Fansided

Miami Heat being overlooked?

By Andrew Melnick

May 20, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) and guard Dwayne Wade (3) walk off the floor after defeating the Indiana Pacers in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Miami defeats Indiana 87-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) and guard Dwayne Wade (3) walk off the floor after defeating the Indiana Pacers in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Miami defeats Indiana 87-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Miami Heat were hoping to have their big three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh opt out and then take advantage of free agency to get a couple of pieces to put the Heat back on top. They quickly picked up commitments from Charlotte Hornets’ forward Josh McRoberts and Los Angeles Clippers’ forward Danny Granger but lost James to the Cleveland Cavaliers. It looked like the Heat could opt to rebuild but instead they re-signed Bosh and Wade and signed Cleveland Cavaliers’ forward Luol Deng to replace James.

More from LeBron James

Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders believes the Heat are being overlook.

"I do think the Heat are being overlooked a bit. I’m curious to see how this team does next season. Chris Bosh will obviously have to step up and take on a bigger offensive load. Dwyane Wade’s health is a big question mark too – will he be the All-Star we know or the part-time player from last year? Miami could be better than expected, even though they lost LeBron James. I definitely think they’ll make the playoffs, I’m just not sure how far they’ll go. I think they’re a notch below the East’s contenders. They’re pretty solid, as you said, but there’s no question they’re going to miss LeBron."

The Heat aren’t necessarily being overlooked, most just don’t believe they can be a championship contender any more.

Bosh averaged 16.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 51.6% from the field, 33.9% from three and 82.0% from the free trow line. Wade went for 19.0 points, 4.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 54.5% from the field, 28.1% from three and 73.3% from the free throw line.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.