On Sunday, the Miami Heat lost another heartbreaker in the final seconds of the game against the Chicago Bulls. The new big 3 of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh have gone a combined 1-15 shooting in the last 10 seconds of a game with a chance of tying or taking the lead.
This is something the Heat should be accustomed now to this season, but after the game coach Erik Spoelstra said, “there are a couple of guys crying in the locker room right now.”
So even though no one is owning up to the tears, I will try and narrow down the suspects to reveal the crybaby.
Juwan Howard, Eddie House and Joel Anthony
None of these three played in Sunday’s game due to coach’s decision. And even though these players may have been the typical subjects to a breakdown in grade school, Howard, House and Anthony are professional athletes comfortable sitting on the end of the bench collecting paychecks. So we can check them off the list.
Mike Bibby
Bibby gave up $6 million next season to play with a contender this year. Since signing with the Heat, Bibby is playing limited minutes and has only 7 points, shooting 1-7 from beyond the arc, with 6 assists. Miami has lost all three games Bibby has played in and quickly realizing no matter what he wont have a contract next season. However, Bibby has made over $100 million in his career and still laughing his way to the bank.
Mario Chalmers
Chalmers played big minutes against the Bulls and had the biggest +/- margin in the game at +12. His three with just over a minute left tied the game at 84 and made a driving layup to take the lead with only 25 seconds left. But coach Spoelstra still doesn’t have the confidence to give him the ball in crunch time. After games, I’m sure Chalmers is still smiling at the picture of his game-winning shot in the NCAA national championship game in his locker.
Dwayne Wade
The Miami Heat is no longer Wade’s team. LeBron has stolen the spotlight and his shots in late game situations. The only reason Wade had a shot to win the game on Sunday was due to a loose ball after James’ missed layup. Wade also denied to comment if he cried during his post game interview. Although I think I saw him slip on his championship ring as he left the podium.
LeBron James
There has been nothing but hype surrounding LeBron since he entered the NBA. He has been compared to some of the greatest NBA legends to ever play the game including Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. But the self-proclaimed “King” has been ridiculed throughout his tenure for not being able to make the big shot. This season LeBron is 1-8 shooting in the final seconds of close games including Sunday’s loss. After the game he stated, “I told my team I’m not going to continue to fail them late in games.” Were their tears behind those words?
Chris Bosh
Bosh has given up the most to play with Miami: money, statistics and most of all, glory. With LeBron and Wade on the floor, Bosh will always be the third option. They are no longer labeled as the big three, but rather two and a half or two with a solid third. Without a championship, Bosh is no longer a lock for the hall of fame. He has been stapled as soft and ever time he looks in the mirror he has to cringe. Are comparisons to RuPaul and this most recent demise enough to make a grown man cry?
Though we may never figure out who actually shed tears in the locker room after the game, we know have a pretty good understanding of where which player is coming from and can make our judgments. And as the Heat continue to play teams above .500 over the next couple of weeks, our guesses may become more evident.
