Ok, so the Miami Heat have dropped yet another game, putting their record at a dismal 2-9. Not only did they lose another game, they lost another home game, putting their home record at 0-5. I don't know if Heat fans remember, but just 3 years ago, the Heat were unstoppable at home. They posted a 35-6 record at home in the 2004-2005 season and a 31-10 record in 2005-2006 season. Also, how about the fact that the Heat are 0-3 in the Southeast division this year. Lets go back 3 years ago again, the Heat were an outstanding 15-1 in the Southeast. So, what is going on??? 0-5 at home? 0-3 in the division? 2-9 overall record? They still have D-Wade and Shaq. But I am fearing that could change in the near future.
Once a team wins a championship, they are expected to continue the success and keep winning. But once that team starts to fall off the map and begins to get older and not be the team they used to be, changes start occurring and players/coaches/fans start to get restless. This happened with the Los Angeles Lakers when they lost to the Pistons in the 2003 Finals or after the Nets, Pacers, and 76ers lost to the Lakers in the finals . The team starts to break up: Trades happen (Shaq to Miami), free agents don't resign (Kerry Kittles, Kenyon Martin), Coaches quit or get fired (Phil Jackson, Larry Brown), and teams start looking towards the draft. The Miami Heat are looking like they might be heading towards this direction and I am worried. I really hope this doesn't happen, but its a possibility and this is why:
We all know what Pat Riley has done in the past when the Heat start to falter- He quits or "leaves temporarily". After the Heat had their 25-57 season in 2002, Riley quit as head coach and gave the reins to Stan Van Gundy. Then last year, when the Heat got off to their dismal start, Pat Riley decided to leave mid-season to get hip surgery and gave the team to Ron Rothstein. So, what will happen this year if the Heat keep loosing? Will he leave the team due to psychological damage due to his team's inability to win?
What about superstar Dwyane Wade. He is in his first year of a very short contract of 3 years. Will he refuse to resign with the Heat in 2 years when his contract expires if his team keeps loosing? Although he says he is not worried about the Heat's slow start, you have to think that he is frustrated. A player of his ability will not stay around with a team that is wearing away by the day.
What about Shaquille O'Neal? He still has 3 years left on his contract, but that's not what I am worried about. I am worried that he might get fed up with all the criticism that is being placed on him by Pat Riley and will end up just opting out of his contract or pulling a Stephon Marbury, and leaving the team altogether. He is a player known for speaking his mind and if things start to hit the fan, I wouldn't be surprised if he showed no loyalty to the Miami Heat.
What about the rest of the team? Ricky Davis, Jason Williams, Penny Hardaway, Dorell Wright, Chris Quinn, Smush Parker, and Earl Barron are all in contract years. Will any of them want to return to the Heat if they don't make the playoffs and superstars Shaq and D-Wade are disgruntled?
Also, Pat Riley is already telling the Miami Herald that ''There are no assurances," and "I'd like to see this team develop into a consistent winning team without much change. But I think the wins are what it's going to be about. We'll see over the next month.'' The Heat just made a trade for Ricky Davis to become the team's 3rd scorer, and their already talking about making more trades to improve the team. What trade pieces do they have? Who are they going to trade? Udonis Haslem? Dorell Wright? Either way, this shows Miami is already starting to push the panic button.
Hopefully, everything I said will not happen and the Heat will turn it around. Hopefully, D-Wade is not worried for a reason and he will be able to turn this team around. Hopefully, Shaq and Ricky Davis will step up and the trio of Wade, Shaq, and Davis will become one of the best trios in the league. Hopefully, Pat Riley will get them motivated and get them back to their championship form. Hopefully, just hopefully, they will realize that they really do have a great starting five and a Hall of Fame coach and will be able to turn this season around and avoid all H*ll breaking loose.
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