How quickly you forget about similar questions surrounding the Celtics after they wrapped up signing the Big 3 prior to 2008. I've asked before and I'll ask again, do you really think Pat Reilly isn't going to surround these guys with capable role players? They already have Mario Chalmers who can most likely go from a 10 PPG guy to a 15 PPG guy. The rest is up to the Heat front office, who I have faith in.
First of all, I'd be stoked if the Celtics had this younger "Big Three" as much as I appreciate Banner 17 and the potential for Banner 18.
For those who think that with all that salary tied up in James, Wade and Bosh prevents them from gaining the other role players that they'll need, they need look no further than the Celtics, as you note.
That being said, you've got to factor in Ainge's talent in finding and signing those role players (helped by recruiting by our own Big Three) as well as a degree of luck (drafting Rondo was a bit of both) and the desire of some quality role players to come to Boston for less than full market value.
Whether the Heat can duplicate the Celts' championship comes down to a number of questions:
1. GM - will Pat Riley have the ability and luck needed to sign the additional role players needed to win a championship? That remains to be seen. He's had some hits and misses in player selection - but then again who hasn't? Much here depends on whether the right role players will buy into the need to accept below market value to make more in a future contract as well.
2. Coach - can Pat Riley manage the huge egos he's now dealing with? The short answer is a clear "Yes" - he's done so in the past but much depends on the players themselves. (See #3)
3. The Players - Can the new Big Three coexist, share the ball and excel? I'd say "yes" but it will be interesting to see how they do when they hit a rough patch - losing some games, as they certainly will - and seeing if the pressure and blame game undermines their relationship.
Doc Rivers did a tremendous job getting everyone on the same page with his "Ubuntu" schtick - and the players deserve credit for pulling together as well. That's not easy to replicate - the fact that the Celts Big Three was older was actually a big PLUS for the Celtics as they had spent 10 plus years in the league and knew the clock was ticking.
The Younger Big Three in Miami will have to be considerably more mature than their ages or egos suggest they can be if they want this to work.
4. Health - Players get injured. Dominating the regular season means nothing if one isn't healthy and playing well in the playoffs. Younger players are not immune to injury and a Big Two, without enough role players around (particularly a rough rebounder in the middle), will not be enough to win a Championship.
5. Pressure - There's a ton of attention and pressure on Miami and all these player now (I know I'll be watching) and any faltering, anything short of sheer dominance, anything short of a championship will be looked at as failure. Things are set up nicely for a Banner - but they are set up just as nicely for immense disappointment amid immense pressure.
So there's still a lot of factors at play here that will keep it interesting for the Heat and for the rest of the NBA, which still has many teams that can dethrone a Heat team that's yet to even have one practice.
But overall, congrats to KontradictioN and all Heat fans for this major coup of team assembly. I'd be pretty stoked if I were you.
