Did D-Wade force LeBron's hand?

Miami Heat: Did D-Wade Force LeBron's Hand?

Miami Heat Guard Preaches Stability; Will His Running Mate Stay Put, Too?

Yahoo! Contributor Network Jim McCurdy 4 hours ago

COMMENTARY | Did Dwyane Wade force LeBron James' hand?

When D-Wade adamantly made his stance clear a couple weeks ago, what with his proclamation that Miami wouldn't be losing its beloved basketball son, he made it clear.

Wade told the Miami Herald at an event serving as a prelude to his fantasy basketball camp he wanted to remain in Miami.

In essence, he was saying let's put to rest the notion that he might opt out of his contract in 2014 when he, James and Chris Bosh are eligible to seek new deals and new digs. Bosh had said earlier he wanted to remain with the Heat.

Two out of three ain't bad, right?

The linchpin, of course, is LeBron, who has been non-committal as to whether another "announcement" might come next summer.

It's crazy to think that free agency and opt-out talk must start a year in advance. Truth be told, that talk has long surfaced, and frankly it's getting old hearing about it.

Even the players -- LeBron excluded, of course -- will tell you this is a dead issue right now. That is, until it becomes an issue next summer. Wade won't let it linger, however. He's insistent he would readdress the issue in late September when the Heat gathers for their annual meet-the-press day, but that would be the last time he would talk about it.

In other words, don't ask anymore.

It makes sense for Wade to stay in Miami. He was an original draft choice of the organization, has won three NBA titles with the team, and has his personal life in order. When the summer of the announcements came in July of 2010, Wade considered jumping ship and signing with Chicago. Reporters crowded his car window that summer during the most maddening free agent summer signing period the game has possibly ever witnessed, seeking an answer while he was velcroed to a steering wheel.

Wade genuinely puppy-dogged his way through the media at that time, saying it was a difficult decision for him. His kids lived with their mom, whom Wade divorced after his NBA career took off in South Florida, in Chicago during that summer signing spree. Now that's changed. Wade has custody of his kids.

Easy come, easy stay.

Bosh isn't going anywhere, either. Frankly, he doesn't carry the same value he did three years ago.

That leads us back to LeBron.

Two out of three ain't bad, right?

Wade suggests Miami's Big Three will remain together. LeBron says he's committed to the Heat organization for now. But, let's face it, he has grown more independent the past two years. When his game took off, so did his mind. He's becoming his own phenomenon -- a cross between wanting more and seeking stature.

For the record, Kobe Bryant is beyond that, which is why a LeBron to LA campaign is as dangerous an afterthought as the failed Dwight Howard experiment was in Tinseltown.

James said he wants to be among the best basketball has to offer when it's all said and done. To do that, he'll need more titles. At least three more, and maybe four to equal that of Michael Jordan. Bosh and Wade might not be able to deliver him three more.

Five on the floor.

That's not going to happen in Miami. No matter how long he stays with Wade and Bosh. The three of them can't win five titles together. The gap is closing in the East, and they all know it.

Which brings us back to LeBron. Regardless of whether it's a television exclusive or a mum's-the-word-for-now response, depending on how he's feeling that day, James political verbage begins in full earnest now. He offered up hints during the chase for championship No. 2 that something would need to change. But, with LeBron, you'll see a player who wants to win who offers up occasional comments to appease the press about his contract situation throughout the season.

Then come next summer, he'll make his decision.

In three years with the Heat, LeBron has not one, but two NBA Championships.

Two out of three ain't bad, right?

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My Take: Wade and Bosh are rapidly declining in value. I could very easily see Miami trying to dump Bosh and holding onto Wade even though he's not what he used to be. And LeBron's noncommittal stance speaks volumes. He probably already sees that this team can't stay on top without major changes.

KJ

KJ,
Agree with your take.
At the very beginning of Mia run it was Big 3, in reality it turned out to be Big 2.5, nowdays it's 1 and 2 quarters.

AK