Heat's Big 3 open tonight vs. Celts' Big 3
Before leaving for the airport yesterday and catching the flight to Boston, Dwyane Wade had a conversation with the friend he calls Larry.
Before leaving for the airport yesterday and catching the flight to Boston, Dwyane Wade had a conversation with the friend he calls Larry.
As in, the Larry O'Brien Trophy. The one they give out for winning an NBA championship.
"I asked him where he's been," Wade said. "He's eluded me. He's been missing for a while."
Larry will be waiting for someone in June, and tonight the Miami Heat will take what it hopes is its first step toward winning him when a season of title expectations finally opens in Boston. Miami squares off against the reigning Eastern Conference champion Celtics in a matchup loaded with story lines.
LeBron James' opener with Miami after seven seasons in Cleveland. Wade's first time with James and Chris Bosh as his Heat running mates. Shaquille O'Neal - once a teammate to both Wade and James - playing his first game in Celtics colors. Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett motivated by a Game 7 loss to the Lakers in last season's finals. Miami's new Big 3 vs. Boston's not-so-new Big 3.
Oh, and the small fact that Wade and James were both ousted from the playoffs by Boston last spring, defeats that helped along their decision to play with one another.
The Heat practiced one last time in Miami yesterday morning, followed by coach Erik Spoelstra gathering his team in the locker room for a quick meeting.
He didn't have to say much. Spoelstra brought Miami's 2006 championship trophy and reminded everyone of the season's lone goal.
Noteworthy
* Minnesota swingman Martell Webster underwent back surgery and will miss 4 to 6 weeks.
* Sacramento exercised a contract option on reigning Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans. *