The Official Miami Heat 09/10 Countdown to Contention Thread.

If I was a betting man and I was forced into betting something pricey on LeBron's future destination, I'd stick with Cleveland.

Personally, I don't even view New York or New Jersey (err, Brooklyn) as realistic options. Neither option should even be considered a lateral movement. It's Cleveland or Miami, IMO.

 

It's true though, Wade's issue imvho is he is being taken for granted in Miami right now, so if "next" year is the year, why bust you butt this year?

And in the longer term, how many of these preplanned "wait till next year" seasons will there be in Miami?

 

The Knicks no way. For as bad of a coach as he is, Mike Brown has at least taught Lebron the value of defense - and Bron has taken it to heart. No way he goes to NY with D'Antoni.

New Jersey has a lot of young role players that would look a lot better playing around Lebron - not to mention the Jay-Z connection.

Miami with Wade and Bron would be enticing. From what I have read / seen of him around here I can't see him sharing the spotlight that much. When he plays the Kobes and Wades of the league he feels the need to answer every shot - I think even as teammates he would constantly try to one-up another star.

But after reading this thread Miami is a much more legitimate option than I have really thought before. Definitely one that is overlooked in the constant NEW YORK! NEW YORK! spin of the media.

 

Hmm...the same DWade who wanted players acquired this past offseason?

 

Funny, the Lakers don't seem to have those sorts of seasons, and their key guys are ones they acquired via trades.

 

And who did they sign?

The two would seem to at odds Sect, Wade wanted different players, if he were the de facto GM, why were there no new players?

Outside of the Alston signing, which I thought was smart, Miami kept a pat hand.

 

Cleveland isn't exactly the Nets right now, if you haven't noticed. We have a good core group of guys and Danny Ferry has shown a great ability to find players while maintaining cap flexibility.

I think people put a little too much emphasis on getting two superstars. Having two max-contract guys means the rest of your roster is going to be fairly pathetic. Sure the two superstars may be enough to pull you through but I wouldn't count on it. It took Kobe getting a lot of help and the Celtics got one with THREE stars and have been only above average since. The Magic have two stars right now and aren't exactly lighting the league on fire.

 

Again only MIAMI will have the space to sign Wade and another star to Max deals. If King James goes to NY then it will be the status quo for him, he will be the only guy there, and he'd be on a rebuilding team.

Reminds me of Dan Henning "Hey Chad Henne just completed 6 passes in a row! Time to use the Wildcat!"

 

I suspect we will see some trades, especially for Bosch and maybe for Amare S, they were shopping him around last season.

And the same situation exists for Lebron James as for Wade, more money in Cleveland, though I suspect, he will move, but if anywhere to NY were he can be "the man" in the largest spotlight.

As for the Heat, as I've discussed with Sect, the "wait till next yr" theory often goes off the rails.

 

I'd say it is even, maybe advantage Lakers, they've won a title with Odom and he is still on the team.

Kobe also never tested the FA market, he typically signs quietly in the offseason.

D Wade will hit the FA market, if one recalls Riley was trying to sign him to an extension this offseason and Wade would have none of it.

Who knows, the Heat never made a run at Gasol.

Or make smarter trades, the Lakers do so consistently.

Is anyone they drafted or signed as a FA even a starter for LA?

 

Riley=Genius.

Not really, point being is the "Wait till next year" stuff is bogus.

The Heat have hung around .500, they still could go on a run, but DWade has to be DWade and I have to wonder if he will be this season.

You just can't tell a player like Wade that you are not going to compete this season, that's crazy to do so.

 

Well, maybe, like I said they've hung around at .500 this season, they aren't elite, but they haven't just slid backwards, and imho with Alston and Wade they have two players who can get things done in the playoffs.

As for "Real Cool Beasely"..well he is what he is, to me he is immature and frankly not trusted enough to really make an impact.

 

They've been to the finals 3 of the last 6 yrs.

And don't forget, they traded for Kobe Bryant.

 

Honestly, he has to make shots on nights Wade isn't, in some ways he has to play as well as DWade in fewer opportunities.

Keep in mind DWade made his bones taking Haslem and Kareem Butler on a playoff run backwhen.