Skip to main content
Old North Banter
Fansided

State of the Southeast Division: Miami Heat

ByJohn Woodcock|

The NBA Southeast Division is ripe for challenge. While the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards managed to withstand the winds of fate last year as good playoff teams, the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat were beaten down by injuries and unable to join the playoff party. Now both Charlotte and Miami are reloaded and healthy and looking to make their own mark.

More from Charlotte Hornets

Between the two teams, it is the Miami Heat who made the biggest off season waves. They brought backDwyane Wadefor next year. They brought backGoran Dragic, who was added at the end of last season. They added to their bench depth with forwards Amare Stoudemire and dunk masterGerald Green.

More importantly they getChris Boshback. Bosh was right about his abilities to be the primary scoring option in the offense. Without his lung blood clots, the Heat would have been a playoff team this year.

Then of course there is the Duke connection. That includesLuol Deng, who returns. It includes drafteeJustise Winslow, fresh off his National Championship victory. Both of them are wings and one will start with the other coming off the bench. My current money would place Deng in that spot for now.

NBA Rumors: Bulls trade plans defy all logic in franchise’s current state
NBA Rumors: Bulls trade plans defy all logic in franchise’s current state

FanSided

  • Why it's not the time to give up on Rockets' Jalen GreenSpace City Scoop
  • 3 Former Celtics Failing Miserably With Their New Teams in 2023Chowder and Champions
  • NBA Trade Rumors: Miami Heat expected to 'kick tires' on pursuing Pascal Siakam?Sir Charles In Charge
  • NBA Rumors: Lakers are actively shopping D'Angelo Russell after allLake Show Life
  • Best NBA prop bets today for Lakers vs. Mavericks (Anthony Davis is dominating)Lake Show Life

    • The last Duke player isJosh McRoberts. McRoberts has seen his role shift with the emergence of centerHassan Whiteside. Whiteside enables the Heat to play Bosh at the four in his natural position. McRoberts was brought as a stretch four under the assumption that Bosh would see ample time at center. Now McRoberts would be a backup for Bosh, although it would be hard to see how he and Stoudemire would share minutes. The Heat have to know that Stoudemire does not have the defensive game to anchor the low post.

    Probable Starting Lineup

    PG Goran Dragic
    SG Dwyane Wade
    SF Luol Deng
    PF Chris Bosh
    C Hassan Whiteside

    Bench – F Justise Winslow, GMario Chalmers, F Gerald Green, F Amare Stoudemire, F Josh McRoberts

    More fromOld North Banter

    How good the Heat may become is hard to say. The team seems significantly upgraded compared to last year’s Heat roster, which was not bad. The players the Heat can put on the floor concern me more than the Hawks roster even if the Hawks had the superior record last year. The Hornets will have to play hard to match that 2-2 record they compiled against the Heat last year.

    Next: State of the Division: Atlanta Hawks

    Add us as a preferred source onGoogle
    Follow

    Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations