The Miami Heat and LeBron James are looking to make history and complete the famous ‘three-peat’. The three-peat is an accomplishment held high in the NBA, ever since Jordan made it look so easy, both times.
The Heat are going into the 2013-2014 NBA season with a rare opportunity, they can win the first three peat since Kobe and Shaq did it in L.A., during the 2001-2002 season. Here is a look at some successful NBA three peats and a non successful attempt, to compare what some have in common and what the Heat need to accomplish in order to improve their chances of making history.
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
1999-2000, 2000-2001,2001-2002
Two words sum up these three championships: Kobe / Shaq. These two together are one of the best duos in NBA history. During this year, the Lakers finished 2nd in the Pacific Division with a record of 58-24. As a team, they averaged 101.3PPG and allowed 94.1PPG. During this year, the MVP was not on the Lakers.
To win this three peat, the Lakers swept the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals. The Laker’s biggest threat was against the Spurs and the leagues MVP Tim Duncan. They beat the San Antonio (4-1) during the Conference Semifinals. Together Kobe and Shaq averaged 52.4PPG; add in their third scorer Derek Fisher for 63.6 ppg.
CHICAGO BULLS
1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1997-1998
The Bulls can thank Michael Jordan for both of their three peats and all of their NBA Championship Banners. During the 1996-1997 and 1997-1998 NBA Championship, the Bulls beat the Utah Jazz (4-2) both times.
During this year, the Bulls finished with a record of 69-13, 1st place in the Central Division. The Bulls averaged 103.1PPG and allowed 92.3PPG. Coaches by Phil Jackson, the Bulls ‘Big 3’ were successful in completing the franchises second three peat. Michael Jordan was this years MVP. The Bulls three leading scores were Jordan, Pippen and Kukoc. Together, they averaged 63.0PPG.
CHICAGO BULLS
1990-1991, 1991-1992, 1992-1993
During his first three peat, Michael Jordan took down Magic Johnson, Clyde Drexler and then Charles Barkley as he changed the world of basketball forever. Jordan never allowed an opponent to win more than two games during the NBA Finals.
During this season, the Bulls finished 57-25, 1st place in the Central Division. They averaged 105.2PPG and allowed 98.9PPG. During this Championship, the Bulls had to defeat the league MVP Charles Barkley. The Bulls’ top three scorers were Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant. Together they averaged 64.4PGG.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
1986-1987, 1987-1988, 1988-1989(LOST)
Magic Johnson won five NBA Championships but never was able to complete the three-peat. During his three peat attempt, nor Magic or any Laker was not the league’s MVP. The Lakers were being coached by Pat Riley and finished 57-25; 1st place in the Pacific Division. Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Byron Scott were the teams leading scorers. They averaged 62.6PPG.
The Lakers averaged 114.7PPG and allowed 107.5PPG. This was a crazy run to the Finals. Magic and the Lakers won every single game, sweeping all over their opponents to get to the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, the Detroit Pistons and Isiah Thomas swept the Lakers.
The Pistons then went on to win a second NBA Championship during the 1989-1990 NBA season. The Piston could of even made an attempt at a three peat but lost in the 1990-1991 Eastern Conference Finals to a fellow named Michael Jordan; on the start of his first three peat.
LOOKING AT THE MIAMI HEAT
Last year, the Miami Heat finished 1st in the Southeast Division with a record of 66-16. They averaged 102.9PPG and allowed 95.0PPG. MVP, LeBron James, led the Heat to a back-to-back capture. Miami had to go to seven in the Conference Finals and NBA Finals. Erik Spoelstra, Heat’s head coach, is a protégé of Pat Riley and the whole team is lucky to have the experience of Riley in the front office. Having not yet completed a three peat, I’m sure all of his attention is focused on making that a reality.
Together, Wade and James averaged 47.9PPG. Their ‘Big Three’ Wade, James and Bosh averaged 64.5PPG. The numbers that the ‘Big 3’ are producing are similar to teams who have completed the three peat. The Heat have not made many offseason moves, expect for a signing of Greg Oden, which is a safe risk for the Heat to take.
For the Heat to win a third straight title, there a many things they will need to focus on:
1) Second Chance Points with Chris Bosh.
I hate it when ‘superstar’ players do not play at their highest level during the playoffs. Last year, Chris Bosh was seen not playing at his highest level and his statistics for PPG and RPG dropped. Last season, the Heat were in dead last in RPG, something the ‘three peat’ teams were not. Chris Bosh has the ability and talent to average double-digit rebounds, like he did in Toronto; and I’m sure the Heat planned on him continuing that mark. Bosh needs to get more physical and get more rebounds. Bosh shot .405% from three-point range, with 37 attempts in the playoffs. Bosh had more three-point attempts than Mike Miller and Norris Cole. Get this big boy to stay in the paint!
2) Survive the Eastern Conference / Look Out for New Dynasties
Out of the teams that completed back-to-back titles, the next year they ended up losing in their own conference (Detroit Piston 1990-1991, Houston Rockets 1995-1996, Los Angeles Lakers 2010-2011) Luckily for Miami, they have the best player in the NBA, who’s main goal is perfecting his legacy.
NBA franchises have been spending a lot of money and there are potential dynasties playing right now. The Eastern Conference has added threats to the Heat; Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls and the Indiana Pacers. If the Heat can make it past the Eastern Conference, their biggest test could be from the West, depending on whom they face. The Western Conference holds four threats to the Heat: the San Antonio Spurs, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets. Other NBA Dynasties have ended their championship runs due to new and upcoming dynasties being able to push their way past the other. Throughout all season and all of the playoffs, the Heat will need to stand their ground and completely dominate, not an inch of room for failure. If the Heat leave a door open, I guarantee one of these potential dynasties will walk through it.
3) Keeping the ‘Big 3’ and Bench Together
After the most recent NBA Finals, and after a scoreless Game 7 from Bosh, people were questioning ‘is it time to break up Miami’s Big 3?’. The answer is no. Yes Wade and Bosh have their off nights but keeping them together, keeps their dynasty run together. In there years, they have been to the Finals three times and won twice. Whatever Bosh is contributing, it is helping. I would not mess with a winning formula.
The Heat lost Mike Miller and that’s all they can afford to lose. Keeping Ray Allen and Chris ‘Birdman’ Andersen is a must, we saw how big of am impact they played throughout the season and post-season. Adding another bench shooter could go a long way for the Heat, to help fill Miller’s void.
Though the Heat are the favorites for the 2013-2014 NBA Championship, the road they face is not an easy one.
All statistics credited to NBA.com/encyclopedia and basketball-reference.com
