Miami Heat preview by Vivek Wallace
1. What can the Miami Heat learn from the 2006-07 season to help them improve their 2007-08 campaign?
Two things the Miami Heat must learn from last season to make the 2007-08 campaign a successful one is infuse the lineup with more youth, and play with a greater sense of urgency. Last season, Miami Heat head coach Pat Riley stated that he won't allow this year's roster to come into the season with a "light switch" mentality. Hopefully this group of players he assembled get the message. More youth and more aggression should equal more wins.
2. What was the Heat's best and/or worst move during the off-season, either by free agency, trade, or draft?
Best moves of the offseason was when Miami Heat head coach Pat Riley and Alonzo Mourning decided to stick around longer. These two are literally the "heart and soul" of the team, known by all as not only the most vocal, but perhaps also the most intense figures in the locker room.
The worst moves of the offseason was the departures of defensive stopper James Posey - whose offensive contribution was also pretty timely - and Jason Kapono whose deadly accurate shooting made him the perfect "Robin" alongside "Shaqman'. With Shaquille O'Neal constantly attracting attention in the middle, who better to be able to kick the ball out to than the league-leading three-point shooter? Defensive liability, maybe, but there simply wasn't a better shooter in the game. Bar none.
3. Who is the Most Important Player on the Heat? The MIP is not necessarily the most talented, but the one that makes the biggest difference in his TEAM doing well each game.
The M.I.P. on the Miami Heat's roster is easily Shaquille O'Neal. Some would argue Dwyane Wade, but as great as Wade is, a double-team is enough to slow down any guard to some degree, which is why even the "great" Michael Jordan needed Scottie Pippen. Shaq, on the other hand, is still - even at his older age - the most dominating force in the league. D-Wade can have a dominant season and the Heat can still fall short. If Shaq has an All-Star season, you're pretty much looking at a guaranteed playoff run. He's the one player around the league that teams have no answer for. The "Hack-a-Shaq" plan is the best strategy teams have employed, but even that has failed to consistently produce the desired outcome. Simply said, there is NO ANSWER for a healthy and driven Shaquille O'Neal. PERIOD!!!
4. What needs to go right for the Heat to succeed this coming season?
Health
The Miami Heat have to find a way to get enough meaningful depth involved so they can keep guys like Shaq, Wade, and Zo healthy for the postseason run.
Youth Initiative
Solidifying my first point, the Miami Heat have to find a way to get more out of their supporting cast. Guys like Dorrell Wright, and "Smush" Parker have to really be ready to step into the lineup and give some meaningful minutes and keep opposing teams on their toes. Without a meaningful push from the supporting cast, things can go south quickly.
Continuity
More often than not, the Miami Heat has failed to be consistent due to the whole "light switch" mentality. They need to turn it on and keep it on from Game 1 of the regular season through Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Same intensity, same drive, same results... another "W" in the win column.
5. Who are the contenders for the NBA Championship and who do you see taking the title?
Parity has never been more prominent in the NBA as it is now. There are at least seven teams that can win it all.
Eastern Conference:
The Miami Heat, a veteran team that knows how to win. The Detroit Pistons who are older, but still very solid. The Chicago Bulls who are steadily progressing, and the revamped Boston Celtics, which no one quite knows how that project could turn out. The Cleveland Cavaliers I don't see repeating or making it beyond the Eastern Conference's final four, despite last year's success.
Western Conference:
The San Antonio Spurs who are probably the team to beat once again. The Dallas Mavericks who have seemed one good series away from winning it all over the past two seasons. The Phoenix Suns, who are right at the cusp of winning it all.
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