MIAMI, (Reuters) – When LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined the Miami Heat in 2010, teaming up with Dwyane Wade to form the ‘Big Three’, James famously promised “not one, not two, not three” NBA championships.
It was a boast that was mocked and criticised in equal measure as traditionalists winced at the sight of the two free agents celebrating their own arrivals in a pop concert style rally.
James continued that promise, at the glitzy event, even getting as far as “not seven” as he emphasised the need for multiple titles.
So far the Heat, in the James era, are at one.
The first year with the star trio ended in defeat to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 Finals but they recovered to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder last year.
This year they brought the normally routine regular season to life with a remarkable 27 game winning streak – the second longest in NBA history.
Now, after seeing off the Milwaukee Bucks (4-0), the Chicago Bulls (4-1) and the Indiana Pacers (4-3), the Heat are up against the hugely experienced San Antonio Spurs.
If the series end in defeat for Miami, the questions about the effectiveness of Heat president Pat Riley packing the roster with experienced but ageing talent will surely return.
Victory though and the pundits will turn their thoughts to whether the Heat are on their way to becoming one of the league’s real dynasties – albeit one which will need some rejuvenating.
The supporting cast in this current Heat team has a short shelf-life – Ray Allen, Shane Battier, Udonis Haslem, and Mike Miller are all in the twilight of their careers.
