NBA Free Agency 2012: Miami Heat Announce Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis Signings

The Miami Heat this afternoon announced the signings of the free agents Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. Just weeks after winning their second title in franchise history, the Miami Heat bolstered their roster in preparation for their title defense. 

Ray Allen will go back to using his previous No. 34 jersey and Rashard Lewis will use the No. 9 for the Heat next season.

Allen opted not to return to the Boston Celtics, but join the team that knocked him out of the playoffs last season in the Eastern Conference finals. Lewis agreed to a buyout with the New Orleans Hornets after being traded there, making him a free agent.

The pair add their specialized three-point shooting to the roster that lacks shooters. In the finals, Mike Miller and Shane Battier showed just how dangerous the Heat are with knock down shooters.

Allen and Lewis are much better than what the Heat had before when it comes to shooters, and therefore should be even scarier to face.

Lewis also adds an interesting dimension with the Heat going all-in with small-ball. Lewis' size allows the Heat to bring in another perimeter player without sacrificing a ton of size. At 6'10", Lewis can play the 3 or the 4 with LeBron playing the other and Bosh the 5 without giving up that much size. 

During the introduction, both players talked about their roles and what they hope to do in Miami.

"

Lewis: My role on this team is to do whatever the staff wants me to do to win ball games, and that's what I'm going to do. #WeGotRashard

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) July 11, 2012"

"

Ray: I'm not going to try & win on my own terms, but on what Coach Spo and Pat Riley needs and wants to win another championship. #WeGotRay

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) July 11, 2012"

And yes, the Heat organization really did use the obnoxious "#WeGot..." hashtag. Although it's hard to hate on a team that just keeps winning.  

It seems that both players are committed to getting a ring and doing whatever it takes to assist the big dogs in Wade and LeBron rather than be significant stars. With new and improved role players, the Heat are definitely the favorites to win another ring next season. 

The next question becomes, who's going to be the next veteran looking to tag along on the journey for a ring?