Dwyane Wade Is Back: Miami Heat Dominate Orlando Magic 96-70 In Home Opener
Think it may be safe to say that Dwyane Wade won't take too long to wear off the rust.
In the spirit of Halloween, Miami put on a scary good performance in their home opener versus the reigning division champion Magic.
So much for all of Orlando GM Otis Smith's trash talking this offseason.
Wade was spectacular against Orlando,as he led the Heat in scoring for a second straight game. This should put to rest doubts that his preseason hamstring injury is still affecting his play.
We knew that what happened in Boston was more of an anomaly than a sign of how good or bad the Heat would be this season.
Like a locomotive, Miami seems to be picking up steam with each and every game. One has to deduce that after 82 games this will be a finely-tuned machine entering the playoffs.
The Heat didn't just beat the Magic, they annihilated them. Orlando would not be able to handle Miami in a seven-game series.Their wing play isn't enough to match that of Wade and LeBron James. At times it seemed as though both could do whatever they wanted versus Magic defenders
Wade led the way with 26 points. James added 15 points six boards and seven assists while Chris Bosh contributed 11 points and 10 boards. The Heat went 9-for-18 from the three-point stripe too.
However the single biggest factor in Miami's cakewalk win was the Heat's ability to draw Dwight Howard into committing costly fouls. Orlando can't survive without their Superman and Miami's Three Kings seem to be his kryptonite.
We were barely into the second half when Howard found himself confined to the bench after picking up his fifth foul. All three Heat Super Friends drew at least one against the league's best big man.
This is why Boston will pose the biggest threat to a Heat NBA Final's appearance. Because unlike Orlando, Boston has the roster depth and balance to not have to worry about anyone player getting into foul trouble.
Even then the Celtics might not be much of a match come May/June either.
After all Miami played as bad as they possibly can and still were in the game with less than two minutes. Come the post season the Celtics old legs will be tired while Miami will likely be in top form.
The best gauge for how good this team can be will come on Dec. 25 in Los Angeles. The Lakers may very well be the only team talented enough to hang with Miami.
The most encouraging sign has to be the hustle and defense that Miami displayed against Orlando. It seemed as though there were Heat hands all over the place forcing bad passes and shots.
Both early and late in the third quarter, the Heat went on runs during which the team seemed possessed.
If tonight's performance was a sign of things to come, then the rest of the league is in some really deep dog poop.
A healthy and explosive Wade, along with a stellar and dominant James, will one day be considered the league's greatest tandem ever. Forget Shaq and Kobe or Jordan and Pippen. These two guys are the best thing since sliced bread. They are the two best players in the NBA, and they're on the same side.
Give it time, this team will be really great really soon. The talent that has been assembled will eventually fuse and become practically unbeatable. Mike Miller's addition will serve as the final piece of the puzzle which will make this into the league's most daunting
For now, James Jones play has to be extremely encouraging. He struggled in Boston but has put together two quality games and seems to be finding his rhythm.
As if the Heat's Big Three needed much help, they're getting pretty solid play from most of the guys in their rotation. If this continues, then Miami will be enjoying many easy wins like this one.
Can't wait to see how they do next time against the Celtics. Got a feeling it's going to be a completely different result. Until then, look for Miami to go on an extended winning streak as they proceed on their journey into the land of legends.
