NBA Preview 2013-2014 season: Miami Heat

Dwyane Wade #3, LeBron James #6, Chris Bosh #1 and Norris Cole #30 of the Miami Heat celebrate after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 to win Game Seven of the 2013 NBA Finals at AmericanAirlines Arena on June 20, 2013 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Last Season: 66-16 (Finished 1^st in the Eastern Conference- Eventual 2013 NBA Champions)

Prediction: 65-15

Key Losses: SF/SG Mike Miller

Notable Free Agent Signings: C Greg Oden and C Chris Andersen (re-signed by Miami)

It’s hard winning 60-plus games a season, no matter how talented a team is. However, with chemistry that has gotten better and better since the arrival of LeBron James and Chris Bosh in 2011, it’s hard imagining the Heat doing anything but that.

The Heat haven’t had a busy off-season; but as league champions, it’s clear they don’t need too much tweaking with their roster. They did lose key swingman Mike Miller, an integral part of the past two championship teams, but the presence of Ray Allen and the emerging Norris Cole should compensate for the lost perimeter shooting.

I do like the re-signing of Chris “Birdman” Andersen. Andersen has had a curious and somewhat amusing NBA career. The Birdman was banned from the NBA for an entire season while playing for the former New Orleans Hornets after he tested positive for a substance that was never released by league officials.

While we’ll never know what drug was so awful that the NBA was too afraid to name, we do know what Andersen brings to a team. A tremendous hustler, the Birdman can ignite crowds with his tenacious defence and rim protection. An elite shot-blocker, fans love watching Andersen’s trademark “wing flap” after a particularly exhilarating play.

Andersen was a fan favourite during his stint with the Denver Nuggets, but he fell out of favour with coach George Karl and was relegated to the end of the bench. After being waived by the Nuggets in 2012, Andersen signed with the Heat and made an immediate defensive impact. Miami went 37-3 during the regular season in games that Andersen played in.

He also impressed Heat officials with his play during the playoffs, posting an 80% FG mark, the highest ever in the NBA playoffs. His signing will make the fans happy and provide a solid back up at the center position.

With the Greg Oden signing, the Heat aren’t quite sure what they’ll get. The former number one overall pick has gone through three micro fracture knee surgeries and hasn’t played in an NBA game since 2009. While playing in every game of the season seems like a stretch for the Ohio State standout, if Oden can remain healthy (somewhat), his skill set could be invaluable for the NBA champs.

A magnificent rim protector, Oden will benefit the league’s fifth best defence and boost the league’s worst rebounding team. He’s a smart player who plays within his range (career 57% FG shooter) and is a smart defender. For $2 million over two years, Oden is worth the gamble and the cheap contract.

Besides the resigning of Chris Andersen and the signing of Greg Oden, let’s not forget that the Heat still retain their core of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. James has only improved since taking his talents to South Beach, and is by far the best all-around player in the league. While Wade has fallen off a bit and was rather ineffective this postseason, the former NBA Finals MVP is still a dangerous shooter and a strong finisher around the rim.

Ray Allen will also wear a Heat jersey at the beginning of the season and that can only mean good things for Miami. The best three-point shooter to ever play the game saved the Heat from losing the NBA Finals last season, and is still the best shooter in the league. His contribution off the bench will be invaluable, as he will undoubtedly keep defences honest.

Will the Heat three-peat? There’s certainly a good chance of that happening, but it isn’t written in stone yet. They’ll be amongst the best teams in the league and a joy to watch.