Are the Heat Officially Lebron James' Team?

[FedEx227]

Some of us actually have to work and can't write blogs all day, but I know the Heat are 12-1 without Wade.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/miamiheat/post/_/id/11551/how-lebron-and-miami-plays-without-wade

In the past two seasons, LeBron has scored 25.2 points per 40 minutes with Wade on the floor, but LeBron has scored 35.0 points per 40 minutes with Wade on the bench.

To go one step further, LeBron also watches his player efficiency rating (PER) skyrocket when Wade rides the pine. With Wade, LeBron's PER stands at 25.3. Without him on the court, it is a mind-boggling 34.9. Remember, the typical NBA player posts a 15.0 PER, and the best that Michael Jordan ever put together was a 31.7 figure. In fact, if we just look at LeBron's PER this season without Wade, it checks out at 38.3, which nearly breaks the PER machine.

When we look at LeBron's numbers without Wade, we see that his field goal attempts rise from 17.0 per 40 minutes to 25.5 per 40 minutes. Additionally, his free throw attempts average rises from 8.2 to 10.8 every 40 minutes. Evidently, when Wade steps off the floor, LeBron doesn't just go into Cleveland mode; it's more like "Cleveland, Game 5 against Detroit in the 2006-07 playoffs" mode.

I can run the numbers myself later in the day, but I know it's pretty dramatic how much better he plays without Wade, especially this year.

 

[FirstTimer]

Some of us actually have to work and can't write blogs all day, but I know the Heat are 12-1 without Wade.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/miamiheat/post/_/id/11551/how-lebron-and-miami-plays-without-wade

I guess. But aren't all those conclusions rather obvious? Lebron scores more with no Wade. Well, yeah, he'd kind of have to. Wade is a volume scorer and with him out someone needs to pick up the slack. IMO I think Lebron needs to be more ball dominant when Wade is in the game rather than splitting Lebron and Wade up.





I can run the numbers myself later in the day, but I know it's pretty dramatic how much better he plays without Wade, especially this year.

 

[FedEx227]

It's not just about high volume of scoring, it's high volume of everything and total team success. Those PER numbers are insane, those are factoring in far more than just scoring. LeBron simply has more room to operate which allows him to score, pass and have the Heat running a high octane offense. I forgot the exact number but they average almost 10-15 more PPG when Wade is gone.

As far as LeBron dominating the ball more when Wade is on the floor, that's easier said than done though. I agree and I'm sure everyone knows that but do you think Wade is cool playing off the ball every single possession? We're talking about the NBA's biggest bitch. I'm sure he'd handle it like a total assbag.

 

[FirstTimer]

It's not just about high volume of scoring, it's high volume of everything and total team success. Those PER numbers are insane, those are factoring in far more than just scoring. LeBron simply has more room to operate which allows him to score, pass and have the Heat running a high octane offense. I forgot the exact number but they average almost 10-15 more PPG when Wade is gone.

As far as LeBron dominating the ball more when Wade is on the floor, that's easier said than done though. I agree and I'm sure everyone knows that but do you think Wade is cool playing off the ball every single possession? We're talking about the NBA's biggest bitch. I'm sure he'd handle it like a total assbag.

Obviously PER factors more than just scoring but liek I say at the end I think James just needs to control the ball more regardless of who is on the floor at all times but Wade being a complete bag of dick is a valid point.

 

[FedEx227]

I think LeBron knows that, but we also know how sensitive he is to worrying what others think of him. He knows where he stands in Miami versus Wade and it's one of the big issues with teaming up with someone like Wade. It's going to be hard for people to embrace that LeBron should be the focal point and not Wade.

 

[FedEx227]