2010-11 roster:
Starters: Chalmers/Wade/Bron/Bosh/Joel
Bench: Haslem, Miller, JJ, Bibby, Dampier, House, Juwan, Big Z, Magloire, and Pittman
(Arroyo and Stackhouse for a while too)
2012-13 roster:
Starters: Chalmers/Wade/Battier/Bron/Bosh
Bench: Ray Allen, Norris Cole, Haslem, Birdman, Miller, JJ, Joel, Rashard, Varnado, Juwan
I'm just looking at that first year in the "LeBron/big 3 era" and how
our bench was outside of Haslem and Miller. (and even then, both of them had been injured throughout the year) Anyways, Bibby couldn't hit the side of a barn, JJ didn't get the minutes he should've, and the rest of them niccas might has well have been 
Not excusing Wade and LeBron's lackluster play in the Finals, but they really weren't getting much help. Say what you want about them "not needing help" because they had three all-stars, but you should be able to count on your role players to knock down an open shot, or give you quality minutes in spurts while the starters rest. They weren't even getting AVERAGE minutes from most of those guys.
Now, two years and a title later, they have the flexibility to put the King at the 4, which is a testament to his greatness and willingness to expand his game and maximize his talents/body. That gives you the option of the starting lineup listed above, or starting Bosh/Haslem against a bigger team. Also, we now have adept role players that know what their role is, and play to that.
Battier: defense, hustle, and stretching the floor with his shooting. Unbelievable what he gives this team, in comparison to what he gets paid.
Allen: the three point Gawd, even though his defense has been........well nevermind
Birdman: This looks to be a HUUUUUUGE signing, maybe one of the best of the the year. He protects the rim, gives you instant energy which players feed off of, and he (unlike Joel) can catch the ball and finish on offense. We haven't had that dimension to the offense until now.
Cole: energy, helps us push tempo, defense has RAPIDLY improved to where i consider him a very good on-ball defender now. His decision-making has reached the point where i think it rivals Chalmers sometimes. He will hit the occasional three or make a great drive to the hole, but you can't count on that. Thats just icing on the cake.
Not that this is news to most of yall, i'm just observing and admiring how this team has improved. Day and night compared to 2010-11. Of course, it does go both ways, their talents are enhanced because they have been pieced around arguably the most selfless superstar we've ever seen. As long as they stay healthy, i really don't see anybody beating them as they are currently assembled.
I love this team brehs.
Starters: Chalmers/Wade/Bron/Bosh/Joel
Bench: Haslem, Miller, JJ, Bibby, Dampier, House, Juwan, Big Z, Magloire, and Pittman
(Arroyo and Stackhouse for a while too)
2012-13 roster:
Starters: Chalmers/Wade/Battier/Bron/Bosh
Bench: Ray Allen, Norris Cole, Haslem, Birdman, Miller, JJ, Joel, Rashard, Varnado, Juwan
I'm just looking at that first year in the "LeBron/big 3 era" and how
our bench was outside of Haslem and Miller. (and even then, both of them had been injured throughout the year) Anyways, Bibby couldn't hit the side of a barn, JJ didn't get the minutes he should've, and the rest of them niccas might has well have been Not excusing Wade and LeBron's lackluster play in the Finals, but they really weren't getting much help. Say what you want about them "not needing help" because they had three all-stars, but you should be able to count on your role players to knock down an open shot, or give you quality minutes in spurts while the starters rest. They weren't even getting AVERAGE minutes from most of those guys.
Now, two years and a title later, they have the flexibility to put the King at the 4, which is a testament to his greatness and willingness to expand his game and maximize his talents/body. That gives you the option of the starting lineup listed above, or starting Bosh/Haslem against a bigger team. Also, we now have adept role players that know what their role is, and play to that.
Battier: defense, hustle, and stretching the floor with his shooting. Unbelievable what he gives this team, in comparison to what he gets paid.
Allen: the three point Gawd, even though his defense has been........well nevermind
Birdman: This looks to be a HUUUUUUGE signing, maybe one of the best of the the year. He protects the rim, gives you instant energy which players feed off of, and he (unlike Joel) can catch the ball and finish on offense. We haven't had that dimension to the offense until now.
Cole: energy, helps us push tempo, defense has RAPIDLY improved to where i consider him a very good on-ball defender now. His decision-making has reached the point where i think it rivals Chalmers sometimes. He will hit the occasional three or make a great drive to the hole, but you can't count on that. Thats just icing on the cake.
Not that this is news to most of yall, i'm just observing and admiring how this team has improved. Day and night compared to 2010-11. Of course, it does go both ways, their talents are enhanced because they have been pieced around arguably the most selfless superstar we've ever seen. As long as they stay healthy, i really don't see anybody beating them as they are currently assembled.
I love this team brehs.
and we cut Arroyo for Mike freakin Bibby 
. Bibby had the worst playoffs by a player ever 
