All last season Dwyane Wade and LeBron James did their press conferences together, usually well after Chris Bosh cleaned up in the locker room, came out and did his by himself.
That combined with Bosh scoring 7 fewer points per game than either of the other two, and the fact the other two took over games far more regularly, led to a perception that it was not really a “big three” in Miami.
Enter Shaquille O’Neal. In his first gig as an analyst he didn’t disrespect Bosh so much as just dismiss him. The Associated Press sums it up.The Miami Heat, they’ve got a lot of great players, the ‘Big Two.’ They will be back.
“LeBron James is taking a lot of criticism, but I know LeBron very well. He hears everything that everyone is saying, so I think he’s going to come back and have an MVP year this year....
“Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, you know, they’re great players, they’re probably the greatest backcourt ever assembled.”
Mario Chalmers would like to remind Shaq he was the Heat’s backcourt partner with Dwyane Wade. Chalmers would like to remind you of that, too, you probably forgot.
Bosh was never mentioned, intentionally as the door was opened a few times for the chance. Bosh heard this during the season and essentially shrugged. Whatever. He’s getting paid and he’s there to win and he seemed not to really care what people though of him or his role.
Sounds like Shaq has figured out this television thing. The fact remains though that the Heat will need big games — and frankly bigger games at both ends — from Bosh if they are to ever take that next step and win a title.
