For the Miami Heat and LeBron James, it’s all over. It’s also just beginning.
By falling to the Chicago Bulls, the Heat 27-game winning streak, the second-longest in NBA history, came to a bitter end. Miami was just six wins shy of tying the Los Angeles Lakers’ record for 33-consecutive wins in 1971-72, and seven short of the absolute record.
Following the loss, the Heat weren’t exactly in the most jovial of spirits, but LeBron was able to put it in perspective (via Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida):
LeBron James said he was “humbled’’ to be part of the second-longest winning streak in NBA history.
“Just very fortunate and very humbled and blessed to be a part of this team and be a part of a streak like that,’’ James said after the streak ended at 27 games at Chicago. “It’s one of the best that this league has ever seen, so we recognize that and rightfully so.’’
On the cusp of making even more history, the Heat have got to be disappointed. James, however, hit it right on the nose. The streak was “humbling,” and losing to the Bulls doesn’t diminish its significance.
That it ended in Chicago, at the hands of a team without Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah is telling. It’s actually an indicator of how impressive the streak was.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB5kJt0UZnU
In today’s NBA, there are so many cases of “Any Given Sunday.” Any given team, in any given game, on any given night can beat anyone else. Even the Heat. The Bulls proved that.
Knowing that Miami was able to keep the party going for 27 games then, makes the feat all the more impressive. It’s perfectly acceptable to be disappointed and suffer from a bad case of the “what ifs,” but there’s so much to appreciate about this streak and admire as it is. The loss can’t change that.
And let’s not forget, that in so many ways, this is only the beginning for the Heat.
James and crew can now solely focus on winning a title. It no longer has to be about the streak, about living up to an unrealistic standard. They’re no longer under the pressure to win for the rest of the regular season.
Instead, they’ll put both eyes on the postseason, and the opportunity to win a second-straight title. That’s what the season, what playing in general is all about anyway.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
