I can honestly say I watched no more than a handful of NBA games all season and that might be a stretch. The regular season is 82 games of boredom, no defense and generally unwatchable basketball. Any team that’s worth a damn makes the playoffs anyway so I don’t really see the point.
But every year after not caring from October to mid-April, the NBA Playoffs bandwagon slows down so I can jump on.
Teams actually play defense and the level of play is taken to the next level. It’s the best players in the world at their best. It’s fun to watch.
This year is different. I’ll watch the Pacers until they’re undoubtedly eliminated in the second round or the Eastern Conference Finals but that’s it.
If I had it my way the playoffs would be cancelled. Why waste two months of our lives when we already know what’s going to happen? It’s like watching a movie for the first time and knowing the ending. Sure it might be somewhat entertaining, but all the excitement is taken away.
So let’s just schedule the championship parade in South Beach for this weekend and we can call it a wrap on the 2012-13 season. Why waste our time?
I know you hate the Heat. Everyone hates the Heat. I know you hate LeBron. Everyone hates LeBron, even though they shouldn’t.
But don’t let your hatred get in the way of the facts. Miami is going to get its second consecutive title in two months and probably a third and a fourth the next couple of seasons.
They’re the best team in the NBA by far and will be for the foreseeable future. That’s what happens when you have the best player in the world. Add in Dwayne Wade, who is arguably a top five player, and you’re going to have domination of the league.
Can the Pacers or Knicks challenge the Heat in the East? That’s a laughable question.
Can the Thunder or Spurs challenge the Heat in the NBA Finals? Again, laughable.
It’s not going to happen as much as you hope and hope and hope. Sorry to break the news to you. The only mystery is how many games it’s going to take Miami to win four series. I’ll set the over/under at 20.
Be prepared for endless coverage of LeBron and the Heat. It’ll be nauseating. It’ll be annoying. But it’s going to happen. And it’ll be deserved.
We’re seeing a dynasty in its infancy. Miami is going to win a lot of championship unless LeBron bolts after next season. When it’s all said and done he’s going to be compared to Michael Jordan. LeBron will have the rings and hold a lot of records.
You can hate how the Heat came together. You can hate that LeBron made a mockery of his free agency three summers ago. But you can’t and won’t be able to question Miami or LeBron’s greatness.
They won 66 games this year and I assume the Heat will only get better. Don’t be surprised if they challenge the Bulls record 72 wins in a season.
Stop dreaming of another team taking down the Heat in the playoffs. It’s not going to happen. No one is good enough and won’t be for some time. Let’s not waste the next two months of our lives and just give them the trophy right now.
Alex Ross is a senior sports communication major from Fishers, IN. He is the Scout sports editor.
Direct comments, questions and other responses to agross@mail.bradley.edu.
