It’s finally here, the regular season that gives life meaning to so many.
O.K. That may be overstating it just a bit, but there’s cause for excitement this season, one that begins tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the AmericanAirlines Arena.
If you’ve been listening to our podcasts regularly – and you absolutely should be doing so, if for no other reason to weigh in on the debate of a lifetime…if a particular team is Cereal vs. Not Cereal – you know that my esteemed editor and I have been waffling as of late about the Heat. And with good reason. While fans are expected to blindly follow a team or player (how else would you explain Lakers devotees predicting a trip to the Finals for Kobe Bryant?), a little perspective is sometimes in order.
This team has questions surrounding it, gaping weaknesses and a new cast of players that are still looking for an identity that was obliterated this summer.
Heat fans have been spoiled, able to witness the career arc of Dwyane Wade through its many incarnations and then the formation of one of the greatest units in NBA history. This team will struggle and there’s no denying it. The ultimate safety net is stretched out over Cleveland and while Wade, Chris Bosh and Luol Deng form a nice tandem, they won’t always succeed as magnificently as Miami’s former “Big 3.”
And that’s o.k.
What we’re seeing this year is a team that still has to figure things out, that will have to crawl before it can run but has the potential to be really great. Take the time to appreciate the nuances of this team – Wade’s “old man game,” Bosh’s speed and versatility, Deng’s perimeter defense – and get a deeper appreciation of this team and the sport in general. You’ll be better served for it during those tough nights when losses that seemed impossible over the last four years might happen.
Every journey begins with a step; tonight, the Heat take on a Wizards team that has higher expectations but is still a mystery. They will be missing Bradley Beal to injury and Nenè and DeJuan Blair were suspended by the NBA due to a preseason altercation. But John Wall has become the steadying, explosive player that everyone hoped he would, Marcin Gortat was re-signed to provide muscle and scoring in the middle and Paul Pierce – longtime Heat nemesis – has joined the team to make one more title run.
With Beal and backups Martell Webster and Glen Rice, Jr. (G-Money the II) out, the Wiz will likely start Garrett Temple. Clearly, this is a downgrade but that just means the bulk of the scoring will fall on Wall, Gortat and Pierce, all of which are capable of 20+ points. The Master of the Midrange, Drew Gooden, will start in place of Nenè, while Andre Miller, Otto Porter and Kris Humphries are key substitutions.
Tonight we’ll probably be a low-scoring affair, what with Washington’s depleted lineup and Miami still missing key offensive cog, Josh McRoberts. Otherwise, expect much of what we saw this preseason; Norris Cole will start, Wade can still be explosive, and Bosh can do it all. Luol Deng and Shawne Williams (starting in McRoberts’ place) have been inconsistent but, if they’re on, could be very dangerous. Mario Chalmers is the 6th man for Miami, while Shabazz Napier, Chris Andersen and Danny Granger will probably round out the rotation. If coach Erik Spoelstra goes any deeper, that could be a clue as to who will see reduced time once Josh starts to play.
The game can be seen on Sun Sports and via NBA League Pass (part of 12 games going on tonight – life is good). Check back with a recap, player grades and analysis at All U Can Heat.