron needs Riley” chants as the clock wound down with the game in hand. Many people have taken to rejoicing when LeBron loses, especially in Miami. Just don’t count me as one of those people.
For me, LeBron leaving didn’t signal any sort of betrayal or disloyalty. What it DID signal, however, was a man that had unfinished business on his mind. Whether that unfinished business be bringing a championship to his home state, or proving that he could lead a group of underachievers to the promised land, is definitely up for others to interpret. What isn’t up for interpretation, however, is that his business in Miami was complete.
If you go back to the letter he penned when he announced his return to Cleveland, he stated that Miami was like a college experience for him. He got to leave home and play with his friends in one of the best places in the country. They went from vilified underachievers to champions and helped usher in a new wave of basketball. But those of us that have been to college can attest that once those days are over, they are done.
The joy looked to be over by June of 2014, and there were plenty of questions going forward about the makeup of the team and the upside going forward. Dwyane Wade’s knee issues were troublesome, Chris Bosh’s future with the team was in question, and the bench was aging and ineffective. Maybe LeBron took that as his graduation from his prime into his twilight and began thinking of the bigger picture.
Which brings me back to Saturday. Wade has been fantastic when the Cavs visit Miami (26.5 points per game, 56 percent from the field), and has stayed remarkably healthy since LeBron left. Meanwhile, LeBron has struggled with injuries, not only to teammates Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, but his own injuries. He’s also lacked the on-court synergy with those two that he mastered with Wade and Bosh.
Does LeBron miss playing with his friends, especially in the midst of his recent struggles with his Cavs teammates? Probably. But they are also fresh off an NBA Finals appearance and hold the number one seed in the Eastern Conference and haven’t clicked yet. Miami, has also moved on, with Loul Deng and the emerging Justise Winslow taking his place. In addition to that, the Heat are in position to reel in a big fish from the upcoming free agency class.
What that means, is that both parties have made peace (in their own way) and have moved on toward the future. Just the way it should be.