LeBron James’ decision to join forces with Dwayne Wade in 2010 was a pivotal moment in NBA history as they formed the “Big Three” alongside Chris Bosh in the Miami Heat. It is often speculated if the move might have been prompted by hen-league superstar Kobe Bryant.
However, it’s vital to realize that their decision was purely motivated by a couple of obvious factors. The factors include their desire to play alongside each other and pursue NBA championships, and to explore novel opportunities within the Miami Heat Organization.
Kobe’s championships to create Heat superteam
It is often speculated that the Heat super team was necessitated by the huge achievements of Kobe Bryant. Bryant as a Los Angeles Lakers legend, emblazoned his legacy in NBA history through his remarkable career.
Some of his phenomenal achievements include being a key figure in bringing five NBA titles to the Los Angeles Lakers during his career. He was also selected for the NBA All-Star Game 18 times, showcasing his consistent excellence.
Kobe Bryant was also very instrumental to Team USA’s gold medal victories in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and in 2006, where he famously scored 81 points in a single game, which is the second-highest point total in a game in NBA history.
Considering the numerous championships won by Kobe Bryant, a super team was formed in the Miami Heat in 2010. The decision by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh to form the Heat Super team was largely perceived as a direct response to Kobe’s championship achievements.
When did the Heat Big 3 come together?
After Dwyane credited Kobe Bryant for winning his fifth ring, he decided to recruit LeBron James to join him in South Beach in 2010. In an appearance on Tony Parker’s Skweek Show, Wade revealed that after Kobe led the Lakers to back-to-back championships in 2010, he picked up his phone and contacted LeBron for a possible team-up.
“I remember cutting my TV off as soon as Kobe ran and grabbed that ball I was like, ‘LeBron, so what you gonna do”, Wade said. “That was our summer free agency. They (the Lakers) were dominating. Kobe was winning all these rings. I was like, ‘Hold on, now he got five and we got 1? No. that changed the league.”
After the team up of the Heat Big 3, LeBron and his mates led the Heat to four straight NBA finals appearances. LeBron James as an individual was dominant in the 2012 and 2013 NBA finals, taking Miami to consecutive championships.
In as much as it’s not evident that Kobe’s success incited the creation of the Heat Big 3, the high standard the former left in the league could possibly have been a big motivation to them.
Do you believe it was Kobe Bryant’s success that eventually prompted the Miami Heat to assemble a super team? Share your view in the comment section with us?
