NBA Finals: Top Ten Reasons a Miami Heat Win Is Inevitable

If memory serves me right, the Miami Heat have been here before - playing in the Eastern Conference, vying for a shot at the championships. 

The Heat are on the brink of their second NBA Finals appearance in the last six years, and they have developed into a well-oiled machine. With all of the right moves and some of the best players in the NBA, it's not a surprise that they are poised to win another NBA Championship.

Their victory over the Celtics in Game 1 was impressive.  They shut down the Celtics’ offensive and defensive games, leaving Boston with nothing to do but search for answers.  The Heat have the caliber and stamina to win it all  - if not this season, then definitely in the near future. 

Here are the top ten reasons an NBA Finals win is inevitable for the Miami Heat:

10. Dwyane Wade

Wade has been the cornerstone of the Heat’s franchise since 2003.  The shooting guard helped the Heat win their first NBA title in 2006, and led them to the Finals again last year.

Wade has become a natural leader, and one who is not afraid to let others have the spotlight.   That's why the trio of Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh has actually worked.  Wade is a the kind of player that makes those around him better. His unselfish play carries over to his teammates and is a big part of why the Heat is a constant threat.

9. LeBron James

James began his tenure with the Heat in a not-so-subtle way.  The forward struggled last year, becoming the so-called "villain" of the NBA. 

This season, James emerged as the player many knew he could become.  The reigning MVP has stepped into his role as a leader on the Heat, and made it his team just as much as Wade’s.   And fortunately, neither Wade nor James has any problem sharing.

James thrives when he lets his teammates have their own moments to shine.  His performance and game style has made him the player that makes his teammates better.

8. Strong Unit of Players

The Heat roster consists of both veterans and young talent. 

Veterans such as Juwan Howard, Mike Miller and Shane Battier bring versatility and experience to the team.  Forwards and centers Udonis Haslem, Joel Anthony and Ronny Turiaf provide relief for an ailing Chris Bosh.  Point guard Mario Chalmers has settled into his role and is running his position. 

The Heat is a versatile unit, and they have the skills and the tools to create something special thanks to the strength of their entire roster.

7. Coach Erik Spolestra

Erik Spolestra carefully weaves his players into his offensive and defensive plans.  He utilizes his players and schemes effectively, and he's not afraid to take control of his stars.  The coach has the approval of team president Pat Riley, and the respect of his players.

Though the team will sometimes argue with him after consecutive losses, Spolestra ultimately has the ability to bring the talent on this roster together. The Heat know that Spoelstra can guide them to an NBA Championship.  It’s only a matter of time before his hard work pays off.   

6. Pat Riley

Spolestra may be the coach, but everyone knows that Pat Riley runs the show.  Riley brings to the game an old school philosophy: play hard, and win by any means necessary. 

Just look at Miami center Dexter Pittman’s flagrant foul on Pacers' guard Lance Stephenson.  Pittman is currently is serving a three-game suspension for the foul. Miami's current style of play should remind fans of the old days, when Riley’s teams hammered the opposition without a care. 

Remember Riley’s Knicks against the Bulls in the 1990s, and his Lakers versus the Celtics in the 1980s?  Their feuds were vicious because of the aggressive style that Riley encouraged.

Philosophies never change, and Riley’s remains controversial, but it is serving the Heat well. 

5. Competition?

Teams need time to gel. For awhile, the Heat struggled to work together.  It took them two full seasons to become a well-oiled unit.  They finally made it to the NBA Finals last year.

What does that tell you about the other teams who can make a run but haven’t had time to gel? 

The Knicks are constantly rearranging their roster and trading players.  The Clippers need more time for Blake Griffin and Chris Paul to become contenders.  The Magic is currently in disarray and about to be under new management. 

Who can stop the Heat from their inevitable title? 

4. The Ending of Eras

The reigns of the Celtics in the East and the Lakers in the West are coming to an end.

The Celtics lineup needs a shakeup. Their big three - Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett - are past their prime. Management even considered trading starting point guard Rajon Rondo earlier this season.

The Lakers, already in the rebuilding process, are in need of role players who can step up and fill the voids left by Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher.  They need guys who can complement Kobe Bryant and his style of play, the way the Heat’s bench players complement their starters.

3. Chemistry

James and Wade are effective as a dynamic duo.  Add Chris Bosh, and you have a big three that is nearly unstoppable in the postseason. 

Though Bosh is currently out with an abdominal strain, he will be effective in future seasons. 

The Heat roster comes together thanks to the players as well as the coaches’ strategies.  Every player fills his role nicely, and soon the strategies will pay off.

2. They've Been There Before

Look at last year’s NBA Finals.  The Heat made it, even though the team wasn't nearly as unified as they are now.

The players must remember how close they were to a championship.  They nearly tasted the glory.  Their loss in last year's Finals is surely the force that is motivating them to win it all this season. 

1. Strength in Numbers

All these factors - strong individual players, a unified team, good coaching and management, and a real underlying motivation  - add up to a strong unified group with one goal: winning an NBA Championship. 

It’s why James and Bosh signed with the Heat.  It’s why Wade stayed with the Heat.  Their ultimate goal is to win and bring the title back to South Beach.  And by the looks of it, the path has been cleared for the taking.