What's the best early season scenario for a Heat downfall?

[footey]

I think if Wade gets mad at Lebron for hogging the ball, he will become passive. I don't see those two meshing. This is not Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, whose skills sets are complementary. Wade and LBJ are somewhat redundant. LBJ is a bigger, stronger, younger version of Wade.

[More Banners]

This is a great thread.  TP for you.

If anyone thinks an ego-driven chemistry problem will plague Miami, let me remind you that a certain Pat Riley is the one and only alpha dog down there.  I'm pretty sure Pat would gladly throw on his ring collection (6?) and go down there and smack around anyone on that roster.

The downfall of the Heat will be the supporting cast.  They'll find that 3 on 5 and then 0 on 5 for the bench isn't a winning formula.  Ilgauskas can't log heavy minutes, and Magloire hardly played last year.  A Bosh/Haslem frontline is okay, but not exactly a force.

Eddie house goes cold and becomes an even greater defensive liability.  Ditto for Stack.  Miller comes back in January, but has work himself back into shape and timing-wise, and isn't 100% until, say, right about playoff time.

They end up with a lower seed than they planned, as Orlando takes the Division and #2 seed, and the East standings finish:

Boston
Orlando
Charlotte
Chicago (division winner)
Miami
Atlanta
Milwaukee
Team X

And they don't have HCF, but could have to go through a tough Chicago team in the first round, and perhaps Atlanta or Charlotte in the second.  Lengthy playoff series takes its toll on the aging bigs, and the Big Three-Way has to play 40 minutes/night.  Eventually, they crumble and, once again, vow to build a better supporting cast, which each of them has heard before...

[Evantime34]

I think if Wade gets mad at Lebron for hogging the ball, he will become passive. I don't see those two meshing. This is not Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, whose skills sets are complementary. Wade and LBJ are somewhat redundant. LBJ is a bigger, stronger, younger version of Wade.

Wade is much faster. In the half court this absolutely true. However if they get out on the break they both have elite speed and ball handling ability that does compliment each other.

[fairweatherfan]

I think if Wade gets mad at Lebron for hogging the ball, he will become passive. I don't see those two meshing. This is not Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, whose skills sets are complementary. Wade and LBJ are somewhat redundant. LBJ is a bigger, stronger, younger version of Wade.

The way they played in the All-Star game last year didn't speak well for their ability to play together - they were practically wrestling each other for the ball down the stretch.  On the other hand, it was just the All-Star game. 

[Jon Niednagel]

I hope they do everything right, remain healthy, and still fail (in epic fashion). 

[Who]

If Wade and LeBron were one dimensional scorers they wouldn't complement one another ... but these are two of the most well rounded players in the league today.

They are going to be absolutely brilliant alongside one another.

[Neurotic Guy]

One thing I keep telling myself is -- this team has done nothing so far.   I am much more invested in a downfall scenario involving that team on the left coast.  In fact, at present I am more concerned about Dwight Howards's Magic.   I even fear the Bulls more than the Heat at present as they have added pieces to an already interesting team.  It's not that I think Miami won't be good.  I just think that team development takes time.  The 07-08 C's were an anomoly -- it will take time for this group of still young players to come together and play their best.  They'll be great at some point, but right now, they are 3rd or 4th on my list of hoped for downfalls. 

[Birdbrain]

I suspect they will have some problems periodically with whomever handles the ball in the crunch time.  If they are looking to win most of their games they should let Wade handle it but, I suspect that will be issue from time to time especially if they lose some close games.  If either Wade or LJ get hurt they are bottom of the pack Eastern Conference playoff team.  If they remain relatively healthy they will probably win somewhere around 65 games.

I hope they do remain healthy and the C's meet them in ECF after dispatching Orlando in the 2nd round.

Maybe they can say both Wade and LJ quit this time.

Go C's.

[Fafnir]

I suspect they will have some problems periodically with whomever handles the ball in the crunch time.  If they are looking to win most of their games they should let Wade handle it but, I suspect that will be issue from time to time especially if they lose some close games. 

I think this definitely could be the case early on. LeBron is the superior crunch time scorer over his career, but neither is a bad option, so its not going to cost them that many games. Especially since good teams don't let it come down to crunch time all too often.

If either Wade or LJ get hurt they are bottom of the pack Eastern Conference playoff team.  If they remain relatively healthy they will probably win somewhere around 65 games.

I'm not sure this is true, Wade and the old Heat were a 5 seed. Adding Bosh to either would still be in the upper half team though probably not a contender in the playoffs.

[JBcat]

I'm thinking not on the offensive side of the ball but defensively especially on the inside and then the PG spot.   It would be great for us if they prove to be too soft inside and none of their PGs can guard a lick making Wade guard PGs often then Lebron having to guard the best wing player.