NBA Power Rankings: How Real Are The Miami Heat?

In this week’s edition of the NBA Power Rankings, we debate how good the Miami Heat, who currently lead the Eastern Conference, really are

17 months removed from LeBron James‘ decision to return to the state of Cleveland to play basketball, I don’t think anyone would’ve guessed that the Miami Heat would recover this quickly. While it’s pointless and pretty reactionary, the fact of the matter is the Heat currently have the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Let that sink in.

The Miami Heat, one year after LeBron James decided to return to his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, are setting the pace for the East. In an improved East, from last season, too. That should be noted. This isn’t a watered down conference anymore, and the Heat have the best record.

And while you can say that their 13 home games, in which they’ve won 10 of them, has a huge say in why they’re currently 12-6, the statistics, compared to the rest of the leagues, indicates something else.

The Heat have the NBA’s second-best defense and the 13th best offense. At certain points this season, they’ve been ranked top 10 in both categories. The scariest part about the Heat, however, is that they’re just beginning to learn how to play with each other, and Goran Dragic, who had begun the season in a slump, is finally beginning to turn the corner.

To say that the Miami Heat are solid might be a mistake. They might actually, as deep as they are on good nights, have enough to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in a playoff series. Considering everything that happened last summer, that’s insane.

In any case, here are these week’s NBA Power Rankings.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers