Kobe Bryant defends LeBron James against critics

By Sports Authority
JR Staff Writer

The Miami Heat added Chris Bosh and LeBron James to their roster to help their struggling star, Dwyane Wade. While James, and two-time NBA Finals MVP, Kobe Bryant, were winning 50-plus games each year and having deep playoff runs, Wade's teams were winning 40-plus games and losing early in the playoffs.

While LeBron James and his teams did well in the regular season and early playoff rounds, they lost when it counted the most. In 2010, there were no more excuses for James. The spotlight was all on him and his team. When they lost in the second round, to Boston, the critics got louder and louder.

The early exit in the 2010 playoffs helped facilitate LeBron James' move to Miami. Dwyane Wade, who had not won a playoff series since the Heat's title run in 2006, was glad to see two of his best friends join the Heat. But, from the start of the season, LeBron James was seemingly trying to out-do Wade, often making sure he did not touch the ball in some possessions, costing the Heat important games.

By the playoffs, it seemed as if the Miami Heat had found a happy medium between their two stars and even their third wheel, Chris Bosh. When the NBA Finals came, Dwyane Wade helped Miami close out the opening game with a win. Dwyane Wade had a spectactular game two and seemingly single-handedly gave the win to Miami. But, LeBron James ended up costing the Heat game two with selfish, careless, play towards the end of the game. Throughout the rest of the series, James' play was up-and-down.

While not needed in the "star" role, he was needed to be one of the biggest contributors on the floor, but he was not, for some reason. His attempts to rebuild his own game, hindered Wade and cost the Heat a championship they were on their way to cruising to. Because of this, LeBron James has been blasted by the media for a third season in a row. Ever since 2008, the media has been trying to create a rivalry between James and Kobe Bryant.

Due to James' inability to win when it counts, the rivalry has not yet had a playoff game. With James now a part of the Miami Heat, it seems as if the rivalry will never come. Despite this, he and Kobe Bryant have become good friends. Tired of the bad press on LeBron James, Kobe Bryant told the media to lay off of him. Despite preparing for his ninth season in the NBA, LeBron James is only 26-years-old. Many of the legends of the game did not win until they were at least 30, or more, and some never won.

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Trouble in Paradise as the Miami Heat struggle

By Sports Authority
JR Staff Writer

The Miami Heat have been the most-scrutinized team in the history of the NBA. When LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team he had turned into a championship contender, in order to join the Miami Heat, led by Dwyane Wade, he lost much respect.

Wade spent his career under the shadow of LeBron James, despite having a more successful career. In his first three seasons in the NBA, Dwyane Wade was arguably better than James. In his third season, he had led the Heat to a championship.

However, injuries limited Dwyane Wade's performance for the next two seasons. By the time he returned to full strength, the team was no longer a contender. Dwyane Wade spent two seasons being a great player on a horrible team.

Chris Bosh was stuck in a similar position with the Toronto Raptors. Bosh had become an incredible big man, but he played under the shadow of Vince Carter. Following Carter's departure, Bosh turned the Raptors into a playoff contender. But, by 2010, Chris Bosh acknowledged the fact that he needed some help. Many sports outlets suggested Bosh leave Toronto to play in Miami with Dwyane Wade.

LeBron James had been chosen by many as the next Michael Jordan. While James had been spectactular, he never did well in the clutch. By 2008, the Cleveland Cavaliers were favorites to win the NBA championship each year. Each year, James had the Cavaliers close, but when it came down to the wire, he was unable to pull of the same tricks Wade was able to.

The pressure was on James to win in 2010, but his team suffered a surprising and embarrassing loss at the hands of the Boston Celtics. The Celtics had embarrassed the Heat in the previous round, giving birth to the newest Heat rivalry. During the summer of 2010, Chris Bosh joined the Miami Heat, instantly making them contenders. Then, LeBron James left Cleveland in order to join the Heat too.

With three of the NBA's best players playing in the NBA's favorite city, many people became overnight fans of the Miami Heat. The pressure was immediately placed on this new team, with them facing Boston on the first night of the season. All of the talent in the world could not save them from an embarrassing loss in the big three's first game together.

For the most part, it has gone unsaid, but the Miami Heat's struggles are mainly to blame on LeBron James, the "superstar" of the team. After seven years in Cleveland, James was the go-to guy. But, in the clutch, he left his city hanging year after year. Meanwhile, when healthy, Dwyane Wade pulled off magic tricks in order for the Miami Heat to get that extra win (Dallas 2006 NBA Finals).

