Why Miami Heat Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh Should Avoid Playing Overseas

According to agent Henry Thomas, both Miami Heat stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have an interest in playing overseas if the lockout extends into the regular season according to the Miami Herald.

This isn't the first time that we've heard prominent names discussing the international exodus in the wake of the lockout.

Kevin Durant has already stated that he's 50-50 to play elsewhere if regular season games are lost, Deron Williams has signed with the Turkish team Besiktas and Kobe Bryant has been courted by D-Will's newest team as well.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that Wade and Bosh have now thrown their name into the ring as well after FIBA cleared the way for NBA players to engage internationally, and now we'll begin to see which candidates are actually serious about their venture overseas.

Should Wade and Bosh be serious about winning a title for the Miami Heat, the stars should set a precedent by simply saying no to playing anywhere outside of South Beach.

While the lure of playing competitive basketball rather than training at home is certainly enticing, neither Wade nor Bosh has been a harbinger of perfect health throughout their careers, and Miami needs each one at full strength if they're going to live up to the hype surrounding them.

The spotlight on the team has never shone brighter than it currently is, as the team failed to win it all after promising multiple championships and executing a circus-like introduction party for their three biggest stars.

If two of them put their attention anywhere else but on the Miami Heat, what type of message will that send to an already despondent fan base?

This team is one that wants to be playing deep into every NBA season as long as they have the "Big Three" rostered, and the extra wear and tear placed onto their bodies will likely come back to haunt them if they are faced with postseason series filled with physicality.

Neither player has ever registered a full slate of 82 regular season games during their career, and after the Heat invested over $200 million in the two before last season, it's likely that they're going to want to protect that serious chunk of cash at any cost.

The worst possible thing for Miami is that one of their key contributors gets seriously injured when they're playing in a uniform that doesn't have Heat embroidered across the chest.

As leaders of the team, Bosh and Wade should send a message about their desire and seriousness to win an NBA title.

Moving forward, that should be the focal point in their offseason plans.

Let other guys flirt with the possibility of playing elsewhere.

There is work to be done in South Beach.