Miami Heat: How Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis Help Team's Repeat Chances

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Ray Allen is taking his talents to South Beach. The former Boston Celtic is leaving Beantown for the defending champion Miami Heat.

For Allen, it was time for a change: [via Boston Globe]

“I haven’t spoken with (Rondo) at all,” said Allen. “When I came down here I texted Paul (Pierce) and Kevin (Garnett), those are the guys I talked quite a bit with over the years and we shared a lot of similar philosophies. Those are the guys when we came into Boston together, a lot was put on our shoulders as to whether or not we were going to win. So I look back at all our times spent in Boston and we played, we’ve had a lot of disappointments, we shared a lot of thrills and a lot of that is off the court."

The Heat also signed forward Rashard Lewis to a contract. How do the two players help the Heat defend their title?

Read on to find out. 

Three-Point Shooting

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Both Lewis and Allen are prolific three-point shooters.

Allen holds the record for most three-pointers made. He has a career average of 40 percent from behind the arc. Last season, he shot 45.3 percent from distance.

Lewis can also shoot it well. He has a career average of 38.8 percent from range.

The two will add instant offense off the bench. They can stretch the floor, as well as open up lanes inside for LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. 

Allen and Lewis will be perfect for the Heat. Whenever James drives, he'll have reliable three-point shooters to dish to.

Depth

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The Miami Heat didn't have the best bench last season.

Now with Allen and and Lewis on board, they'll make that bench even better.

Allen and Lewis will join Mike Miller, James Jones, Norris Cole and Joel Anthony to form a solid second unit.

They will be able to spell the Big Three. Allen can take over for Wade. Lewis can take over for Bosh and James.

The Heat have a championship roster. Adding these two players will keep their stars fresh for the stretch run. 

Versatility

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Rashard Lewis gives the Heat plenty of versatility.

He can play the 3, 4 or, in a pinch, the 5. He can spell both James and Bosh.

In addition, he allows the Heat to play small ball. They can put James at the 4 and Lewis at the 5. They could put Lewis at the 4 and Bosh at the 5. Or they could put James at the 3, Lewis at the 4 and Bosh in the pivot.

Adding versatility is key in the NBA. Allowing to maximize your players talents is essential. Lewis makes the Heat lineup even more imposing and dangerous. 

The Rich Get Richer

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Miami's chief rival is the Boston Celtics. Now, one of Boston's best player is in South Beach.

The Heat pulled away from the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. They looked athletically superior.

Now, with Allen in Miami, the gap between the Heat and the Celtics became that much bigger. The Celtics don't have anyone who can replace Allen's shooting.

As for Lewis, he's a versatile, inexpensive piece that can affect a game in multiple ways.

The additions of Lewis and Allen will make the Heat the instant favorites to repeat for the NBA Championship.