Miami Heat: Why They Can Still Win a Title This Year

The Miami Heat can still win the NBA title this year. Knock them all you want, but all it does is make them angry.

As some of the top teams in the NBA are finding out as of late, you won't like the Heat when they're angry.

This season has been anything but easy for Miami after signing "Heat Three Kings," but I don't really feel that they expected it would be walk in the park.

Winning and maturing as a team takes time. It often takes years, not games. The Boston Celtics were one of the lone exceptions to have everything click in their first season together a few years ago.

But again, that is the exception, not the norm.

So with just 15 games remaining for the Heat in the 2010-2011 NBA season, here are the top 10 reasons why they can still win the championship in June.

Dwyane Wade's NBA Finals Experience

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 04: Guard Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat hangs on the rim before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on March 4, 2011 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloa

Wade has been to the NBA Finals before. In fact, he led the Heat to a championship with much less of a supporting cast then he has to work with now.

Wade is still averaging almost 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game. Those numbers are usually good enough to be mentioned in the race for MVP, except for his teammate in LeBron James and rival in Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls.

Wade is the type of player who thrives in the playoffs, and this year should not be any different.

Some of the Opposition Is Too Young

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JANUARY 30: Forward Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder takes a shot against Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat at Ford Center on January 30, 2011 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agre

The Miami Heat are still a relatively young team in comparison to some of the other playoff contenders, but they have postseason experience.

Some of their likely opponents in the Eastern Conference playoffs or NBA Finals are too young to compete in a seven game series.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will win a championship together one year. But they need a few more pieces and another season or two playing together.

Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose is the MVP this season. But he is still young. So is Joakim Noah. And if you are banking on Carlos Boozer staying healthy, you are setting yourself up for a huge letdown.

Some of the Opposition Is Too Old

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 05: Shaquille O'Neal #36 of the Boston Celtics is fouled by Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs on January 5, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo

A grueling seven game series can take a lot out of any NBA team, but really takes its toll against a team who is a bit long in the tooth.

Miami would have fresher legs than a few of the teams they could meet in the playoffs.

San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker have all played a lot of basketball. Sure, they are still all great players, but if they had to go the distance in a couple of series before reaching the finals, they would be exhausted.

Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki has battled a few injuries this season, and he is not getting any younger. Neither are Jason Kidd or Jason Terry. Age is not a friend of the Mavs.

Chris Bosh Is Finally Getting Involved

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MIAMI, FL - MARCH 10: Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat shoots over Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game at American Airlines Arena on March 10, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by dow

Ever since "Crygate," Bosh has been more involved. 

He finally spoke up and did his best Keyshawn Johnson impression of saying the team just needs to get him the ball more, and the results have been very positive for Miami.

When LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the rest of the Heat realize that Bosh is an integral part of the team's offense, good things happen.

They now know that, so why should it change any time soon or down the line?

New Puzzle Pieces on Other Contenders

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WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 14: Kendrick Perkins #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder puts up a shot in front of JaVale McGee #34 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at the Verizon Center on March 14, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

At the beginning of the season, Miami was trying to figure out how to play together as a team after so many new players joined the team.

But while they are now becoming more comfortable with each other, it is the other contenders who are trying to see how their new pieces fit.

Boston Celtics: Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, Troy Murphy

Orlando Magic: Jason Richardson, Gilbert Arenas and Hedo Turkoglu

New York Knicks: Amar'e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups

Oklahoma City Thunder: Kendrick Perkins, Nate Robinson and Nazr Mohammed

Denver Nuggets: Raymond Felton and Danilo Galinari

Perennial Injury Concerns to Other Teams' Key Players

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DALLAS, TX - MARCH 12: Center Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers gets the slam dunk against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on March 12, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo

The main pieces of the Heat have remained relatively healthy this season, at least as far as their big three are concerned.

But other teams have players who generally see time on the bench in almost every season. The playoffs may not be any different.

Boston Celtics: Shaquille O'Neal—Now that they traded away Kendrick Perkins, they will have to rely heavily on Shaq in the playoffs.

Los Angeles Lakers: Andrew Bynum—What are the odds that he makes it through the season healthy? Probably quite the long shot.

Chicago Bulls: Carlos Boozer—How many games has already missed this season? And don't think for a minute that he is done either.

Portland Trailblazers: Brandon Roy—He has been fine as of late, but will those knees hold up well enough in May or June?

Mike Bibby

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MIAMI, FL - MARCH 03: New aquisition Mike Bibby #0 of the Miami Heat drives into the lane during a game against the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Arena on March 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by

Bibby is still learning his role with the Heat, but he signed here and voided a decent contract to come to Miami.

He will figure out what is best for everyone involved, and he has a solid reputation as playing well in the playoffs.

He didn't pass up all that guaranteed money to watch this team get eliminated in the first or second round.

The Possible Return of Udonis Haslem

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 17: Udonis Haslem #40 of the Miami Heat dunks during a game against the Phoenix Suns at American Airlines Arena on November 17, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using

Haslem's rehab from left foot surgery has been a long and hard process, but he has been practicing with the team on and off over the past month, and could be nearing a return to the lineup.

If he can give them some minutes, even in a reserve role in the playoffs, it would do wonders for their depth up front.

Home Court Advantage

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 22: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat throws chalk in the air during a game against the Toronto Raptors at American Airlines Arena on January 22, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by do

Granted, the Heat may not catch the Chicago Bulls for best record in the East, but they have been playing a lot better as of late.

They find themselves 2.5 games back of Chicago and 1.5 behind Boston for the race for home court advantage, but they have an easy stretch at the end of March and into early April.

We all know how well the Heat fare against teams with losing records.

Anything is possible.

They Are 2-0 Against the Los Angeles Lakers

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MIAMI, FL - MARCH 10: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat shoots over Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game at American Airlines Arena on March 10, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downl

We all know of Miami's struggles against most of the elite teams in the league. They have not fared well.

But they own the Los Angeles Lakers.

And if you had to bet on it, do you really see anyone else coming out of the West besides Los Angeles?

Exactly.