NBA

The Real Big 3

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by Nick Wershing

As soon as LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined Dwayne Wade in Miami, the trio was given the name “The Big 3”. Anyone who follows sports knows what is meant by this title. The three were supposed to dominate the NBA and win “not five, not six, not seven”… well they were at least supposed to win a title or two. But in their second year together, now playing without Chris Bosh, Miami looks like it will come up short again. So I raise the question: Are they the REAL Big 3? I rank who I think are the top contenders for the true title of “Big 3” in the NBA.

4 – Boston Celtics (Big 4): Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo. What originally began as the Big 3 in the summer of 2007 has now evolved into the big 4 with the emergence of superstar point guard Rajon Rondo. Funny thing is, Rondo is arguably the best of the four now and by far the youngest. Despite proven winning and the fact that the Celtics look to be headed back to the Eastern Conference finals, I have them at four since three of the players will most likely be out of the league within the next three years. Still, look out for this quartet to do some damage while they are still around.

3 – Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden. Probably the NBA’s most exciting, youthful group, this high-scoring trio looks to cement themselves as a force to reckon with for the next decade. Despite the fact that this is the only of the four triads on the list that does not have a ring, I believe they are considered favorites this year, as well as the next few years, to win a championship. Durant and Westbrook have the ability to go off on some of the most ridiculous shooting sprees we have seen in our time. Durant, arguably the best player in the game, can pull up from 5 feet behind the 3-pt arc like no one else in the league. He also has an edge on Lebron since he has hit a clutch game-winning shot multiple times. If only Scott Brooks could learn how to draw up a good play every time instead of the last minute 30 foot shots they Thunder became accustomed to this year.

2 – Miami Heat: LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh. The trio that has sparked the nickname The Big 3, despite being considered just the big 2 by many sports writers, falls in at number two on the list. The Heat are constantly described as LeBron and Wade, Bosh, and the rest of the Heat. Bosh isn’t even considered close to LeBron and Wade’s level. He is to the Heat what Hawkeye is to the Avengers. Iron Man, Hulk, and Captain America steal the show. I like Bosh, and think he is extremely important to the Heat’s success. But this is not how America views him. Wait. I thought this was “The Big 3”? How can someone steal someone else’s nickname (also directed at you, Dwight)? Well, let me explain. The Big 3 of Miami has proven nothing. They were upset by the Dallas Mavericks in last year’s Finals; a Finals in which Dirk played better than any of the three Heat players. The Heat also are the most questioned trio (duo) in sports. No one can deny that this is probably the most skilled group in the NBA, but this does not make them the best three. Until they can prove they can win a championship together, (and have the third member accepted as part of the Big 3) they cannot be the best trio.

1 – San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli. Yes, folks, the real Big 3 comprise the most consistent and methodical attack in the NBA. While they do not command the media attention or prestige of the Heat, they have skills and track record to top the South Beach squad. While other groups dominate them in hype, the Spurs have quietly been a borderline dynasty over the past decade or so. They have four of the past thirteen championships, and are well on their way to another one. They have not lost a game in these playoffs and have won sixteen straight overall. They clinched the top seed over the favored Thunder and Kobe’s Lakers. Duncan remains Duncan, simply dominating the boards and putting up points without displaying any showboating. You never see Duncan slam one home and star down the defender (like Blake) or run to the crowd and pound his chest (everyone else). He gets his job done and moves on to the next play. Tony Parker had an MVP-caliber season. In fact, he came in fourth in voting behind only James, Durant, and Chris Paul. Ginobli remains Ginobli, allowing the offense to run through Duncan and Parker, while still adding his sure part. The Spurs also have the ability to lose a player. When one goes down, the other two step up, not to mention their whole bench. The final deciding factor is the coach. No one is better than Pop in today’s game. The trio of Duncan, Parker, and Ginobli, headed by Gregg Popovich is my vote for best group in today’s game. Obviously when Duncan retires, the Heat will claim this spot. But for the time being, the Spurs are my choice for both best trio and NBA Champs.

Follow Nick Wershing on Twitter: @n_shing

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NFL

The Renaissance of Reggie Bush

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by Jim Bearor

Reggie Bush stirred the pot recently when he said that his goal for this season was to win the rushing title.  Of course this sent everyone at ESPN into a frenzy, as the vast majority of analysts gave him props for showing such confidence, but dismissed his goal for the simple fact that it came from the mouth of Reggie Bush.  This is the same Reggie Bush that was selected with the 3rd overall pick in 2006 by New Orleans, and was more of a novelty pass-catcher than a running back.

