2012-2013 preview: Beast of the East

Eastern Conference #1: Miami Heat (60-22)

Point Guard: Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole.
Shooting Guard: Dwayne Wade, Ray Allen, Mike Miller.
Small Forward: Lebron James, Rashard Lewis, James Jones.
Power Forward: Shane Battier, Udonis Haslem.
Center: Chris Bosh, Joel Anthony, Dexter Pittman.

          So much has already been said about the Heat, that it already seems a waste of time to talk about them. Because of that, this will be by far the shortest team preview of the series. They went through the Knicks, Pacers, Celtics, and Thunder in the playoffs, which is an accomplishment in itself. Lebron established himself yet again as the best player in the league by finally winning a championship. They've added a two new guys in Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, but the roster is the same other than that. The biggest roster change is actually the plan to switch Bosh to Center and to play Battier at Power Forward. Battier will provide decent defense, score some threes, and spread the floor for Lebron and Wade to attack the rim better by drawing out the opposing PF at times.
          Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to predict how Miami's regular season will turn out. James, Wade, and Bosh battled injuries all season long, and at times it seemed like they honestly didn't care about the season. But in the end, none of that matters. They're the champions. I expect something similar to that this year. However the Heat finish, they will not reach their full potential. If James, Wade, and Bosh decided to play 40 minutes a night for 82 games, they could make a run at Chicago's 72-10 record. But they won't. They've just too injury prone, and the problem is that they know they can skim by the regular season, and turn it on for the playoffs at still kick everyone's butts. The biggest threat to Miami isn't the talent of the other teams, but James and Wade's confidence level. It won't show too much in the regular season, but when the playoffs come again, will they come in expecting to win because they won last year? Or will they walk in completely focused on title #2 (and #3 for Wade)? There are so many questions, but the answers can't come from anyone except the Heat themselves.

          All I know is that this is undoubtedly the best team in the East, and probably the whole league. Durant, Westbrook, Harden, and Ibaka are really good. Howard, Kobe, and Nash look incredibly dangerous. Pierce, KG, and Rondo are still lethal and took the Heat to seven games in the playoffs and have a revamped roster now. The Nuggets, Nets, Spurs, Pacers, and even the Clippers could also claim a shot at the title. But the Heat still have their big three. Bosh may not be spectacular, but his return during the playoffs showed how much the Heat need him and how important of a player he is. For all the bad stuff said about him sometimes, he's still made the All-Star team seven straight years and is one of the best Power Forwards in the league. They have Dwayne Wade, who has developed into a spectacular sidekick for Lebron by averaging 22 points and taking the leading role any time Lebron isn't playing or can't get his shot going. He also led all guards in the league in blocked shots, averaging 1.3 a game along with 1.7 steals. That's three turnovers per game caused by Wade alone. Wade is still one of the best players in the league, but it's just hard to see sometimes with Lebron headlining the team.
          As for Lebron, anything I say will already just be repeating something someone else already said. This guy has been hounded by the media his entire career, and especially since he joined the Heat. His first title is in the books though, and now that he's broken through that wall, he will be aiming for the history books. Can he repeat his Finals victory or even get a three-peat like Kobe and Jordan did? Can he make a legendary run of titles like Russell, Bird, Jordan, or Kobe did? He's already going to be a Hall of Fame legend. The question left is how great. And it may be an answer we can never really answer. The number of titles he collects will be key to that, as well as whether or not he can keep up his statistical and defensive dominance over the next decade. I'm not a Miami fan, and I understand how it is to enjoy hating on Lebron. But we shouldn't try and deny that he's truly a special player, and that's reflected in the attention he draws by both fans and haters alike. When's the last time a player drew attention like this over the course of multiple seasons? Not only that, but he's responded by reaching incredible heights and achieving his first NBA championship. Simply amazing. I'm excited to see how far he can launch himself into the record books and where he will rank among the all-time greats when his career is done, as well as how soon it will be before we crown another young guy "the next Lebron". For all we know, that could start this season. Or next season. Or five or ten years from now.
          Despite so many teams looking amazing this season, the Heat are my favorites to win it all. Doesn't matter how they play during the season. As long as they're healthy in April and May, I'm betting on them repeating as champions. Good luck to anybody who tries to stop them.