The clock hits zero, Dwyane Wade tosses the game ball to the sky, and is embraced by a suit-wearing Dorell Wright. The Miami Heat are the 2006 NBA Champions.
Recieving their rings on opening night of the following season, the Heat proceeded to be dominated by the Chicago Bulls. Little did they know this would be the start of a large decline for the Miami Heat organization.
After this abomination of an opener, returning from a championship, the Heat were eliminated in 4 games by the very team that ran a train on opening night. What no one really saw coming is what happened next—the worst season in franchise history, exactly 20 years after the inaugural season.
The Heat had the worst season ever by a team just two years removed from a championship. So began the rebuild.
During this horrible 15-67 season, the Heat trimmed a huge piece of the roster they felt was past his prime, and holding them back more than helping. I am of course speaking of Shaquille O'Neal. The trade brought in two important pieces to the Heat's rebuild—combo forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks.
The draft lottery also brought some relief, awarding the Miami Heat the second-overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft—which brought in a young man by the name of Michael Beasley. Beasley was considered to be the best overall player in the draft, and is already a favorite to win the NBA's rookie of the year award. Another piece added by the Heat was second-round pick and most outstanding player in the NCAA Final Four, guard Mario Chalmers.
After a long offseason of signing and releasing various players, the Heat acquired three-point specialist James Jones. Jones finished the 2007-08 NBA season third in three-point accuracy, behind only Jason Kapono and Steve Nash.
Miami also picked up French guard/forward and former Nugget Yakhouba Diawara. With still the possibility of more moves to come, it'll be a bit of a waiting game to see what happens next.
Another question to be asked—can Dwyane Wade recover from his surgeries and play even a fraction of his old self? Unless you've been under a rock for the past few weeks, the USA Men's basketball team has been dominating, with Wade as their leading scorer.
With outstanding athleticism and quickness, Wade has shown he is back in full—and then some. Many of his teammates on Team USA have said they haven't seen him this good since the NBA Finals.
Questions still remain for Miami at the point guard and center spots, but as the year matures, decisions will be made and maybe even some moves as well.
The REAL question on the tip of the tongue of all Heat fans and pretty much all NBA fans is—could this be the start of a new beginning in South Florida basketball? Only time will tell.
5 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Blake Bartholomew 10 months ago
Have nowhere to go but up.
Edit Comment Cancel
Curly Morris 10 months ago
Good job with what you wrote, but I think you could've done even more. Don't be afraid to more matter of factly with your own opinion. People might talk trash but it's always better if you go out on a limb, it makes for better copy.
In my opinion, the Heat are toast and will be toast until they trade Wade.
I believe that Wade will be injured again by late November early December.
Marion will struggle in a half court offensive scheme.
Beasley will pout and make an ass of himself when the season begins to go south.
The Heat sold their souls for that one championship when they signed Shaq. I have argued to many others that in my opinion it wasn't worth it. They were on the cusp of competing when they had Wade, Butler and Odom starting on that squad.
They'll have to cut their losses with Wade soon, before he bolts for nothing and Marion makes too much money for Miami to pay him what he wants.
Just my opinion I could be wrong.
Edit Comment Cancel
Lucas Rifkin 10 months ago
I respect your opinion and I take your criticism as constructive. But I'm afraid I must disagree. The way Wade had been playing with Team USA he looks phenomenal. Sure he's playing with greatness at the moment and of course will flourish, but he is at 100% and WILL remain healthy. As small as these moves the Heat have made so far, I feel that this can get them back into contention. Maybe not for a title, but at least a post season berth. Unless the season does go awry, and all these things happen, except the whole Wade injury thing I don't believe will happen, look for the first one to go, if he doesn't go this off season beforehand, look for Marion to be traded. His contract will expire at the end of the year, he may not want to re-sign after this season and we may not be able to afford him. Most would say, get what you can for him while you still can. I concur however, I believe with his presence and Wade's along with young Michael Beasley, the Heat will have a good turnaround year, and finish this season at or just above .500. That is my prediction, take it or leave it.
Edit Comment Cancel
Mark Brown 10 months ago
The only thing stopping this team is a lack of a true center.
Edit Comment Cancel
Gaz V 10 months ago
Good article. I definitely agree that the Heat will turn it around big time this season. With a healthy Wade playing like he has been, Marion starting to gel with his "new" team, and Beasley playing close to his potential, this team should win 45+ games and earn a spot in the post-season.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.