These are scary times for the average NBA fan. More frightening than the specter of Tim Donaghy’s gambling scandal. Worse than the thought of a Forget Paris remake.
Because it’s bad enough that a labor lockout looms in the coming offseason. But it’s also looking more and more like the champs of that offseason will be the Miami Heat.
Has any NBA team been so deplored by the masses since the Bad Boys era of the Detroit Pistons? Other dynasties have come and gone, but neutral fans always saw redeeming qualities in them. They felt lucky to watch Jordan’s all-time greatness with the Bulls. They couldn’t be mad at Spurs good guys David Robinson and Tim Duncan. Shaq made his Lakers fun. Even Kobe’s Lakers had the redemption of Ron Artest to soften some lingering disdain.
But what, in the eyes of the average fan, is the root-worthy quality of the Heat? The quick answer is Dwyane Wade, particularly here in Milwaukee, where he’ll always be revered for his Marquette days. And some rare souls might set aside their emotions to simply admire the audacious talent, or talented audaciousness.
For most, however, emotions are fused to their fandom, and Wade’s not nearly enough to counteract the harsh feelings. The other factors carry way too much weight. LeBron’s backlash from the worst media “Decision” since Geraldo dragged us into Al Capone’s vault. League-wide jealousy inspired by the self-made super team. Angry frustration that it’s actually worked out. Fear that such success will prompt other stars to do the same thing elsewhere, further separating the league into haves and have-nots.
Yes, the Heat have proven to be as good as everyone thought possible, and moreover, they’re ahead of schedule. This was supposed to be the grace period. They were supposed to need more time to fill in the holes around the big three, then really pour it on over the next couple of years.
But the new New York Yankees needed no grace. If not for six bad minutes in Game 2, when Dallas rallied from a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit, Miami would already have the champagne on ice tonight. As it is, the Heat could finish the series in Dallas, leaving fans with nothing to do but watch LeBron take his trophy to South Beach.
Cleveland’s gonna need more therapists.
As for everyone else, well, there’s always Will Ferrell in Semi-Pro.
NUTSHELLS
* Saw that the Brewers used a first-round draft pick to take pitcher Taylor Jungmann. Will they also take his wife, please?
But seriously folks, it looks like a solid first round for Milwaukee. In addition to Jungmann from Texas, the Brewers got Georgia Tech’s Jed Bradley. Should both sign, it gives the Brewers two highly rated collegiate pitchers who should be ready to help the big-league club in a few years.
* It didn’t work out for Duke Roufus fighters Anthony Pettis and Danny Boy Downes in their Saturday-night UFC debuts. Both were beaten rather soundly, giving them plenty to work on for their next fights.
But one thing Downes has down pat is his postfight interviews. Thoroughly entertaining. Might I suggest the UFC start giving out bonuses for that.
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