Wade, entering his eighth season with the Heat, was the all-time leader in most categories. But, from the start, LeBron James has been trying to assert himself as the "new leader" of this team. When the Heat have had success, a stretch in which they went 22-1, it was because of Wade leading the team. However, once the Heat were playing well, LeBron James wanted to "lead" again.

The selfish play of LeBron James has cost them a great deal of the games they lost. On opening night, James did score 31 points, but he was never hot. Dwyane Wade got off to a slow start and LeBron James made sure he did not heat up. There was a play in which Wade was wide open for a dunk and James held the ball and forced a shot up. With a given closer on the team, he should pass more.

Yes, LeBron James is a two-time MVP, but Dwyane Wade is the leader of Miami. But, when the cameras are on, it is James trying to be the hero. He has cost Miami winnable games against Orlando twice, Atlanta, Chicago twice, Boston three times, New York twice, and Dallas twice. Now, with five consecutive losses, the other players on the Heat, Wade and Bosh, are getting vocal.

LeBron James taking over the Miami Heat should not be an issue now. As the undisputed king of Miami coming into the season, Dwyane Wade should have made things clear. LeBron can be the two-time MVP all he wants to be, but Miami is still his house. Instead, Wade played the humble role and now James has become an even bigger ball-hogging monster.

Perhaps, if there was another team meeting to discuss the roles of each player on the team, the Heat can put something together to at least win 55 games on the season. If they work something out now, they might be able to put together a solid playoff run. But, things are not looking good for the Miami Heat. From the way things seem, a team with three superstars will be losing in the first round of the playoffs.

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Carmelo Anthony done at Denver?

By Sports Authority
JR Staff Writer

While under the shadow of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, there was another man drafted in 2003. Carmelo Anthony changed the fortunes of a team in one season. The Denver Nuggets had settled as one of the NBA's worst teams for well over five years. Their fortunes changed when they drafted Anthony.

In one season, Anthony led the Nuggets from the cellar to the playoffs, losing in the first round to Minnesota. The next five years would have similar endings, first round losses. On the other side of the league, however, Dwyane Wade led the Miami Heat to a championship. LeBron James became a two-time MVP.

Even with all their accomplishments, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James teamed up to win titles together. They could not do what Carmelo had done for seven years, make the playoffs each season. It would be the summer of 2010 that forever changed the NBA's landscape. Carmelo Anthony has a guaranteed playoff spot in Denver, but a small chance of winning an NBA championship.

After seeing LeBron James and Chris Bosh jump ship for Miami, Carmelo Anthony has strongly considered leaving his longtime team in Denver. Many people compare Anthony to Kevin Garnett, who stayed with his team despite losing in the first round seven straight seasons. The Denver Nuggets are looking to make space on the roster instead of taking on more contracts. Because of this, it would be better for Anthony's championship dreams if he found a new team elsewhere.

During the summer, the New York Knicks tried to make a deal for him and the New Jersey Nets are currently trying to make a deal for him. In 2006, Carmelo Anthony said he would remain in Denver for the rest of his career. But, after eight years, it is looking like his career will be wasted on a team that is getting worse by the day.

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Tony Parker leads Spurs to NBA's Best Record while divorcing Eva Longoria

By Sports Authority
JR Staff Writer

Three years ago, Tony Parker and Eva Longoria wed on the happiest day on Earth, 7/7/7. Only a few weeks prior to their marriage, Parker had just led the San Antonio Spurs to their fourth NBA championship, winning the 2007 NBA Finals MVP Award. Despite the difference in age, Eva Longoria was positive the marriage work.

Eva Longoria often made the news as Spurs' head coach, Greg Poppovich, did not care much for her. He admitted she was nice, but he thought she was a distraction to Tony. It turns out the coach was wrong about that. Despite Eva attending most Spurs' games, they continued to win.

Other women ended up being the distraction for Tony Parker. When his "Desperate Housewives" wife, Eva Longoria, discovered what was going on, she made quick work of him. Immediately, she filed for divorce and it is clear she is being distracted by this. While Eva may be a little rattled, Tony Parker is going about his business.

Each year since the 2007 NBA Championship, Tony Parker has continued to play well, but the Spurs have gotten worse each year. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics revamped their roster and dominated the league, while Kobe Bryant has turned the Los Angeles Lakers into repeat champions. But, this summer, the Miami Heat stole the show when they not only re-signed Dwyane Wade and landed Chris Bosh; they also managed to sign LeBron James.

Most analysts predicted the Heat, Celtics, and Lakers to dominate the NBA this season. Each team has had their moments, but Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs have silently put together the best record in the league. The Lakers have played great and the Utah Jazz have come from behind on multiple teams, but no team in the league is currently on the level of the San Antonio Spurs.

