The cloudy confusion has been cleared as the NBA free agency predictions have become ink-bounded contracts.
The self-proclaimed king, LeBron James, and the only reason the Toronto Raptors have sold tickets since Vince Carter left, Chris Bosh, will join Dwyane Wade in South Beach as members of the Miami Heat.
Wade and James are two of the three best players in the league, Bosh is one of the best scoring big men in the NBA and all of them are in their prime. Add them together and the result is the beginning of a dynasty. On paper, this is the best trio in the league and arguably of all time.
Championship parades will be happening in Miami if the Heat can survive one major problem — they have to field a minimum NBA active roster.
Miami Heat President Pat Riley has only Mario Chalmers on his roster besides the big three and the NBA requires at least 12 players. Miami spent most of its money on James, Bosh and Wade. Anybody else who joins the team will have to take minimum contracts. Usually, the only players who will take a pay cut to win a championship are the veterans.
The first one who comes to mind is Shaquille O’Neal. The 38-year-old is only going to be in the league for one or two more years. Why not go out on top? Bosh, who was a center by default in Toronto, has stated many times he wants to play his natural position. O’Neal is the big body the Heat would need to make Bosh’s dream come true.
Another possibility is forward Mike Miller. Miller is a glue guy, meaning, he can do a little bit of everything statistically and the intangibles such as extra passes, court vision and hustle — not in box scores — but helps the team play better.
Other than O’Neal and Miller, the Heat will probably sign second or third year players for small contracts who will do nothing on the court.
If the Heat fail to surround their holy triumvirate with solid veterans, the Chicago Bulls may be contenders.
The Heat could possibly win three to four championships in the next five years, but the Bulls could provide the toughest challenges out of all the teams in the conference. The Boston Celtics, who resigned Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, are too old and will not be able to run with the Heat. Orlando has the athletic ability and shooters, but it has not shown the winning drive needed to beat a team with three players who came together with the sole purpose of winning multiple championships.
As a Bulls fan, I was upset the Bulls didn’t get one of the three big name free agents, but with their other moves they quickly went from summer losers to winners.
The Bulls made their first big splash when they signed Utah Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer. Boozer was the fifth best player available behind Bosh, Wade, James and Amare Stoudemire. He is a veteran who can play both sides of the ball in the low post.
Then the Bulls signed Boozer’s Jazz teammate Kyle Korver. Korver is a sniper from the three-point line. He is also a true small forward who has an NBA body for defensive and rebounding purposes.
The two needs for the Bulls were successfully addressed with an offensive post player and a shooter.
But in order for James to save his image, the Heat will have to win at least three consecutive championships.
James killed his positive image with NBA fans when he decided to go on ESPN to announce his plans. The way he handled his contract negotiations is unprecedented in sports. He made sure all lights were always on him. James had the right to choose where he wanted to play, but he didn’t have the right to make himself more important than the NBA Finals or to verbally disrespect the Cleveland Cavaliers and their fans.
Brandon LaChance can be reached at blachance@dailyegyptian.com or 536-3311 ext. 282.
Related posts:
