King Nothing.

By Migs Cortez

We have all been witnesses, yes, to a drama that isn't worth our while.

First, we had Lebron's decision to "take his talents to South Beach". Then, we had the party that made it seem like the Heat had been transported back to 2006. After that, we had the highly anticipated opening night game against the Celtics, which Miami lost. Then, we've had to sit through Lebron and Coach Erik Spoelstra downplaying what can be obviously characterized as palpable tension on the Heat bench.

Lebron James is slowly showing that he isn't in the same league as the Jordans, Kobes, Birds, and Magics of the hoops universe because of the fact that he seems to be out for one person and one person alone- himself. 'Bron has said that he wanted to be a "facilitator" in Miami, but what's happened is that he's inevitably become the ballhog he was in Cleveland. That's part of the reason Dwyane Wade has looked so out of sync, because D-Wade is the sort of baller, who while he can be effective off the ball, is primarily an on-ball type scorer. Chris Bosh is sort of the same, and it doesn't help that he hasn't exactly been getting enough help in the banging department from the creaky knees of Ilgauskas, Magloire, and Howard. There's a story behind King James having been criticized for supposedly "coasting" through certain games in the Cavaliers playoff tiff against Boston last year. Lebron is human, yes, and he is entitled to the injury alibi as much as the next player, but then, it was what it was. He settled for long twenty footers instead of going to the hole, and on defense, he sometimes lacked interest, and only looked pumped with chances at highlight reel type blocks on breakaway layups. Apart from that, he didn't look to much like an on-court monarch to me.

Pundits have mentioned that this Heat team should be given time to mesh. Yes, I do expect the chemistry to improve, but so long as the poison from Akron dons a jersey for Riley's squad, 2006 may not come again for a very long time.

Maybe the Heat not winning a title would add more drama before a denouement which would only bring vindication for Lebron James through absolute, unadulterated, victory. Who knows? Maybe the denouement would simply be written out as, "One of the best never to win a ring".

Right now, both sides would probably call an odds on 50-50.

-MC-