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Dwyane Wade gets his Super-Team, but they Fail to Win

By Sports Authority
JR Staff Writer

Four years ago, Dwyane Wade was on the fast track to success after leading the Miami Heat to a championship. The feat was impressive because Wade was only in his third year. More impressive was the fact that he put the entire team on his back and led them to a spectactular comeback to win the ring.

For the first time, sports media outlets were questioning if Wade was possibly better than LeBron James. There was a moment in time when Dwyane Wade was getting credit for his accomplishments. However, the next season would prove to be a test, as the Heat struggled and Wade was injured midseason.

The knee and shoulder injuries kept Dwyane Wade out for most of the 2007-2008 season and the Heat posted the NBA's worst record. The next season, Wade redeemed himself, and was the best player in the league. Despite his performance, the Heat continued to struggle, but made the playoffs. Soon, rumors of Dwyane Wade leaving Miami began.

Last season, there were times when it appeared as if Dwyane Wade had given up on his Heat. No matter what, they just could not get things right. Wade needed a real team around him because his top rivals, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, were leading well-rounded teams. The Heat took a risk in the 2010 offseason by unloading their entire roster. But, it paid off when Chris Bosh left an even worse situation in Toronto to play for the Miami Heat.

Following Bosh's exit, LeBron James left his league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers to also be a part of the Wade-led Miami Heat. Sports experts said the new-look Miami Heat would easily dominate the leage and win the championship. But, two weeks into the season, the Heat seem to only be able to defeat the weaker teams in the league. Already, the new-look Heat are 0-2 against the Boston Celtics and they have also lost to both the New Orleans Hornets and Utah Jazz, teams they are supposed to easily defeat.

Even with this super-roster, Dwyane Wade finds himself in a similar position to the position he holds each season, barely holding on while everyone else dominates.

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Chris Bosh gets engaged

By Mr. Hollywood
JR Staff Writer

Following another disappointing season with the Toronto Raptors, things have changed for Chris Bosh. After basically wasting seven years as a great player on a horrible team, Bosh went down to South Beach to join Dwyane Wade. Only a day later, LeBron James also joined the Miami Heat.

Going from missing the playoffs one year, to possibily winning a championship the next, Chris Bosh is overjoyed. With everything going strong for Bosh, he plans to keep things in his favor. Recently, the NBA star popped the question to his longtime girlfriend. Towards the end of August, Bosh proposed.

The story has been backed up by Bosh's representative, Tammy Brook. She confimed that Chris Bosh proposed the traditional way, getting down on one knee. Bosh met his girlfriend, Adrienne Williams and they began dating a year ago, during his days in Toronto. This caps off a summer that included an appearance on the HBO series, "Entourage," ringing the New York Stock Exchange bell, and doing the "Got Milk?" commercial.

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Chris Bosh may leave Toronto for the Bright Lights of Miami

For the past seven years, Chris Bosh has been the star player of the Toronto Raptors. The past seven years have been met with mixed results. It was not until 2007 that Bosh led the team to the playoffs and after 2008, the team returned to mediocrity. The problem that has plagued Bosh throughout his career is that a proper supporting cast has not been built around him. Some people feel that he would be better off if he were to play as the sidekick, while someone else was the star. It is possible that could soon happen.

When the Raptors were on the run to their first playoffs since the departure of Vince Carter, Chris Bosh was excited. He said that people often asked him why he never tried to leave Toronto to play in an American city. In response to those people, Bosh said that these players are the man in their respective cities, while he is the man for an entire country. But, three years later, all of the endorsements are passing him by, while other players are going after theirs. Plus, it is always cold in Toronto.

Following this season, Chris Bosh will be a free agent and the Miami Heat want him. There are many reasons outside of basketball that could lead Bosh to Miami. For starters, it is a great place to meet up with businessmen while they are out for play. The real deals are closed in New York, but they are opened in Miami. Also, the Heat have the most cap space in the entire league, if Chis Bosh were to sign with the Heat, he would make a lot more money that if he stays in Toronto. Then, the endorsements would be more inclined to go in his direction if he played in a bigger media market, such as Miami. Unlike the other free agents, Bosh does not have the roots to his city that Dwyane Wade and LeBron James often speak of.

Then, on the basketball aspect of things, Chris Bosh wants to win and the Toronto Raptors are not going to win anytime soon. Not only will he have a great teammate in Dwyane Wade if he signs with the Heat, but they can also afford to sign another player. The opportunities for Chris Bosh in Miami are almost limitless if he were to leave his longtime team in Toronto for the bright lights of Miami. There is not any person that is more aware of this than Chris Bosh, himself.

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