Veteran NBA writer Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle observes that the Miami Heat's championship blueprint is the same one that the Houston Rockets are trying: surrounding a center who commands double teams with a dominant perimeter player and a good cast of role players; the Rockets' problem is that they have not been able to keep their two stars healthy or acquire the right mix of role players. Actually, that is more than one problem, which explains why Houston did not even qualify for the playoffs this year. Feigen also has an interesting take on Shaquille O'Neal deferring to Dwyane Wade during the Miami Heat's championship run:
"Before too much credit goes to Shaquille O'Neal for so willingly accepting his secondary role to Dwyane Wade to help the Heat become champions, he did not seem to have much a choice. He was so diminished that Wade soared above him, rather than he knew he should step back.
But it is interesting to see O'Neal portray himself as a version of former rival David Robinson — the wise veteran making way for a younger star. The difference is that Robinson did not feel the need to constantly credit himself for making Tim Duncan great."
You can find the complete article here:
Heat Master Plan has Familiar Ring
Modesty is Shaq's Best Trait--Just Ask Him and He'll Tell You
