Will the Heat Repeat?
Despite the fact that the Miami Heat currently sit as the #1 team in the Eastern Conference, for what we´ve come to see from this team over the past 2 years, their performance thus far has been pretty mediocre compared to where it should be. One must consider that by all other Eastern conference teams’ standards, the Miami Heat are playing fantastic basketball but when considering the standards that men like LeBron James and Chris Bosh hold themselves to; you can´t believe that the Heat are entirely happy with their performance thus far in this NBA season. The Heat are an impressive 31-14 through their first 45 games but are just 12-11 on the road. The team’s 19-3 home record is lovely but won´t be as lovely if they have to face San Antonio or Oklahoma City on the road in the Finals (That is if the pace remains as it currently for the Heat, Thunder, and Spurs either makes finals?)
Where the Heat have been plagued this season has been in the height department. They have struggled to grab rebounds on occasion and when they are not able to get fast break points their lack of size shows itself in the slower half court game. The Heat are 0-2 against the Pacers and Knicks this year. They have also lost games to the Bulls who are still without PG Derek Rose. In the games against the Pacers, Indiana’s physicality and size inside definitely hurt the Heat. The Heat have tried to counter this lack of physiciality and size on the interior by signing PF/C Chris “Bird Man” Anderson. Anderson will definitely help inside as he´s proved himself to be both a solid rebounder and shot blocker through out his career. LeBron James currently leads the Heat in ppg 26.7, rebounds 8.3, assists 7.0 and steals with 1.7. LeBron has only gotten better but the fact that he leads his team in rebounding with 8.3 just further illustrates the Heat´s rebounding struggles. In spite of playing 25 minutes a game Ray Allen has only average a lackluster 10.9 ppg while shooting great from the fg´s 46% and 3´s at 42%. Look for Ray´s point totals to go up. Rashard Lewis the other big off-season acquisition the Heat made has been shooting the 3 ball at a stellar 45% as well. However in spite of having such a bomb squad the Heat still lack the height they might need to win the NBA title again this year. Yes they do have the best player in the world and perhaps the best athlete of any sport ever in LeBron James and it is very hard to conceive anyone putting a 4 pin knock out on LeBron James in the Playoffs, a team who is very physical inside such as either the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, or Brooklyn Nets could give LeBron James and company unwanted interior troubles. While it´s highly unlikely that the Heat don´t repeat this year, a team with the right height and physicality could make their journey a harder one.