The Real Batman

Batman vs. Robin. It has been an ongoing argument since LeBron James joined Dwyane Wade in Miami before the start of last season. LeBron and Wade produced similar numbers last season and both struggled in the clutch, providing no clear answer to the Batman argument.

LeBron: 26.7 points, 7.0 assists, 7.5 rebounds, 51% field goals

Wade: 25.5 points, 4.6 assists, 6.4 rebounds, 50% field goals

Through three games this season the numbers look a little different

LeBron: 32.7 points, 6.0 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 59% field goals

Wade: 20.0 points, 6.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 49% field goals

However, Wade hit the game winning shot last night with 2.9 seconds left to give the Heat a 1-point win against the Charlotte Bobcats. Is Wade considered the Batman because he came through in the clutch and hit the game-winning basket? Or is it LeBron because he scored 35 points (to Wade’s 10) and was the reason the game was close in the first place? The real question should be, why can’t it be both? When Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant were teamed up in Los Angeles, it was obvious that Shaq was the more dominant player but the team often turned to Bryant in the clutch (although Robert Horry also hit many clutch shots for the Lakers). Despite the team rarely turning to Shaq in the clutch, the Batman vs. Robin argument was rarely brought up because it was obvious that they both brought things that were essential to the team winning. Take either one off that team and they would not have been even championship contenders. Although the dynamic between Wade and LeBron is different than between Shaq and Kobe because LeBron and Wade have similar styles of play the two couples are still similar in many ways. LeBron is often the more dominant player throughout the game but the team may turn to Wade in the clutch (at least last night). Many people say that Wade should be considered the Batman because he is the closer, the man who will take and make the game-winning shots. However, this argument is flawed. Since LeBron joined the Heat last season he has 1 game winning shot, to Wade’s 2. The fact of the matter is that LeBron joined Wade in Miami so that he did not have to do everything himself. He sacrificed personal numbers for a team accomplishment. Yes, it takes a team to win a championship. This does not mean that he is the Robin to Wade’s Batman. It is no longer Batman vs. Robin, but Batman vs. Batman.

Getting A Little 'Cole' In Miami?

Norris Cole was the surprise of the night in the NBA scoring 20 points in just the rookies second game. Cole led the Heat in the fourth quarter to beat the Celtics after blowing a 20 point plus lead. He made 3 big time shots towards the end of the game and seemed to be the main threat when the Celtics went to a zone in the fourth quarter. During the first half the Heat were doing what they do best: running the fast break. Scoring 69 points in the first half alone, the game seemed to be heading towards an easy win for the heat. When the Celtics went to their zone, that's when things started going bad for the heat. Not many teams in the NBA have the defensive personnel to keep up with LeBron and Wade in man to man defense. In the fourth quarter Lebron seemed to turn into what Skip Bayless calls, "the frozen one." While Lebron did shoot well from the field (9-14) and had 26 points, he has yet to even attempt a 3-point shot this (while still young) season. Other teams may see this weakness in the Heat and start playing more zone against them. Even up to half the game as Tim Legler suggested today on Sportscenter. Another side story to the night that belonged to Norris Cole is what is going to happen with Mario Chalmers. I have been a fan of Mario Chalmers since he won the NCAA tournament. He has proven he can hit the big shot, but it is hard to be a starting point guard taking one shot in 19 minutes of play. Cole on the other hand shot 8-16 in 29 minutes. This may mean that Chalmers could find himself sitting on the bench a lot more this season then he thought.