Miami Heat: Mavs Deserve Praise, While Heat Fans Have Reasons to Be Optimistic

I'll start off by congratulating the Dallas Mavericks on a well deserved championship ring. While I most certainly didn't want the Heat to lose, I'm glad its the Mavericks out of anyone. Dirk Nowitzki, who has been the personification of class in his 13 years in the league, deserves this ring. As does Jason Kidd, who was one of my favorites growing up. Tyson Chandler has always been another favorite of mine, and I must say, I wish he was our center. And I'm also happy for Jason Terry. Tattoo removal surgery is expensive and painful, so I'm happy that he doesn't have to go through it.

I'm also happy for Mavericks fans—and I mean real Mavericks fans, not the petty "Cavs for Mavs" type or the ones that cheered for the Mavericks because they weren't the Heat. (Quick tangent, take a look at this. Ohio, listen, you have bigger things to worry about than hating LeBron James. I know you'll hate me for pointing this out, but it just comes off as jealous, petty and stupid, and honestly I wish that real Mavs fans could give you guys a big "F-U" and kick you off their bandwagon. LeBron haters who aren't Mavs fans, let those great fans enjoy THEIR title in peace.) I've always liked Dallas as well as the whole state of Texas from afar and have always had respect for their sports fans. They certainly deserve this title, and it couldn't have gone to a better team. 

Now onto the Heat.

This might sound like I'm crazy and delusional. However, I think its worth saying.

Losing, like this, even seeing the Mavs hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy in Miami, will be the best thing to happen to the Heat.

Even though I thought the Heat would win the series, something seemed a bit disconcerting to me as we headed towards the finals. It felt like the Boston and Chicago series were won just a little bit too easy for the Heat.

While Dallas had the adversity of coming back after blowing an 18-point lead to Portland in  the first round, the Heat for the most part only had two terrible games prior to the finals—Game 3 against Boston, and Game 1 against Chicago.

Other than that, every series was done in five, which made the upcoming Finals look like there would be no doubt.

However, always be wary when things seem to come too easy. It's the reason why you tend to stay away from financing deals advertising "no money down, no interest for up to two years." Eventually what happens is you're stuck paying off that loan much longer than two years and you have to pay more in interest.

The 2011 NBA Finals were the 19 percent interest for Miami. It looked (key word Bulls and Celtics fans, looked) too easy for the Heat, but in the end, they paid the ultimate price.

Next season, things will be different. Riley will continue to tinker with the roster however he can, whether there's a lockout or not. Odds are even that the new CBA will even allow the Heat some room to tinker (although not much).

Nobody will be traded (unless a team really wants Mike Miller), but some reinforcements at the Center position will be brought in, and possibly even another scorer off the bench. Also expect Dexter Pittman to be worked into the roster gradually throughout the regular season, thus further bolstering the Heat's front line.

On top of that, expect the Heat to be humbled. Pat Riley more than likely will see to it that LeBron get put into Witness Protection. He'll make sure that LeBron has a quiet offseason. If I were Riley, I'd actually have Alonzo Mourning tutor LeBron, both in humility as well as a low-post offensive game. On top of that, I'd have Bob McAdoo, one of the greatest scorers of all time and a Miami Heat assistant coach, working with LeBron on said low-post scoring. If that does happen, Chris Bosh should join him and learn how to box out better.

As for Wade, I see him working on his catch and shoot game so that he's not as much of a penetrating player. He knows for the sake of his career that his game needs to adapt to his age, and we've seen him take steps for this. I expect him to be a better shooter, optimistically he'll be at 35 percent from the three-point line, but I'll be ok if it goes up from 30 percent to 33 percent. On paper it doesn't look like much, but it will be enough.

Expect Chalmers, who impressed me this series, to continue to improve his all around game. He also made himself at least $5 Million a year.

Let's see how this team does with a healthy Udonis Haslem, as well as a healthy Mike Miller. Most importantly though, is the fact that this team already has a full season under their belt, and despite being severely lacking in many areas, still made it to the Finals. 

Michael Jordan himself said that this would be the worst Heat team in the near future, and that this is the year to beat them. While I can argue with Scottie Pippen that LeBron will never be better than Michael Jordan, I can't argue with the G.O.A.T. This will be a better team next year, and I can almost say for sure that they will also be more humble and be surrounded by less hubris. Pat Riley is a smart GM, and will certainly make that a focus this offseason, along with free throws of course.

I know in the following days and weeks, it feels for Heat fans that it's the end of the world, but in reality, things have only just begun. Keep your head up and look forward to next season, lockout or not, because the night is always at its darkest before the dawn. Besides you have to admit, despite the disappointing ending, it was a lot of fun this year. Expect more fun next year.

Finally to quote the great Mark Hackman: At its darkest, one size fits all. Hamburgesa con queso, and goodnight everybody. See you next season.