Will the Miami Heat do a three-peat of NBA titles?
The Miami Heat came into the 2013/2014 season as favourites for the NBA title. Though they have stiffer competition this year, Heat and basketball fans alike will see if the men from Florida can go for a third consecutive NBA championship.
The two-timing defending champions have gone to the NBA Finals four times, winning three against three different opponents. This season comes with its own unique challenges to the Heat, such as a strong and formidable Eastern Conference. However, the Miami Heat swear they will go about it the same way they always have going at it one game at a time, whilst practising as hard as possible.
“We know it’s going to be a challenge for us. We look forward to it.” said head coach Erik Spoelstra.
In the 2013 Playoffs, the Heat weren’t truly tested until they played the Indiana Pacers, even though they finished on top of the Eastern Conference table heading into the Playoffs. Unfortunately the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls didn’t prove enough of a challenge for the men in red and white as none of them managed to get past Game 5. It was the Conference Finals contest for the coveted spot in the NBA Finals between the Heat and Pacers that proved to be an epic battle. The search for San Antonio Spurs opponents went to Game 7 with both teams tied at 3-3. Forward LeBron James shot 32 points and pushed his team to a 99-76 victory in Game 7 to send them to the NBA Finals for a fourth time.
Then they were pushed to their ultimate limit in the NBA Finals against the Spurs with the series stretching to Game 7. In Game 6 of the NBA Finals in front of their home crowd in Miami, Florida, the Heat fell behind after the Spurs gained a late five-point lead with just under a minute of play left. Some Heat supporters were already feeling defeat and started leaving the arena, while there was still time on the clock. But the Heat sealed a win after Spurs Manu Ginobili committed a turnover, giving Ray Allen two free throws in overtime. This team effort would be one of the most surprising comebacks in history. In Game 7, it was James who again pushed the Miami Heat to their third NBA title with 37 points, to a 95-88 win.
According to Basketball Reference, in the 2011/2012 season the Heat lost 20 to 46 wins, finishing second and then going onto to win their second NBA title (first being in 2005/06). In the 2012/2013 season, the Heat finished top-five in the league in opponents points per game, in turnovers forced, and field goal percentage, whilst only losing 16 games out of their 82.
However, the Heat have done better in terms of point differentials and according to NBA.com; their foul rate has escalated in the past two postseasons.
The 2013/2014 campaign for the Heat may be their biggest challenge yet as the Eastern Conference is stronger and with the West also welcoming new ball clubs into contention.
Let’s face the reality; the Heat will be facing more pressure trying to get their third consecutive title. Let’s also not forget that some teams like the Indiana Pacers, who are looking dangerous, have created a carefully detailed plan on how to beat the Heat in a seven game playoff series. The Miami Heat are already set to be named as among the oldest-ever teams to chase a third consecutive title. Eight players out of the 15 on the team’s roster are aged over 30. General manager Pat Riley will have to sit down soon and talk about replacing the old-timers without causing imbalance and uneasiness in the current squad. But that’s only next season’s concern.
Forward-Center, Chris Bosh is coming off an awful display during the 2013 Finals, he scored zero points in Game 7. Bosh focuses primarily on shooting threes; he shot them at a 28.4 percent clip in the 2012/13 season. However, the good news is that despite Bosh’s dreary performance, the Heat still won, which means that the 29-year-old can only get better from here onwards. It seems implausible that Bosh can play any worse than he did and more so, screw up when it counts. He has to focus on using his athleticism and length and not forgetting his mid-range game, this is where he is most effective.
The two-time NBA MVP, LeBron James, remains the key individual – who is the only one that can make the Heat advance to the playoffs and may even make them win another NBA title. King James is not only a dominant force but he opens up his teammates; players such as Mario Chalmers and Shane Battier can optimise from a distance when some opponents are too preoccupied with James. Plus James has the agility and resistance of a six-year-old; he can play a full 48 minutes without even breaking much of a sweat.
Nevertheless, even with James’ heroics, he cannot win games alone and the dynamic three is seemingly coming to an end as Dwayne Wade and Bosh are becoming older and more inconsistent. It’s yet to be determined whether James will stay with the Heat for much longer; he can opt out of his contract and become a free agent after this season. A LeBron-less Miami is what James’ previous club, the Cleveland Cavaliers know too well with James there the Cavaliers finished the season 61-21. However, after James moved to Miami, Florida the Cavaliers plummeted to 19-63. But there is more fear ahead for the Heat if they minus guard Ray Allen who would likely retire as a Boston Celtic, times are starting to get tough for the Heat. But let’s not crush the Miami fans dreams, yet…
What will also play an integral part in Miami seeking their new goldenware is that this group has been together since the 2010/11 season. It has been successful during that period for the Heat since the season commenced. The players know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and have been through it all. They know how to play off each other and because of that, they are prepared for any challenge that comes their way. They are the most experienced team in the league, they have appeared in four finals and more so in the past three years (2011, 2012, 2013). They have seen it all and you may be able to overpower the Heat or exploit certain weaknesses but you are not going to outsmart them easily.
The Heat however would rather not talk about whether they can make a treble or not but would rather let their play do the talking.
“We live in the moment. We’re not thinking about the future right now. We’re not thinking about the past, you know. We’re living in this moment right here and it’s a sweet moment to live in,” Guard Dwayne Wade commented.
“You need to be confident,” Dwyane Wade said. “I think we all are confident. Everyone goes about it their own way. We are not the kind of the team or the kind of guys who talk about stuff. We just go do it.”
Indiana Pacers are the team to beat in the Eastern Conference, as they’re currently on top of the standings: the head-to-head matchups between the two could decide who tops the Eastern Conference standings and who will have home-court advantage for the playoffs.
However, the Heat aren’t focused too much on the Indiana Pacers but see every match as important, in order to get them to the playoffs.
“You’ve got to be professional,” Wade said. “You’ve got to respect every team in this league. Like I said, it won’t be pretty. People expect you to blow teams out and all this because of their records. It’s not about that, it’s about finding a way to win. That’s all we’ve got to do and that’s find a way to win, whether it’s the Indiana pacers or whether it’s Friday when the Sacramento Kings come in our home.”
During the last two consecutive NBA titles, the Heat have only lost three games in a row once and there have been only eight situations in which the Heat have dropped three games over a five-game stretch. Their comeback rate has been impressive throughout the three seasons as they are well known for coming back after a huge deficit or losing situation.
“We’ve just got to take care of our business and make sure that we’re doing what we’re supposed to do so we can give that one seed a shot at the end of the day.” said Chris Bosh.
This far in the 2013/2014 season, the Heat have lost seven and have won 22 of their games played since the 28th of December 2013.They are placed second in the Eastern Conference standings with the Pacers first a game ahead and Atlanta Hawks with six games behind coming in at third. With 53 games left, it will be interesting to see if the men from Miami, Florida will defend their NBA title. But one thing is for sure that they won’t give it up easily.