Having captured the Eastern Conference's first seed at least for the time being, the Miami Heat look well on their way to secure home court advantage throughout the first three rounds of the playoffs.Led by Lebron's sizzling effort is Wade's absence, the heat have began to look like the team that won the title last season. But even if Lebron continues to play well and the heat find a way to win it all once again, what would it mean to the players and how would it impact the franchise itself? Listed here are three steps the franchise should take if they were to win a fourth consecutive ring.
Step 1: Replace the Veterans
Veterans have been a key components of the heats success for the past 3 years,and if it weren't for Ray Allen's clutch three at the end of game 6 of last year's finals we wouldn't have been about a three peat for the Miami Heat. Yet father time has taken its toll on heat's bench, and Ray Allen, Shane Battier, Chris Anderson, and Rashard Lewis should all be taking retirement seriously this offseason. In the case of the retirement of one or more of these players, the heat would need to find younger players who could proudly call themselves good backups for the big three. With Dwyane Wade not poised to play big minutes next season, the heat would need seriously good backups to set themselves up for another title run next season.
Step 2:Resign the big three
With Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh all possibly hitting free agency this offseason, the heat should do everything in their power to resign the three all stars who have led this team to the finals for the past three seasons. Although Lebron James has been truly fantastic for the past few seasons ,the burden of being a lone superstar will eventually tie its toll on him if D-Wade and Chris Bosh aren't there to help the king carry it. Any team led by Lebron James should at least get to the second round of the playoffs: but, if the Heat are looking for a 4 -peat, they should seriously consider bringing back the big three.
Step 3: Find a young , skilled player willing to play 20 minutes a game
Shane Battier has already made up his mind about retiring season, and the Heat's second unit will sorely miss his presence unless the franchise can find a good replacement for the 35 year old sniper.Although experience has helped the Miami Heat win their last 2 championship, they are the oldest team in the league and need someone off the bench, aside from Norris Cole, who can start a fast brake. An acquisition of a player like Gordon Hayward will have a vast impact on whether or not the franchise can truly contend next season.
Step 1: Replace the Veterans
Veterans have been a key components of the heats success for the past 3 years,and if it weren't for Ray Allen's clutch three at the end of game 6 of last year's finals we wouldn't have been about a three peat for the Miami Heat. Yet father time has taken its toll on heat's bench, and Ray Allen, Shane Battier, Chris Anderson, and Rashard Lewis should all be taking retirement seriously this offseason. In the case of the retirement of one or more of these players, the heat would need to find younger players who could proudly call themselves good backups for the big three. With Dwyane Wade not poised to play big minutes next season, the heat would need seriously good backups to set themselves up for another title run next season.
Step 2:Resign the big three
With Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh all possibly hitting free agency this offseason, the heat should do everything in their power to resign the three all stars who have led this team to the finals for the past three seasons. Although Lebron James has been truly fantastic for the past few seasons ,the burden of being a lone superstar will eventually tie its toll on him if D-Wade and Chris Bosh aren't there to help the king carry it. Any team led by Lebron James should at least get to the second round of the playoffs: but, if the Heat are looking for a 4 -peat, they should seriously consider bringing back the big three.
Step 3: Find a young , skilled player willing to play 20 minutes a game
Shane Battier has already made up his mind about retiring season, and the Heat's second unit will sorely miss his presence unless the franchise can find a good replacement for the 35 year old sniper.Although experience has helped the Miami Heat win their last 2 championship, they are the oldest team in the league and need someone off the bench, aside from Norris Cole, who can start a fast brake. An acquisition of a player like Gordon Hayward will have a vast impact on whether or not the franchise can truly contend next season.