What Makes The Miami Heat Really Great?

By Ron Leyba

Well, of course the presence of LeBron James solely can instantly transform any team around the league. For the Miami Heat, who has two more All-Stars, in Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, it's not so surprising to be characterized as great. But what really makes the team so good? Why are they dominant against almost any team they play? And how have they managed to retain the success ever since the Big Three were formed?

First of all, let's see the facts. In the three seasons that followed the formation of the Big Three, the Miami Heat has made it to the NBA Finals every single year. You could have won lot's of money betting on them. They also won the NBA Championship the last couple of times. Now, they will enter the 2013-2014 as the favorites to win it all for yet another time. So this can't be a coincidence right? Nor is it just thanks to LeBron, because the King spent his first seven seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers and achieved what Miami did.

The success or to put it better the foundations of the success can be tracked back in Day 1 of the formation of the Big Three. To persuade –if much of an effort was needed - three of the biggest superstars in the NBA to accept a pay cut in order to chase a championship or multiple championships is a great achievement. The president of the team, Pat Riley, deserves a huge portion of this success. That was the time the Heat placed the stone of foundation of their later achievements.

Not just because they managed to bring three superstars in one team, but also because Miami was able to surround them with the necessary role players. The Big Three showed the road to success. Through unselfishness, sacrifice and hard work, the talents of each single player could mesh together to form an unbeatable ensemble. Other players, like Udonis Haslem followed that same path. It became clear that the Miami Heat team was not a fit for every player in the NBA, no matter how good he is.

With no doubt, Year 1 was a big disappointment. The super team, which was even criticized for cheating, failed to win the championship, losing by the underdogs Dallas Mavericks. So what did LeBron and the rest of the crew do? The answer is where all the later success is hidden. They got better. LeBron spent the summer practicing his post moves with Hakeem Olajuwon, Wade tweaked his game, cutting down his threes. Even role players, like Mario Chalmers returned better than the previous season.

Now, the Heat has formed a dynasty. With continuous effort to get better and not rest on the recent successful course, the Heat has managed to remain great all those years. The acquisition of Ray Allen is a vivid example of the team's greatness. The signing and the re-signing of the "Birdman", Chris Andersen is another. Even the selection of Norris Cole through the draft show that the team and all the people who surround it is devoted to win.

So, if we try to search why the Miami Heat is a great team, the answer is simple: devotion, hard work and the use of each member's best abilities. Not just from the players, but from the entire organization.

About The Author:
Ron Leyba is the lead editor of www.FantasyBasketballMoneyLeagues.com – a premiere source of NBA updates, rumors and fantasy basketball. For more of his basketball insights, follow @nbafantasyinfo on Twitter or add Fantasy Basketball Money Leagues on Google+.