NBA Free Agent Signings: Miami Heat's Acquisitions Make Them Favorites to Repeat
It's early, but the Miami Heat's signings of Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen gives them a great shot at repeating. They could have shut it down by acquiring Marcus Camby, but he chose the Knicks instead.
Even without Camby's interior presence and veteran leadership, the Heat are looking good.
Though the Heat still aren't as strong in the middle as they would like to be, they will have no problems spreading the floor for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.
It's possible the Heat could floor a team of James, Wade, Allen, Lewis and Chris Bosh. That unit, though not a likely starting lineup, would have tons of versatility and good size.
Bosh proved in the NBA Finals that he could hold his own on the interior, but where Dwight Howard lands could ultimately effect the Heat's status as favorites.
If Howard goes to the Brooklyn Nets, their nucleus of Howard, Deron Williams and Joe Johnson would be formidable, but still not on the level of the Heat.
If Howard were to land in Los Angeles with the Lakers, as has been recently rumored per ESPN, that could shake things up. Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Howard would be very tough to beat.
There are some issues concerning the deal being completed, but if it does happen, buckle up every time the Heat and Lakers meet next season.
The two teams would be the odds-on favorites in both conferences—yes, even over the Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls.
As of now, anything with Howard involved is just talk. That means the Heat are still sitting pretty as the offseason kicks into high-gear.
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