(USA TODAY Sports)
Today’s Big Winner: Heat-Pacers Winner
Yes, but what if the Heat lose?
That is the most interesting question today. Because if Miami wins at home tonight to take its third consecutive Eastern Conference title, this back-and-forth seven-game series with the Pacers — the Pacers’ presumptive breakthrough, the so-called decline of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh — is a mere footnote en route to an epic, generation-defining Heat-Spurs NBA Finals.
But if they lose?
*LeBron James’ spectacular season is a failure, full stop.
*“The Big Three” era — already exposed — implodes.
*“Not one, not two, not three …” becomes “Just one?”
The failure of the Heat in the “Big Three” era has always been far more compelling than its success. Even if last year’s championship changed most fans’ feelings about James into something resembling appreciation, there is still something utterly fascinating about him and the Heat failing. We can marvel at James and still root for the Heat’s defeat.
Even larded with the struggling Wade and Bosh, James is brilliant enough to carry the Heat for a single game at home with the East title on the line. But what if he isn’t? That is the context heading into the most consequential NBA game in years.
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More of today’s big winners:
*Chicago Blackhawks: Just like that, up 2-0 on defending champs.
*Matt Kuchar: Wins Memorial — does that make him the U.S. Open favorite?
*David Stern: Re-affirms NBA’s stance on inclusiveness.
*Clint Dempsey: Leads USMNT to stunner over Germany.
*Houston Astros: Five straight Ws!
*Yasiel Puig: Stop and check your fantasy baseball wire for him.
*Tony Stewart: Wins FedEx 400 in Dover.
*Lionel Hollins: Grizzlies don’t want him? Plenty of others will.
*DeSean Jackson: Next player to join Jay-Z’s sports agency?
*Big Ten: Expands NYC foothold with deal with Pinstripe Bowl.
*Garrett Jones: Wow. Latest symbol of Pirates’ winning ways.
Grant Hill: Happy retirement to one of the most interesting and talented basketball players of the past 20 years.
Check out the Morning Win every weekday morning.
Follow Dan Shanoff on Twitter at @danshanoff.
