Can The Heat Make It Without Bosh?

    

The Match-up

     Game 5 of the Pacers-Heat series is tomorrow, and the series is tied 2-2. Conventional wisdom says that the winner of Game 5 in a 2-2 series will win it 9 out of 10 times, so that makes this a pivotal game in the grand scheme of things. The Heat overwhelmed the Pacers in game 1. The Pacer's size dominated the Heat in game 2, and their scoring ability crippled the Heat in game 3. LeBron and D-Wade carried the Heat to victory in Game 4. Last year in the playoffs, the Heat won each of their first 3 series' in 5 games. That will not happen this year, but what will?

The Good

     In short, anything is possible. Two scenarios could play out the rest of the series: LeBron plays like the MVP and Wade plays like he did in the old days, or LeChoke's decision comes back to haunt him again, this video is played across the world to Mock the Heat, and Dwyane Wade continues shooting [see: Missing] jump shots. If LeBron and Wade both play well for 4 quarters, the Heat's potential is limitless. Think about it: A finals MVP and a league MVP playing together in the primes of their careers? Its scary to think of how they play at their best. Unfortunately, the on-court chemistry between them isn't anything special to watch for the most part. They have highlights like this, or that, or even this, but their lack of consistency will be the death of them.

The Bad

     On the other hand, if LeChoke shows up, and the team continues to look out of sync, BIG changes will be in store for them. So many questions: Will the 'big three' be split up? Will Spoelstra be fired? Is the experiment a failure? Can this group of guys ever win a championship? Although they have experienced success to a certain extent, this team was built with championship aspirations, and if they continue to lose those goals will never be achieved. 

The Verdict

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are both top 5 players in the NBA today. Without Chris Bosh, they have no other all-star level contributors on the team. However, true greatness is shown during adversity. The Miami Heat have to prove that they are truly a great team by winning despite the injuries.