Do you see Miami making it a three-peat next season?

[CelticSooner]

Too early to ask this question I know but something tells me they won't get another one next year. It took everything they had to beat SA. The East should be much better next year and you throw in mental/physical fatigue it's going to be tough. They'll need to rest their 3 all-stars quite a bit which could cost them HCA which was huge tonight.

[lightspeed5]

bosh- $19 million. 0 pts 5 fouls in game 7.

wade's knees have been bothering him all year.

I'd bet wade deteriorates yet again, and bosh continues to be a no-show.

Knicks can continue to trouble the heat. If the Celtics can flip the vets for young talent, we can give them problems. I can see the bulls giving them trouble as well. tough defense on a 32 year old wade should be enough to completely stop him, and bosh cant take physicality.

and the west will have OKC, golden state...

[SparzWizard]

Just follow the Lakers scenario.

07-08 Lakers lost to Boston in 6 games
08-09 Lakers easily bypass Orlando in 5 games
09-10 Lakers narrowly escaped a dogfight against Boston in 7 games.

Next three seasons, they get bounced in the second round and get swept.

10-11 Miami lost to Dallas in 6 games
11-12 Miami destroyed the OKC Thunder in 5 games
12-13 Miami narrowly escaped a dogfight against San Antonio in 7 games.

Miami will get swept in the second round next season 

[PhoSita]

There will be some teams who can maybe give them a run for their money.  The Thunder, depending on how their lottery pick player turns out, and whether or not Jeremy Lamb can be a useful role player for them next season.  They have some moves to make, and Westbrook obviously needs to come back 100%, but they can still challenge, especially if Wade remains gimpy.

The Bulls could still have a really good playoff run if Rose comes back healthy and ready to go.  But it's been over a year for him now.  We'll see.

The Pacers could maybe upset them if they get lucky, have some good off-season additions, and Paul George takes another step up the ladder towards stardom.

The Grizzlies could have an outside shot at it again with the right moves.

The Clippers, if they actually end up getting Garnett and Pierce and maybe some other nice moves, and then come together in just the right way, could make a run to a title.


Still, the Heat have LeBron, and that's enough to make them heavy favorites again next year.

[D.o.s.]

Possibly. I think the Knicks, Pacers, and Bulls could beat them in the East if the stars align and it doesn't go to Seven.

[eugen]

NBA champion is the team who play best basketball during May-June season.I do not think HEAT are the best NBA team, but everythink is possible.

[CelticConcourse]

As long as the Celtics remain an NBA franchise next season, no.

[Surferdad]

Yes very possible.  Bulls can only challenge if Rose comes back 100%. Indy and OKC have the best shot to mock them off but as long as LBJ is healthy, Miami has the edge. NYK have lots of talent but I don't see them or anyone else in the East challenging.

[eugen]

Yes very possible.  Bulls can only challenge if Rose comes back 100%. Indy and OKC have the best shot to mock them off but as long as LBJ is healthy, Miami has the edge. NYK have lots of talent but I don't see them or anyone else in the East challenging.

If Lebron or Wade will be injured for rest of season, things wil be very diferent.

[blink]

If the heat are healthy, they have to be big favorites.  I honestly don't see anyone from the east beating them.  Only OKC / Spurs would have a chance.  Spurs a year older...probably not happening.

Hard to know how hungry they come back next year after two titles in a row.  It takes a lot to win multiple championships in a row. 

[CelticsFanNC]

They'll be favored but if they don't get a more reliable BIG then Bosh I don't see them getting out of the East. Chicago and Indiana should only get better and their size attacks Miamis big weakness. 

[eugen]

They'll be favored but if they don't get a more reliable BIG then Bosh I don't see them getting out of the East. Chicago and Indiana should only get better and their size attacks Miamis big weakness.

If Indiana will keep the same roster and will sign a great PG like CP3, Indiana can  beat HEAT for sure. Indys almost beat HEAT. Maybe and Chicago can be better next season and Brooklyn if they fire Kidd and get a great coach

[aporel#18]

They'll be the favorites, like the Fakers in 2010-2011, and that storyline could help them, but it's about darn time another team beats them. Three-peating requires high doses of health, luck, and when you aren't a dominating team, calls.

Everything will balance out, they're due for some tough luck and Wade looked older than Ginobili in the Finals.

As long as the Celtics are not in the playoffs, I couldn't care less about the cHeat.

[CelticConcourse]

They'll be favored but if they don't get a more reliable BIG then Bosh I don't see them getting out of the East. Chicago and Indiana should only get better and their size attacks Miamis big weakness.

If Indiana will keep the same roster and will sign a great PG like CP3, Indiana can  beat HEAT for sure. Indys almost beat HEAT. Maybe and Chicago can be better next season and Brooklyn if they fire Kidd and get a great coach

Salary cap, meet eugen.
Eugen, meet salary cap.

[eugen]

They'll be favored but if they don't get a more reliable BIG then Bosh I don't see them getting out of the East. Chicago and Indiana should only get better and their size attacks Miamis big weakness.

If Indiana will keep the same roster and will sign a great PG like CP3, Indiana can  beat HEAT for sure. Indys almost beat HEAT. Maybe and Chicago can be better next season and Brooklyn if they fire Kidd and get a great coach

Salary cap, meet eugen.
Eugen, meet salary cap.

Yes salary cap. Indys are gona trade Granger.