According to numerous sources, the Miami Heat have made their decision on what cuts to make in order to get their roster down to the NBA-mandated number of 15, and those final two cuts are Patrick Beverley and Da’Sean Butler.
Many fans have speculated on who would get the boot, and some fans were adamant they didn’t want one of them to be Da’Sean Butler because of his potential. They’ve made the claim he would have been a certain lottery pick in this past year’s NBA Draft if not for being injured during the middle of the year.
This is probably true, but is irrelevant in my view. Yes, if the Heat had kept him on the roster, they almost assuredly could have gotten by without any production from his spot until he was ready, but there’s a chance such a move might have cost Miami a game or two during the regular season; no one knows.
As loaded as the Heat are with talent, I’m of the opinion they simply can’t take anything for granted, and must utilize every ounce of their talent to try and win every game. Every team in the NBA will be gunning for them, and will be bringing their “A” game when they face the Heat.
Usually such stuff is only reserved for the defending champs, but Miami is in an unusual position of being one of the greatest teams the NBA has ever seen before they even lace up to play one meaningful game. That gives other teams motivation to try and beat Miami night in and night out.
I would have loved it if there was a way the Heat could have retained the talent of Da’Sean Butler, and even that of Beverley. Both are tremendous players, although I believe Patrick is far more raw than Da’Sean is. Miami fans can only hope Riley can convince these players to continue to work on their games when they’re able, overseas or in the developmental league, and possibly try and join the team next year.
However, other teams are certain to possibly take a look at both of them, so the Heat may have lost them forever.
The good news is we now know exactly what our roster will look like, and taking a look at it, I can’t help but still believe Miami is going to be beating the crap out of its opponents all year long.
Here’s the roster right now:
PG – Mario Chalmers, Carlos Arroyo
SG – Dwyane Wade, Eddie House, Mike Miller (injured)
SF – LeBron James, James Jones, Jerry Stackhouse
PF – Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem, Juwan Howard
CT – Joel Anthony, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Jamaal Magloire, Dexter Pittman
They can start that process tomorrow night against the vaunted Boston Celtics, who I believe they’ll decimate just to send a message to the rest of the association.
Game On!