Normalized Monsquads

The era of the Superteams is still in full effect. Oh the joy. 

It has been over a decade since LeBron James took his talents to South Beach to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. This is not the first ever Big Three, but the first time a free agency was used to forcibly assemble a Superteam. We all remember 'The Decision' and we all remember the information we received after the Superteam was formed regarding text messages and conversations between James, Wade and Bosh masterminding the whole plan.

The Boston Celtics are the ones who assembled the original Big Three (yes, arguably). This Big Three was formed in a different way, a more natural way maybe? It didn't feel schemed on and it wasn't nationally televised. Boston traded away the fifth and 35th pick in the NBA Draft, and a couple of players for Ray Allen. Around a month later, the Celtics continued their momentum. In a trade that would cost the Celtics five players, two draft picks and some cash ... Kevin Garnett would be shamrockin'. Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett would win a title their first season as a dominant trio. Yes, then "Anything is possible!!!" was born. 

Three years later LeBron makes the decision to head to Miami ... and the sports world was lit up in flames. Literally. Cleveland fans were burning jerseys and who knows what else. It's Cleveland, you never know. 

Not one, not two, but three years later the Boston Celtics lost to the Miami Heat in the playoffs. Drama fills the streets of Boston and Ray Allen then takes his talents to South Beach. 
Wait, doesn't that make him a cupcake? If we are going by the definition of how Kevin Durant was labeled one, then Ray Allen was the original cupcake. 

But were either of them cupcakes?

Is it the principle of Superteams? Is it the manner in which they are formed? Are people just mad that their team has yet to assemble one (hey, anything is possible)? Why are opponents best friends now? Are side conversations during games and on the sidelines really necessary? Is what James Harden did a totally different element?

We live in the era of social media, so these monsquads are forming with all the hype and coverage that the world has to offer. The love, hate, criticism and excitement are all on steroids with social media feeds at anyone's fingertips (unless you're permanently banned, *insert smirk*). When Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman joined forces Twitter wasn't even born yet. FACEBOOK wasn't even alive. 
Facebook. By the time Kevin Durant superteamed up with the Golden State Warriors in 2016, the big three social media entourage was in full effect. Hence, cupcake.

Now it seems as though monsquads are forming each season, sometimes more than once. When LeBron left Cleveland for the second time he went to LA in order to carry on the Laker Legacy (he has, in fact, been successful). Anthony Davis heads out west and even though this is not technically a Big Three, these two powerhouses make up a monsquad. They also hold the power to potentially bring on any other super star to complete the trifecta.

Earlier this week James Harden's temper tantrums paid off and he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. He will be joining former teammate Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving (given that Kyrie plays at some point). It would be a whole other blog post to thoroughly break this trade down, but how can we blame Harden? He was only following the blueprint, the path paved for him. This is the norm now. Monsquads have been normalized. The reason I mention this being a tad bit different is because James Harden whined, cried and threw his team under the bus to get his way. 

According to Shaq, "that ain't true" that James Harden gave Houston his all. Over a span of time Harden requested to work with Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook. Zero cohesiveness was built and each fizzled out. When it came crunch time Harden is 1-4 in the last five games facing elimination, shooting just 41% (24% from the arc), 32 assists, and 27 turnovers. 

But, do we stay upset with Harden in following what all the cool kids are doing no matter how long his tantrum lasted?

I think this is what Kobe (may he continue to rest in peace) was referring to when he said, "I like my rings the hard way. I like to fight through them. I don't like to jump into the easy route." Kobe was never friends with his opponents, especially on the court. He just simply had respect, but he also had that killer instinct. 

Let me clarify and state that I do not shun LeBron James, Kevin Durant, James Harden and many others for joining talents with some of the best in the game. Monsquads are so normal, I don't even know if there is an unfair advantage for anyone in the league right now. LeBron James on any team deems them as unfair. Players have found a different kind of way to team up and dominate. Can we blame them? Maybe yes, maybe no. Maybe you feel like the NBA is a hot mess. Maybe LeBron is the one to blame for monsquads, or maybe it's social media to blame for all the extra hype. Either way, Houston no longer has a problem.

I don't know who needs to hear this, but monsquads will not be going away soon. It's like Fantasy basketball has come to life.

2021 may be a new year, but we still must continue to fight. Fight for justice and equality for all. No one is free until all are FREE. What we witnessed last week on Capitol Hill was white privilege, racism, and terrorism. We must use our voice to fight and be that voice for the voiceless. Do not back down. I pray that next week is a step towards unity and change that this country so desperately needs. 
Black Lives Matter.