Morry Gash's sensational picture taken during Miami's 88-78 win over the Bucks on Monday has made its rounds across the Internet. The photo has received an unparalleled amount of praise and already seems to be in the running for 'Best Sports Photo of the Year,' and one of the great sports photos of all-time.
Not to belittle Gash's great work, but have we forgotten the subject? This is the Miami Heat we're talking about. They've won five in a row against teams with a combined .403 winning percentage and all of a sudden they're off the hook? Downgrading every Heat accomplishment this season, strictly for the fun of it, is a full time job, and one that can't be derailed because of a pretty picture.
I present a cold six pack of reasons why this photo "Isn't That Great:"
1) The Christ imagery. Did El Greco take this picture? LeBron did not die for my sins. James conveniently descends upon everyone with his arms out and his head tilted to the side, being touched by his father Dwyane Wade. I feel like a religious agenda is being pushed on me just by looking at this picture, and that, I cannot get down with.
2) While Wade looks like he's presenting a James dunk to the world, he's really just arguing with a referee. He's looking precisely where a referee would be standing in this situation, lobbying for a call. The NBA has made a point of issuing out more technicals this year to players who complain. That's exactly what Wade is doing, and like the NBA, we shouldn't praise him for it.
3) LeBron commented on the photo via Twitter, saying "By far one of the best sports pics I've seen taken." Be honest, doesn't that make you hate him and this photo even more? What if I held up my senior portrait and said, "By far one of the best senior pics I've seen taken?" First 'The Decision,' now this, you know what -- never mind. Commenting on LeBron James' ego is beating a dead horse in every sense of the saying.
4) It just so happens that Wade's finger is in LeBron's ear, a popular form of taunting, and an age old way of annoying the crap out of someone. They're playing Milwaukee, OK. Showing up was one big taunt.
5) It's a little unsettling that there's an American flag in the background. Three famous men who lied, manipulated, and walked all over the little people to team up in a position of power. What's so American about that?
6) I can't help but notice the Bucks players on the floor playing defense, and I use the term defense loosely. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (number 12), Brandon Jennings (standing around the free throw line, just managed to get his head into the photo), and John Salmons (I would recognize those calfs anywhere) are the three defenders in the vicinity of James. All three have combined for .96 blocks per game this season.
Meanwhile, one of the best shot blockers in the league, Andrew Bogut (number 6, 2.6 blocks per game), and Milwaukee's second best shot blocker, Larry Sanders (number 8, 1.4 blocks per game) are at the other end of the floor. Call me when LeBron dunks on someone who's capable of blocking his shot.
I do have one giant reason to love this photo and that is because it symbolizes the Heat's season up to this point. Wade is the focus of attention, face of the franchise if you will, despite not shouldering the scoring load. While James does the dirty work, he still looks like an extension of Wade's hand, or better yet, a Lil' Penny-esque puppet that Wade controls. And Chris Bosh, well, he's at the other end of the court watching, happy to be there.
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