Miami Heat: Comparing the new Big 3 to the original Big 3

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 13: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat stares down Jimmy Butler #21 of the Chicago Bulls in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on May 13, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. The Heat defeated the Bulls 88-65. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 13: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat stares down Jimmy Butler #21 of the Chicago Bulls in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on May 13, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. The Heat defeated the Bulls 88-65. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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Miami Heat
Kyle Lowry #10 of the Toronto Raptors is congratulated by Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

Ways the new Miami Heat Big 3 compares and contrasts to the original Big 3: Compares – One main star

One of the main similarities between the two big threes is that everyone knows who the main guy is. For the original Big 3, it was LeBron James; for this new Big 3, it is Jimmy Butler.

While it took the old Big 3 a season to figure this out, the new Big 3 will all know their roles right away. Butler is the guy in Miami and has been ever since he signed with the team.

Butler may not be the player who will lead the team in scoring, but he is by far their strongest leader. He is the face of the franchise and will be until he retires.

The roles may not be the same, but each Big 3 definitely had pretty well-defined roles for each of its players. Butler’s is to be the leader.

Ways the new Miami Heat Big 3 compares and contrasts to the original Big 3: Contrasts – An elite point guard

Calling Kyle Lowry elite at this point in his career may seem like a stretch, but the point is that the Miami Heat have a great point guard at the helm this time around.

The lack of a point guard never hurt the Heat in the early 2010s because LeBron James was such a great playmaker. That being said, having an All-Star caliber point guard will definitely help them this time around.

Mario Chalmers was no slouch, but Lowry is certainly the better player, even at his older age. His leadership and championship experience will be extremely helpful in leading this Miami team to the top.

Having that go-to ball-handler will be a huge help for this current Big 3. It’s also a big-time difference in how each of the Big 3s were built.