NBA preview: Miami Heat begin much-anticipated regular season against Boston Celtics
Something happened over the summer that experts predict could change the NBA for years to come.
When LeBron James joined forces with his All-Star buddies Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, pundits predicted that an older era (think Michael Jordan) of NBA superstars wanting to play
against each other could be replaced by them opting to play alongside each other, with rumours of Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony trying to team up in New York being just the latest example.
This new NBA formula will be put to the test tonight when the Miami Heat open up their much-anticipated regular season Tuesday 26 October with a road game against the defending Eastern
Conference champion Boston Celtics at 7:30 p.m. at the TD Garden in downtown Boston.
The off-season acquisitions of the Miami Heat have drawn the attention of sports fans and non-sports fans alike simply because of the star power of James and the complete lack of professionalism
in his decision to announce his departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers via a one-hour prime-time TV program on ESPN. Expect many of these people to tune in to watch one of the most hyped games in the recent history of the NBA. And the Celtics know they won't
be the main attraction.
“All eyes will be on the game in Boston, but I think all eyes will really be on Miami,” said Boston coach Doc Rivers. “We're the other team that's playing and we're just going to show
up. But I'm sure everybody is there to see Miami.”
Boston guard Ray Allen, who is part of Boston’s own Big Three, which also includes Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, agrees with his coach.
“There's never been an opening game that has been more heavily anticipated,'' Allen said. “I do believe that people are definitely excited to see them more than they're excited about seeing
us. Truly they know, as a team, what we represented. The two teams are Eastern Conference powerhouses. It's going to be a game.''
“Nobody has seen that type of talent on one team,'' added Paul Pierce of the new-look Heat.
Tonight’s matchup is chock full of storylines and subplots. Aside from it being James’ first game since he left the Cavaliers, it is also the first time fans get to see Miami’s Big Three
of James, Bosh and Wade play in a game that matters. It is also the first game for the Celtics since losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in a heartbreaking seven games in last year’s NBA Finals and the debut of new Celtic centre Shaquille O’Neal, who has played
with both Wade and James in the past. When you consider that the Celtics knocked off both Wade and his Heat and James and his Cavaliers in last year’s play-offs, this game should have an intensity normally reserved for the post-season.
“I think the NBA did an unbelievable job of picking a great first game,'' said Wade.
The Heat, who held their final pre-season practice yesterday morning, are ready to go.
“We're all ready for this because of how long the summer has seemed,'' said Miami coach Erik Spoelstra. “Seemed like it's taken forever to get to this point. But it's finally here. And
finally we can have most of the talk about the game and not all these other things which people are interested in right now, which is normal. But let's play.''
All eyes will be on James tonight, the NBA’s two-time reigning MVP who has attracted his fair share of criticism for his off-season decision. At this point, the guy just wants to play.
“I'll be ready tomorrow,'' James said after yesterday's practice. “I'll be ready. I'll be ready.”
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