Miami has upgraded... so?

Three of the biggest names in the NBA under one roof. The Three Kings, to borrow the title for John Pages, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh, the Three Amigos, now known as DeBrosh, has made Miami instant favorites and they feel they can bring the title back to Miami, which they last had in 2006. Heat fans, I hate to burst your bubble but I beg to disagree, bahala’g masuko mo nako.

To reach the NBA Finals, they have to get over the other Florida team, the Orlando Magic. Coach Stan Van Gundy is one of the underrated coaches in the league and he has done wonders with the Magic. Going into the final stages of the playoffs for the past four years speaks much for Stan the Man.   And don’t leave out the Baby Bulls of Chicago who has an improved roster.

Then they will have to deal with Boston. Sure, the other big three is old, really old, but they have tons of experience between them. Add Jermaine O’Neal to the existing brew and you have a blend more potent that Johnny Walker Blue. More importantly, the Celtics have Rajon Rondo and Doc Rivers.

This Miami scenario is way different from Boston’s of three years ago. Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined resident superstar Paul Pierce with maturity and experience on their resume. They were done with individual glory and accolades and are willing to sacrifice personal satisfaction to achieve the athlete’s ultimate prize - the championship trophy. And they did it. Can we say the same with DeBrosh?

It is without question that Miami’s Big Three are three of the league’s most unselfish players, willing to give up the ball for an open teammate. But the case here is that they were used to being the number one offensive options on their previous teams before this union. There will be changes in their scoring and playing time. Plays will be redesigned and considering their egos, this could be a problem.

The new Big Three has gobbled up the Heat’s money that there’s almost nothing to spend to fortify the reserves. The support crew is wanting. The NBA has a long season and injuries are always a possibility. Who’s gonna take over if one or two of the amigos have bad luck? Udonis Haslem?

They need an experienced point guard to run the offense, to control the game, be the steadying factor. Derek Fisher (thank you for staying in LA) would have been the right fit had he decided to switch uniforms. If they can afford JJ Reddick from across town, that would be good, although experience-wise, JJ is wanting. Hellooo... There’s Jayson Williams and they can get him cheap. He has a championship ring to show during his previous tour of duty with Miami and without a doubt, J-Will can man the point.

Can they jell? This is also iffy. Yep, they are close friends, played together for a short while and won the gold for Team USA but this won’t guarantee a good mix. Remember, the Three Amigos have bloated individual egos. Would anyone of them be happily content being upstaged and out-performed by the other? If you’re LeBron, sugot ka nga Bosh or Wade will steal the limelight that you’re so ridiculously used to? Ambot lang.

If Pat Riley takes over as coach, then Miami just might reach the conference finals. All things considered, Erik Spoelstra does not have the experience to guide Miami deep into the playoffs.

Considering they get over Orlando and Boston, then they have to.... BEAT LA! And for the moment, they are the reigning Kings of the NBA. Nuff said.

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Still on LeBron. Four years ago, a woman from Akron, Ohio bought a diamond-studded pendant shaped like LBJ’s number 23 jersey at a garage sale for $5, thinking it was a fashion jewelry. Noting that the stones were set like the real ones, she brought it to a jewellery store for appraisal.

She was told that it was real and was advised to have it certified by the International Gemological Institute. Paying $200 for the certification, the pendant was valued at $10,000. If you have the moolah, the pendant is now auctioned at E-Bay.

This much better than that guy who defied sanity when he burned a $10,000 framed-and-signed LeBron jersey upon learning of the Miami switch. He could have sold it for a lower price and at least got some of his money back.

By the way, I have in my possesion an Upper Deck LeBron James triple-patch jersey in mint condition. Any takers?

E-mail me at [email protected] or [email protected]. –THE FREEMAN