| Heat Prepare For Long Haul Authored by Andrew Friedman - February 26, 2005 - 2:32 am
Alonzo Mourning and Steve Smith appear to be Miami’s final two additions (at the cost of Malik Allen and apparently Wesley Person) to make a run for the NBA Championship.
While Miami did not get Eric Williams, who I was hoping would be the final piece to the puzzle, or Donyell Marshall, who was widely rumored in various trades to Miami, before the trade deadline Thursday, the Heat did opt for former Miami star Steve Smith, who helped lead the team during their first ever trip to the playoffs in 1992. Steve Smith and Alonzo Mourning improve the Heat bench tremendously, particularly with their veteran leadership. Smith, at 6’8”, has more height than any of Miami’s other shooting guards and small forwards, which was (and still might be) a need for this team.
Miami’s depth chart currently looks like this:
Point Guards: Damon Jones…Keyon Dooling
Shooting Guards: Dwyane Wade…Steve Smith…Dorrell Wright
Small Forwards: Eddie Jones…Shandon Anderson…Rasual Butler…Qyntel Woods
Power Forwards: Udonis Haslem…Michael Doleac…Christian Laettner
Centers: Shaquille O’Neal…Alonzo Mourning…Wang ZhiZhi
I still question the defense of this team, although Alonzo Mourning should change the intensity off the bench astronomically. Another point of concern in addition to defense is the improved Eastern Conference after the trade deadline. Philadelphia instantly becomes a threat after adding Chris Webber to their power rotation. Another team that could automatically be in the Heat’s radar, along with Detroit, Indiana, Cleveland, and now Philadelphia, is the Boston Celtics. Antoine Walker has rejoined his former team and has reunited with Paul Pierce in hopes of making another run for the championship together. Rumors also hint that Gary Payton may return to Boston shortly as well (though other sources indicate he is interested in joining Miami). The East looks better all of a sudden though I doubt Shaquille O’Neal anticipates Walker or Webber getting in the way of Miami reaching the promised land.
As improved competition and iffy defense appear to be potential obstacles for the Heat, the only other obvious issue that could affect Miami’s chances of a true title run is injuries, particularly to Dwyane Wade and the power rotation. Shaquille O’Neal is currently recovering from a strained knee, Alonzo Mourning is dealing with a kidney illness, and Christian Laettner can’t seem to heal from his chronic injuries (trading Malik Allen could come back to haunt this team—with potential injury problems Miami would miss him dearly). Additionally, Dwyane Wade takes a beating night in and night out. Be that as it may, these men are proven NBA warriors and want nothing more than for Miami to win it all. If anything, Miami’s biggest strength is its dedication to winning and its apparent aura that this team is destined to go all the way.
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