NBA Power Rankings: 2014-15 Eastern Conference Forecast
By Shane Young
6. Miami Heat — 46-36
American Airlines Arena probably won’t notice too much of a drop-off in fandom. That’s a bit wacky to say right now, and if you said that on July 11, anyone would have slapped you. LeBron James leaving the beach likely meant less attention to the NBA in South Florida.
It won’t be the case, because Dwyane Wade immediately started on his workout regime to get back into playoff shape. Or, you know, the type of condition that can support 70-82 games during a season. Wade took entirely too much criticism last season for missing 28 games due to the knee tendinitis.
Yes, most of those games were for precautionary reasons and for “rest,” but how can any soul on Earth blame Miami for it? They knew — profoundly more than the media — that a fourth straight Finals appearance was in their future, regardless if they were the No. 1 seed, No. 2, or No. 7 or 8. It didn’t matter for them.
Now, Wade has a different goal. It’s not to ride in LeBron’s backpack all the way to the Finals and then disappear. It’s to once again revert to the prolific scoring and top-notch two-guard defense he’s known for. He can thank the Paleo Diet for giving him the body to make it possible, but you don’t have to be a doctor to know shedding pounds doesn’t just automatically give your knees an extra tank of fuel.
If they’re done, they’re done. If there’s one or two more years left of shining with a PER over 20 and a field goal percentage over 50 percent, Wade will let us know by Christmas. In that timeframe — end of October to December — we’ll know the destiny of the Heat.
This is not only the time for Chris Bosh to grow the hair back out and scream as loud as he can in clutch moments, but it’s time for him to retire the “I haven’t played in the post in years” attitude. Pat Riley rewarded you for being one of the loyal members of the Big 3, and you’re ludicrous if you think Riley will accept that attitude. He may not be the coach, but he holds the most social power in the franchise.
Miami’s Vito Corleone also lured in Charlotte’s Josh McRoberts and the Clippers’ Danny Granger, who’s had bad blood with the Heat during playoff exchanges. Both of them have, actually.
McRoberts could be so much more valuable on the boards than he is, which is saddening, but someone is going to be placed next to Bosh in the starting frontcourt. He better bring the same confidence and big man play-making he complemented Charlotte with last season.
Off all the offseason additions, nothing meant more than Luol Deng, who I’ve classified as the sixth most dangerous small forward for this coming season. Upset at the time of the trade from the Bulls, to being sickened by his Cleveland days to end 2013-14, Deng wanted to be a part of an offense that he fits with, playing for a head coach that preaches good principles on that end.
Spoelstra is his man, and Deng will, in return, ensure the small forward position doesn’t miss a beat on defense. Since LeBron seemed to conserve his energy on defense last season, his efforts were diminished a bit, and they found themselves with weird losses on the schedule.
For the party in Miami, it isn’t over. The music, bright lights, and glamor have all just been turned down a few notches. Six notches, to be exact.