Miami Heat – NBA Season Preview
The Heat are coming off losing to the Mavericks in 6 games in the finals last season, but they still won the Eastern Conference in the Big 3’s first season in South Beach.
Odds to win NBA title: +235
Odds to win Eastern Conference: +100
Odds to win Southwest Division: -1250
King James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh will once again, lead Miami and while the Heat did make some off-season moves they did not have the money to do much since they doled so much out for James and Bosh last season
The Heat showed last season that they need a big man and this is especially the case since C Zydrunas Ilgauskas retired. Miami showed how desperate they are for a big man signing former lottery pick Eddy Curry, who has been a no-show in the last 3 years in the league.
Last season the Heat had the 8th highest scoring team, but where they really excelled was on defense. They ranked 6th in the league in opponents’ points per game and their D may be better this season with a healthy Udonis Haslem and the signing of Shane Battier. Battier was a good off-season addition, as he can play good D and he can knock down the 3. If Mike Miller can stay healthy the Heat will be tough to beat, as Miller and Battier are great long range bombers that can really open up the court for James and Wade to operate.
The finals showed last season that for Miami to win the title they need to hit the boards and James needs to show up in the 4th quarter. He disappeared at times in the final period and was far from clutch when it really mattered. He needs to step up this season and score key baskets down the stretch, especially in the post-season. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Heat could not sign Baron Davis so Mario Chalmers will be the starting PG. His assists and steals were down last season and he needs to change that this season. Still, with the Big 3 he will not be counted on for much scoring. Joel Anthony is the other starter and while he does not give much offense he is a solid on defense, but needs to grab more boards.
Miami Heat Projected Starting 5
Mario Chalmers PG 6.4 ppg
Dwyane Wade SG 25.5 ppg 6.4 rpg
LeBron James SF 26.7 ppg 7.5 rpg 7 apg
Chris Bosh PF 18.7 ppg 8.3 rpg
Joel Anthony C 2 ppg 3.5 rpg
Who’s In
Norris Cole (No. 28)
Shane Battier (from Grizzlies)
Eddy Curry
Mario Chalmers (re-signed)
James Jones (re-signed)
Juwan Howard (re-signed)
Who’s Out
Mike Bibby (to Knicks)
Jamaal Magloire (to Raptors)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Retired)
Outlook: I think the Heat will win the Eastern Conference again and they will not have much of a problem doing it. However, for the 2nd straight season they will lose in the finals, as I see the Lakers having one more title run in them.
Projected Win Total – 44 (66 game season)
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