If only I weren’t contractually obligated to dissect and disinfect last night’s heartwarming rendition of LeBron James’ “Home for the Holidays.”
If only I weren’t required to stare stoically at the Hock Shop’s hoopla, blinking less than Nancy Pelosi and overanalyzing every stolen glance.
(Feeling similarly pressured, ESPN atypically took its coverage a bit too far by showing up at the Heat’s Cleveland hotel the previous evening and televising LeBron’s turndown service.)
If only the Heat had accepted the Cavaliers’ offer to supply lake transportation to the game … via Carnival Cruise Lines.
If only TNT had thought to hire Dwyane Wade’s ex-wife to do sideline reporting.
In view of James’ decision, if only the league office had rescinded John Lucas’ 150G “recruiting” fine.
If only Mike Brown had been asked to come back and honor the return of Zydrunas Ilgauskas … by ignoring him.
If only undercover security people had not been so unrecognizable we would’ve been able to appreciate their dunking skills on the layup line.
If only security hadn’t been so uptight by limiting each fan to no more than an unconcealed 3-ounce bottle of venom.
After Cavs general manager Danny Ferry decided to leave, if only spurned fans had burned his button-down dress shirts.
If only owner Dan Gilbert had been able to carry his own grudge without enlisting the help of several bellhops.
If only Erik Spoelstra had shoulder-bumped LeBron during pregame introductions.
If only the Cavs had told LeBron to bleep off when he courted the cordiality of some sitting on the bench during breaks.
If only people would understand the onus of Miami’s success (learning how to beat the big boys comes first, the championships arrive much later) sits squarely on the signature shoulders of LeBron and Wade … and, to a lesser degree, Chris Bosh … not Spoelstra.
Unless the Heat coach impedes the 2 ½ franchise players from prospering by cuffing their ankles together, it’s up to them to figure out how to utilize their accreditations to get that done as painlessly and promptly as possible.
It’s how they see themselves in the funhouse mirror; how they’ve compiled celebrity and opulence since graduating from the sand box; what they’re being suitably compensated for; and what their recruitment resumes promised.
Their job is to battle five-alarmers. The job of a coach — no matter how reputable or experienced, is to put out brush fires.
Allow me to qualify that. A coach’s most important job probably is to create a winning environment by establishing a code of conduct, and then follow the advice of game inventor Dr. Naismith who stated: “Basketball is meant to be played, not coached.”
The great players never look to the sidelines for guidance when gears grind and nerves jangle. That’s why this drivel about Spoelstra somehow meddling with LeBron’s genius is so weak, a pathetic excuse for his diminished dominance.
I have no idea whether LeBron was (is?) unhappy as anonymous sources (on his payroll?) allege. I find it fanciful that could be the case this early in the game. Unfathomable, too, is LeBron getting bent out of shape by Spoelstra’s alleged comment during a closed practice about him not being serious enough.
Some observers interpreted that supposed remark as negative. I view it as Spoelstra trying to motivate LeBron, to extract more force and focus, appeal to his vast willpower and crushing competitiveness — you know, coach him a wee bit more than he’s accustomed.
Great players rarely have a problem being prodded and tweaked and coached. They don’t need to consult tape the next day to find answers. They don’t necessitate being told what to do, instinctively knowing when to do it … repeatedly until it stops working.
And rarely (the operative word) do they use the coach as a crutch. Magic Johnson’s mutiny against Paul Westhead and ultimately Pat Riley after both had won a title or four challenges the above paragraph.
In any event, hardly a practice goes by, we’re unremittingly reminded, without Gregg Popovich picking on Tim Duncan in such a manner. The point being, if the Spurs’ pinup player can be taken to task, how can anyone else cop an attitude?
It’s unclear exactly when the LeBron-Mike Brown crisis reached its crucible late last season. Did it happen when LeBron lost his fascination with the offense? When the Cavaliers lost a critical playoff game or two too many? When Brown made unrealistic demands? Or began holding him accountable?
Probably a mixture of all the above.
Clearly, Spoelstra plans to coach, not coddle, LeBron. Just as he plans, you can be sure, to give him more freedom than he already has, once rules, boundaries and limitations are established, a la Red Auerbach, Red Holzman, Chuck Daly, Rudy Tomjanovich, Riley, Phil Jackson and Popovich.
Auerbach created a winning team environment and Bill Russell took care of business; common sense determined he seldom practice to save his legs and energy for games.
Chuck Daly created a parallel code of conduct and stepped aside so Isiah Thomas handle things between the lines.
Holzman allowed his Hall of Famers to call their own plays.
Michael Jordan barely tolerated the triangle offense but went along with it because Jackson would place the ball/responsibility in his hands when the verdict was being deliberated. Same goes for Kobe.
If Spoelstra didn’t coach LeBron, he’d be perceived as spineless, by everyone on the scene and those digging for dirt, but mostly by LeBron and Wade and Bosh & Co. And we all know what would be next.
Well, I got news for you; Spoelstra’s not remotely spineless. What’s more, he has Riley’s full (season) support. Guaranteed LeBron got that message five-by-five in talks with both men, and seemingly (see: LeBron’s game-high 38 points in three quarters in last night’s 118-90 Heat victory) already is eminently more “coachable.”