I love to watch debates about the Miami Heat. Regardless of how their successes and no matter how competitive they have been in the playoffs, there will always be a few voices clouding their victories and focusing on their errors. Can you blame them?
That has become the way of the sports world. When we run out of things to say about greatness, we sink towards the failures that each team has displayed. No matter who wins the Finals this year, their journey will be disapproved by plenty and their championship arrival tarnished by a never ending slew of what ifs.
Therefore, my imagination is not challenged when I see criticism of Miami’s starting lineup. Let us not speak ill of Philadelphia and how they have managed to dig themselves into a 3-1 series hole. Their athleticism has been complimented instead of questioned, and Andre Iguodala given a pass for his lackluster performance in the first three games.
The slate has been wiped clean because of Lou Williams’ clutch shot in the last moments of Game 4 that sent both teams back to South Beach.
Yes, Miami has not accelerated past their potential against an obviously inferior opponent. However, who truly believed that this series would be as lopsided as it has been?
Debates at the desk of ESPN’s First Take have urged the public not overlook the age and lack of experience that Philly carries. In the NBA, everyone should be held at professional standards, and forgetting that the 76ers have blown major leads in every game this series is less than acceptable.
LeBron James has been allowed two double-doubles, both of at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, and only shot below 50 percent from the field in Game 1. Where is the defense?
This is the postseason and excuses cannot be made. The Memphis Grizzlies are creating a stir within the San Antonio camp. No one felt that Tony Randolph, OJ Mayo or Marc Gasol would be able to effectively contend with Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan.
Memphis is the eight seed in the west and are competing like their lives depend upon it in the more talented conference in the league.
Why is no one holding the 76ers to that same level of accountability?
Miami is not infallible, as they have shown in the early halves of this series. They seldom begin with a hot hand and seem to take time getting into their groove.
The Heat have only scored a combined 75 points in the first half while the 76ers have scored 101, yet they fail to command the defense in order to keep a tight grasp on the lead.
Andre Iguodala is literally handing over the second round appearance by averaging 8.8 points per game, only notching double digits in the last two games. He re-emerged as the leader for the Philly squad, but it should not have taken him until his back was up against the wall in order to take that leadership position again.
However, when discussing the games, Iguodala is rarely spotlighted for his shortcomings. I am not too big on moral victories, which is why when asked how I am evaluating the game, I respond that I am looking at both teams to play their hearts out.
Effort is required and has not been consistently given in Iguodala’s case. He has only gotten to the rim 10 times the entire series, and unfortunately, the city of brotherly love is not holding their hero accountable.
Admitting that the Big Three have been excelling is not easy because of the premature championship celebration held at of James’ and Bosh’s arrival in Miami.
However, to say that they have failed in terms of coming together and playing games like they should is unfair and a little bitter. Giving credit where it is due feels like a hard task, because they have already credited themselves. Still, why does everyone else receive the benefit of the doubt, while they struggle to get a thumb up?
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