LeBron, Wade now dominating as a dynamic duo
MIAMI -- Yes, vacation did reset my LeBron James-tolerance button, which in turn crystallized some of The Chosen One's off-court issues.
But it turns out the time off also erased the everyday effect -- the taking for granted -- of watching Dwyane Wade and LeBron grow into on-court teammates.
That, too, is a stunning thing to return to and see up close after a week away -- the overpowering reality and the basketball beauty of watching those two players compete together, in sync, not alternating parts but now dangerously together teammates.
Being away from the Heat for more than a week helped me see more clearly how unusual the LeBron-Wade dynamic is. This isn't Jordan and Pippen, Kobe-Gasol or Tim Duncan and David Robinson, each Batmans to their Robins.
These are two greats, top-five NBA talents who are sharing the stage with each other in ways that usually lead to conflict and eventually championships.
This is Shaq-Kobe.
Only these two players have figured out sharing the spotlight together much more quickly. And they actually like each other.
On Monday and Tuesday, they also put on a show, one that ended with a 101-89 beating over a Bucks team tricked for much of the game into thinking they had a chance. The dynamic duo scored 59 of the Heat's points.
Co-players of the month in December, Wade and LeBron have found harmony together, on and off the court.
And while I don't often use the words "LeBron" and "harmony" in the same sentence, truth is truth. When it comes to D-Wade, LeBron does indeed seem to be a fantastic teammate.
"The games that we played together, multiple games, has helped," LeBron said. "Watching film together has helped. Just figuring out what needs to be done for us to help this team win. Whether it's both of us on the court together or one of us sitting down, we've figured it out."
Indeed.
During December, LeBron averaged 25.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists per game. Wade averaged 27.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists per game.
And the Heat were nearly unbeatable.
In Charlotte on Monday, during a 96-82 win, LeBron scored 38, Wade 31.
And against the Bucks, they were again incredible, feeding to one another, alternating turns in taking over the game, then combining to put the Bucks away in the fourth quarter.
This doesn't even get into Chris Bosh, a not-so-bad Robin against Milwaukee. His stats against the Bucks were downright heroic -- 19 points and 12 rebounds.
When you see something every day, you get accustomed to it. That's the thing about the human condition: Anything -- horrible things, wonderful things, painfully dull things, all and everything -- can become normal with enough time.
So it is for those of us that watch the Heat play every day.
Those who don't see the Heat play every day, and don't have the luxury of getting used to this thing growing in south Florida, are the 19 of the 20 teams that have lost to them since Nov. 29.
Yes, Boston remains formidable, and Chicago will be a very dangerous team for Miami to face in April or beyond.
But with LeBron and Wade not just playing well together, but enjoying it -- particularly LeBron, who's enjoying it with a vivid enthusiasm not seen in his interactions with, say, head coach Erik Spoelstra -- there are a lot of reasons the Heat remain Vegas odds makers favorites (Hilton Superbook has them at 9-5) to win the whole thing.
If I had to bet, I'd bet the Heat roll until the playoffs, play strong, fall to Chicago or Boston and then come back next year and get it done.
But there are clearly a lot of variables in play, including the lack of a guarantee that the good things happening between Wade and LeBron means LeBron's off-court issues won't eventually impact his on-court performance -- or that of his teammates.
But there is no denying the sheer incredibleness of an NBA team co-captained by LeBron and Wade, two of the league's five best players.
To see it fresh, as I did Monday and Tuesday night, reinforces just how dangerous this team has become.
Love LeBron (hello, Miami) or hate him (hello, a lot of the rest of you), there's no denying his talent. Or the sheer basketball beauty of two epic talents in tandem.
And while there's also no denying the grown-up child star's talent for turmoil and the accompanying problems that could crop up, talent is talent.
Especially when it is not sidekicks but true superheroes in union playing together with ease and comfort.
Which wins out, the kinks in the armor or the superheroes wearing it, remains to be seen.
But two days back reminds me it's going to be one hell of a ride either way.
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