It’s true that money can’t buy you happiness. It’s also true that money can’t buy you an NBA championship, as shown by the Miami Heat.
After Game 1’s disappointing loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday, it’s clear that the Miami Heat’s “Big Three” should be broken up.
The Big Three, consisting of Lebron James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade, collectively earned almost $46 million during the 2011-2012 season.
With salaries like that, the Heat should be invincible.
Tuesday night’s loss showed the country that the Heat need to get rid of the “Big Three.”
After outscoring the Thunder 54-47 in the first half, the Heat looked like they were going to steal a victory.
Like many games before, the Heat crumbled under pressure.
Dwayne Wade, who shot 7-19 from the field, proved that he is unreliable in clutch moments.
It seems as though there is awkwardness between James and Wade, as evidenced by their previous series against the Boston Celtics.
When deciding who should take the last shot, it is apparent to those watching that James and Wade are playing a game of hot potato.
This fact contributes to many of their late losses. With salaries of $16 million and $15.5 million respectively, Wade and James should avoid the awkward situation altogether.
Wade’s pitiful first half performances and James’ failures in the clutch show that the two cannot coexist on the same team.
The Heat would be better off if the Big Three, rather the Big Two, were broken up.
The Thunder, Celtics and Pacers, all opponents of the Heat this year, show that it is the underpaid players that can make just as big of an impact.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, of the Thunder, make $20 million combined. Thabo Sefalosha, Derek Fisher and James Harden, the Thunder’s supporting cast, only make $11.3 combined.
Their impact is just as great as one of the Heat’s Big Three.
If they were to dissolve the Big Three, the Heat would be a better team.
With the money they spend on James or Wade, the Heat could find other Sefaloshas, Fishers and Hardens that would play with more heart and fervor.
If the Heat want to succeed, someone has to go.
Shane Newell is a sophomore journalism student and the assistant city editor for the Daily 49er.