Heat must embrace the dark side

As the Heat and Bulls wound up game 3 last night, James Posey went on a frenzy. He pushed Tyson Chandler a little harder than normal while tracking down a rebound, but also laid into Kirk Hinrich in the very next play.

According to Stu Jackson, who is the NBA's disciplinarian, he was 'sizing up' Hinrich when he shouldered the point guard down to the floor.

Posey got ejected immediately and left the game.

The Heat then proceeded to implode with a technical from Haslem. More fouls ensued.

And I liked every second of it. Why?

Sure, it pretty much cost the Heat the game at that point. It also cost the Heat one of their best three point threats and perimeter defenders for who knows how long, probably the series. But what it did do is push this team closer to embracing its ultimate identity.

If this team is going to be a champion, it must get a little nastier, a lot meaner. It can't be the jolly giant that seems to be Shaq these days. It needs to be a fierce competitor, more along the lines of a Wookie - who you will let win or it will tear your arms from your sockets.

The Heat not only need to dominate opponents, but intimidate and instill fear. Zo does that at the center position by redirecting shots taken in the paint with his timely blocks. Haslem looks the part, with the corn rows dangling from behind his head - like something from Mad Max. Wade shaved his head completely bald to, admittedly, not be so 'pretty'.

Good guys wear white, bad guys wear black. Don the black. Embrace it. Give in to the Dark Side and become more powerful than you could ever imagine. Pat Riley needs to let his team feel this identity grow and take hold of it. They need to come out with swords drawn, eyes glaring, flaming nostrils.

This is the playoffs. Win or go home. Someone stole your car, your house, has held your family hostage. Take no prisoners. It is about doing whatever it takes to succeed - climbing over the carcasses of those who came before you at the mouth of the Hydra.

Riley likes to point to the story of Cortez and his ambition in Mexico, where he had his boats burned so that his men knew there was no way out. The mission was their life. Or like Patton said, the object of war is not dying for your country, but making the other poor bastard die for his.

Fall down 7 times, get up 8? Not unless you are going to knock down someone else each time you get up.

That is what this team needs to learn. That is the identity this team needs to grab hold of and embrace. In order to win, the Heat have to get a little crazy, feel a little bloodlust. They need to smell the blood in the water and go for the kill.

Time to embrace the dark side.