NBA lockout is hurting Miami Heat - Part 4
Last season, Miami Heat had three of the most explosive player in their colours and the impact was there for all to see. However, as the season progressed, it became evident that the fringe player didn’t have what it takes for
a team to win multiple championships.
With every game, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were seen carrying extra burden and the only game in the regular season, in which the triple ripple were allowed an off was the last game against the Toronto Raptors. The
game came at a time when Miami had already qualified for the playoffs as the number two seeds in the Eastern Conference.
Their cause wasn’t helped by the injuries to Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem either. Keyed by the Big Three, Miami continued to bulldoze everything that stood in their way in the playoffs as well. However, when they reached the NBA
finals, their shortcomings at the point guard and centre positions became pronounced.
Joel Anthony provided a good option on the D, but failed completely on the front court. Mike Bibby, who was procured in the latter part of the season to shore up the point guard position, had no clue whatsoever against an older
Jason Kidd and Miami ended up pitching Mario Chalmers at the slot.
In short, Miami’s bench strength was their weakness and boasted a bevy of players, who didn’t live up to their potential.
To counter it and ensure that they do not experience the same agony next season, Miami needs some enforcements and their free agents targets have already been hitting the headlines.
During the course of the last few months, Shane Battier, Caron Butler, Steve Nash, Eddy Curry, Grant Hills and Tayshaun Prince have all emerged as the probable candidates to join the South Beach franchise, but the problem is that
all these player are well above 30.
If the season is lost, a year will be wasted and who knows if the productivity of the players stays the same or diminishes. What if they too become a liability on team once acquired?
These are the questions that are haunting the Heat think tanks as the NBA Lockout continues to spread its wings into the regular season.
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