Miami Heat: 10 Bold Predictions for LeBron and Co. Next Season

We are about three weeks removed from the Miami Heat capturing their second NBA title; the first in the Big Three era. But like with all things sports, the rapid turnaround has already began to take place. 

With the addition of sharpshooters Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, the expectations are even higher than last year's, while seemingly every other team in the league attempts to build a team that can compete with the Heat.

It's never too early for bold predictions, especially when there's not much else to do during the offseason. So here are my 10 bold predictions for LeBron and company next season.

LeBron Will Capture His 4th MVP

I think it's safe to say that LeBron has established himself as the best player in the NBA and it will take a lot for anyone to surpass him in the next few years as he continues to improve.

James is either in or nearing his prime, but not at the peak of it. Yet, he's already got three regular season MVPs in his trophy case.

I wouldn't bet against LBJ this upcoming year as far as winning yet another one. He's coming off the best season of his career, and he's a hungry champion fiending for another championship.

The Big 3 Will Start in the All-Star Game

Last year, only two out of Miami's Big Three got the start in the All-Star game. It was Chris Bosh who came off the bench.

However, I foresee a subpar season for Carmelo Anthony, at least by our standards. Not because he is not still an exceptional player, but because of the help he has around him. He will not be asked to do as much.

Meanwhile, Bosh will continue to put up his consistent numbers and bang out even more double-doubles as he plays more of the 5. 

Therefore, I think the Eastern Conference starting lineup might come down with a little fever the night before with so much Heat consuming the locker room.

Miami Will Be Top 3 in 3-Pointers Made Per Game

Like I mentioned before, the Heat have recently had the pleasure of inking Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen to a couple of deals that will have them playing alongside the Big Three next season. 

Allen, one of the best shooters this league has ever seen, and Lewis, an absolutely terrific shooter for his size, will surely see a lot of minutes right off the bat, and I don't think it will take them long to find their groove. 

It's going to be really tough for other teams to double LeBron, Wade and Bosh, while still getting out on Miami's shooters: Lewis, Allen, Mike Miller, Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers. The list goes on and on. 

Open shots for these guys usually result in long nights for the other team.

65+ Win Season to Go Along with the No. 1 Seed in the East

I'm not going to get too crazy here and say the Heat will beat the Bulls' all-time regular season record for wins in a season. But I do believe they will win around 65 games next season and obtain the No. 1 seed in the East.

During the playoffs, something just clicked for the Heat, and they were rolling on all cylinders. 

Granted, it will take some time for the Heat to develop the same type of chemistry with some of the new guys, but it won't take too long and Miami will be back to their winning ways early in the season and maintain them throughout.

Chris Bosh Will Start the Entire Season as the 5

Clearly, Bosh can do some good things for the Heat playing the 5. 

He stretches the floor, he rebounds, he hustles and he gets an easy bucket every now and then to keep them in the game.

Erik Spoelstra would be very smart to start and play Bosh at the 5 for the majority of games. Especially now with the acquisition of Rashard Lewis. 

The Heat have a lot of guys that can do the same thing, but nobody that can do what Bosh does for them when he's out on the court. Something to keep in mind for Miami.

Dwyane Wade Will Return to Old Form

Don't count Dwyane Wade out just yet. This surgery will do him much more good than it will do him harm. 

Remember when Wade got his knee drained and then proceeded to put on one of the best playoff performances we have seen alongside LeBron James? Yeah, well take that and multiply it by 82 and expect Wade to be back to playing like that whenever he's on the floor.

Wade has already done the most important thing: give LeBron the reins to the Miami Heat. But that doesn't mean he won't continue to be the spectacular player we have come to love and enjoy watching play.

LeBron James Will Win Defensive Player of the Year

I'm one of those people who believes he should have won it last year. But if he continues to play defense next year like he did during this last one, there is no reason anyone should beat him out for Defensive Player of the Year, again.

He can, and does, guard every position effectively. Just because he's a three-time MVP already and he's not a seven-footer protecting the rim doesn't mean he deserves to slighted as the best defensive player in the NBA.

Erik Spoelstra Will Be Selected as Coach of the Year

We think Spoelstra has one of the easiest jobs in sports. I mean, how hard can it be to coach such a talented team?

Well, if you know anything about sports, often times it is the most talented teams that prove the hardest to coach. 

We talk about all the pressure on LeBron and Wade, but it's very unlikely that Spoelstra would have been back to coach the Heat if they did not win the 2012 NBA championship.

That being said, he's solidified himself as a solid coach and champion in the NBA and has earned the respect of his team and his peers. All signs point to him being selected as the Coach of the
Year.

Haslem Sightings Willl Be Rare

Udonis Haslem, the co-captain for the Miami Heat and the only other player besides Wade who has been a part of two parades on Biscayne Boulevard. 

But prepare yourself for this Heat fans, Haslem sightings will be very rare in the next few years. Aside from the fact that he had a very mediocre season, Haslem simply doesn't fit the mold anymore of what the Heat are looking for. Just look at the rest of the roster. At best, we will see Haslem split minutes with Joel Anthony as the backup center. 

Haslem's mid-range jumper is not good enough, anymore at least, to be considered as someone who can stretch the floor.  However, what he does do well is rebound and make hustle plays. Therefore, Pat Riley and Spoelstra will always ensure that he gets some minutes here and there. 

Haslem, if you're reading this, just know your role with the team is lessening each day, and the sooner you accept that, the better.

Heat-Peat

If you can't take the Heat, then stay out of the kitchen, because I just checked the weather forecast, and we are in store for a Heat-peat.

But really, all corniness aside, I definitely see Miami as a team with the personnel, confidence and experience to repeat. 

I'm not sure they will realize just how hard it is until they come to that bridge, but when they do, they'll be ready. 

Although every team in the NBA seems to be trying to build a team fit to compete with the Heat, Miami will always have one thing over them; their Big Three includes LeBron James. Oh, and not to mention a top-five player in Dwyane Wade and one of the best big men in the league surrounded by shooters. 

Man, oh man, does Pat Riley know how to build a team or what?