When he came into the league, the expectations were high that he would be frequently starring on highlight shows due to his explosive running style.  He didn’t live up to the hype, although he did provide the occasional spark off of a punt return or pass from the great Drew Brees.  It surprised me how fast his fan base seemed to turn on him.  I know that he wasn’t putting up adequate rushing numbers to warrant such a high draft pick, but he was also not in a situation where it was possible for him to rush for over 100 yards a game.  The Saints offense is built around Brees, and everyone else is interchangeable.  They spread out receivers, and use their running backs as receivers coming out of the backfield almost as much as they use them to rush the ball.  This is why Darren Sproles couldn’t have found a better fit of a team.

Bush did struggle running between the tackles during his time there, but he has adapted to the north-south running style that NFL rushers must have and his numbers have improved because of it.  His 1,086 rushing yards off of only 216 carries last year in Miami really impressed me, but the stat that really stuck out was that he averaged 5.6 yards-per-carry between the tackles.  The change of scenery provided him with a fresh start and the opportunity to redefine his career.  A stacked offensive line and Tony Sparano’s offense had a lot to do with this renaissance as well.

Sparano is gone, but Bush has made it known that he is no slouch and is fully capable of being a feature back in a run-heavy offense.  How the offense changes this year is yet to be seen, seeing as Joe Philbin, the former Green Bay offensive coordinator is calling the plays now.  Although the Packers were a pass-heavy team under Philbin, they had Aaron Rodgers throwing the ball and Ryan Tannehill is not a worthy substitute – at least not at this point in time.

So even though Bush’s goals may be a bit lofty, I expect him to surprise a lot of people this year.  In an offense that lost its biggest receiving threat (Brandon Marshall), and has a rookie quarterback to groom, Reggie is the most reliable tool they have.  If he doesn’t compete for the rushing title – which wouldn’t shock me, honestly – he can still burn you in the passing and return games.  Without a doubt, he’ll be one of the guys I rely on in my fantasy league and I’ll be very confident doing so.  Bush is being productive, outspoken, and self-confident.  Maybe he still can be the superstar we all thought he would be when he came into the league.

Follow Jim on Twitter: @JimBearor

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NBA

Life Without Bosh

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by Nick Wershing

For almost a year and a half now, Chris Bosh has heard how he doesn’t belong in the big 3 alongside LeBron and D-Wade. Well, what are people saying now? With Bosh out for the rest of the Heat’s series versus the Pacers, if not the rest of the playoffs, we will now see if it is indeed the big 3. Before last night’s game 2, TNT showed a stat that said the Heat were 4-5 without Bosh this year. The announcers went on to say this was a misleading stat though. Now I’m not so sure.

The Heat only managed 75 points last night, while the team averaged 98.5 ppg during the regular season. Bosh has arguably one of the nicest mid-range jumpers in the league. His 18-footer has bailed the Heat out of many bad possessions. He may not be the physical specimen that Bron-Bron is, and he may not have the slashing ability of Wade, but he plays great defense, he is a consistent shooter, and he grabs rebounds. The defense and rebounds are the biggest loss in these playoffs. Roy Hibbert was dominating the boards starting last night, and without Bosh, they are left with a sub-par group of players to guard the all-star big, made up of Udonis Haslem, Joel Anthony, and Ronny Turiaf. None are on par with Bosh defensively; not to mention anywhere close to him offensively.

Bosh is no doubt the “smallest” of the “Big 3”, but I think he is the most important. I have already explained what the Heat lose when Bosh goes down, and it was evident last night. But if LeBron or D-Wade gets injured, it’s a different story. Unlike when Bosh was out, when one of the other two was out, the Heat still have a winning record. Why is this?

James and Wade play a very similar position. They guard relatively the same type of player on defense. They have similar play styles on offense. When one goes down, the other can step into his spot. If the Heat are playing the Hawks, and Lebron had the job of guarding Joe Johnson, and went down, Wade could step in and do the same thing. If one goes down, the other then becomes the surefire centerpiece of the offense, and it erases the question of which should have plays called for him when. Bosh is a different story. Sticking with the Atlanta Hawks as the opponent, Bosh would most likely be guarding Al Horford or Josh Smith, and he should do a very good job of it. But when he goes down, you have to choose how exactly you want to downgrade your post offense. Do you give up more on defense and play Haslem for his shooting? Do you totally give up offense and bring in Anthony for his defense and above-average work ethic? It’s a hard decision, and we will now see how Spoelstra handles it in a series where they play a very good post player in Hibbert.

But the Pacers could be the least of the Heat’s worries. Looking to the future, the Heat face a potential matchup with a very hot Kevin Garnett. After that, they could meet up with Tim Duncan or the two-headed monster of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. A postseason that started as the Heat’s to lose, now sees them as possible underdogs in many of its series – all due to the loss of the third member of the “Big 3”.

Follow Nick Wershing on Twitter: @n_shing

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