By Josh Cohen
June 15, 2011
I have kept track of some of the more popular questions that fans have after the completion of the 2010-11 NBA season and I decided to provide my answers and analysis to a few of the more striking curiosities.
QUESTION: What were your thoughts of the NBA season this year?
ANSWER: If you disagreed with LeBron James’ decision last summer to bolt Cleveland and unite with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, I think it’s imperative to reexamine that assessment following perhaps the most compelling season in NBA history.
Never before in professional sports history has a player and accompanying team provided such unparalleled entertainment. All of the statements and commentary, including LeBron’s post-Finals pushback against all of his challengers, and the enduring drama that betrothed fans is why the NBA has evolved into must-see television.
While many may have opposed the way James departed his home state to team up with other All-Stars, it ultimately created a stir that allowed people, who perhaps prior to this season didn’t regularly follow the NBA, to become magnetized to the game.
Ratings are soaring (24 million people, for instance, tuned in to Game 6 of The Finals) and conversations are still buzzing about the number of intriguing storylines around the association.
It was joyful to watch Dirk Nowitzki, who for years was criticized for not catapulting the Mavericks to the title, celebrate Dallas’ first championship in franchise history. It was exciting to watch a riveting MVP battle all season between Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard. It was exhilarating to get a glimpse of the future while observing Blake Griffin display remarkable stunts on the court.
And the best part is: It’s going to get even better. Rivalries will become even more intense, the trade market may become even more active and storylines will remain just as absorbing.
There is no better time than now to be an NBA fan.
QUESTION: What are some expectations you have of the Orlando Magic for next season?
ANSWER: This is an extremely difficult question to answer considering we don’t know what the makeup of the team will be.
It’s inappropriate, however, to speculate or gossip about trade rumors because the validity to any of them is always somewhat dubious.
There are, nonetheless, a variety of ways to examine the situation. First off, President of Basketball Operations Otis Smith said recently that it’s somewhat unreasonable to base the performance of a team that did not have a full season together.
It’s no secret that the Magic following December’s two blockbuster trades did not gel the way the organization hoped. But, there are some who believe that with a complete training camp together and more offseason rehabbing for the injured, this team still has potential.
However, I don’t think there is much doubt that the team will explore potential deals – perhaps on Draft night or later on in the offseason.
The goal is to always improve and the Magic will stop at nothing to assure they are in contention to win the title next season.
QUESTION: Do you think there is any chance the Miami Heat break up their big three at some point?
ANSWER: It sounds ridiculous and from a basketball perspective it essentially is, but I wouldn’t rule it out completely.
With LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh playing together, the Heat will be a championship contender every season. They are explosive, dynamic and overwhelmingly more talented as a group than just about any other foundation in the league.
But the one facet that may become a greater concern for the Heat is that of the pressure and negative publicity they tend to deal with on an every day basis.
Especially after losing in the NBA Finals, Miami will have to contend with all the scrutiny from the media and the celebration from fans that don’t support the team.
It’s possible that at some point, James, Wade and Bosh will surrender to the relentless controversy and basically decide that perhaps playing together is not in the best interest for each of them. There may come a point where being the antagonists and villainous characters just isn’t fun anymore.
Maybe at some point all three will once again want to be the “obvious” leader and star on their own team rather than it be indeterminate.
I expect the Heat to come back next season with extra motivation to try and erase the pain they suffered from this year’s NBA Finals. But, if they don’t fulfill their ambitions next season, I would not be surprised at all if discussions come up about potential trades involving the big three.