Hoops Habit
Fansided

Predictions For The Southeast Division In 2016-17

By Carter Johnson

Feb 28, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) is defended by Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky III (44) in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Hornets 87-76. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) is defended by Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky III (44) in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Hornets 87-76. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
NBA
Nov 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (1) takes a breather during the second half against the New York Knicks at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 95-78. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Miami Heat

2015-16 Record: 48-34 (1st in Southeast Division)
2016-17 Record: 28-54 (Last in Southeast Division) 

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

Only three years removed from their last championship and two years removed from the glory of the Big 3 days, the Miami Heat have been relegated to the cellar of the Southeast Division and the Eastern Conference after one of the most devastating offseasons one team has suffered in recent memory.

The Miami Heat went all in on re-signing blossoming talent Hassan Whiteside and the cream of the free agent crop in Kevin Durant, thus neglecting contract negotiations with multiple free agents still on the team, including the franchise’s greatest player ever in Dwyane Wade.

While the Heat were successful in locking up Whiteside long-term, they not only missed out on Durant, but also lost serviceable small forwards in Luol Deng and Joe Johnson as a result. Had the losses stopped there, their offseason might not have been that much of a disaster.

But then the unimaginable happened.

Early on in the offseason, reports surfaced that Wade felt disrespected by being put on the back burner by Pat Riley and company so that they could pursue the aforementioned free agents.

That disrespect only escalated when the Heat refused to pay Wade like the franchise player he’s been to them and instead offered him a deal that would’ve paid him $40 million over only two years.

While rumors circulated of Wade entertaining other teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and the Denver Nuggets, no one took them seriously because the same standoff played out last year and ended in the two sides coming to an agreement.

Unfortunately for Miami, Wade had finally had enough of sacrificing and decided to leave the only team he’s played for in his 13-year career to play for his hometown Chicago Bulls in 2016-17.

Now the franchise has not only lost two solid contributors, but also the greatest player in franchise history as well. That outlook only gets worse when you figure in the amount of uncertainty surrounding the health of the only remaining Big 3 member in Chris Bosh.

If Bosh can overcome the blood issues that have plagued him over the last two seasons, the Heat will likely best this prediction.

However, if he’s not able to play a significant amount of games, it’s hard to see this team pulling out 30+ wins on the backs of an elite but inconsistent talent in Goran Dragic, a star who’s still developing in Whiteside and youngsters like Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson who are still rough around the edges.

Expect this Heat team to cool off significantly from last season and be a lottery team in 2016-17.

Next: No. 4