Dec 19, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (right) talks with center Hassan Whiteside (left) after Whiteside committed a foul during the second half against the Washington Wizards at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
9. Miami Heat
Key Additions: Amar’e Stoudemire, Justise Winslow, Gerald Green
If this were NBA 2k, the Miami Heat would probably be a lot higher on this list. Considering that it’s not, and that there’s no way to turn injuries “off,” I really don’t see many scenarios in which the Miami Heat come away with the 2015-16 NBA Championship.
But let’s say that it is possible…
Of course, in this perfect scenario, they’re going to need health. Above anything else, the Heat need Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic to remain healthy. Speaking of Dragic, they’re also going to need their newly signed point guard to play close to all-star level, especially with the expected continued drop in Wade’s production.
Bosh needs to play at an MVP level, as he was doing at the beginning of last season, and their bench, who added Gerald Green, Justise Winslow and Amar’e Stoudemire, amongst others, needs to be much-improved.
The Heat have a really good roster on paper, but until they prove that they can remain healthy, and play consistent defense, the Heat winning the championship remains a pipe dream.
Next: Atlanta Hawks