Miami Heat RTD: What We Are Excited For This Season

Apr 11, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) dribbles the ball as Toronto Raptors forward Tyler Hansbrough (50) applies pressure during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Passing the Crown

By Ehsan Kassim (@Ehsan_Kassim)

Dwyane Wade has been the man in Miami since he was drafted to the team in 2003. Since the time he took his first dribble and then eventually led the Heat to a playoff series win in the first round of 2004, it’s been his city. Even Shaquille O’Neal recognized the potential star in D-Wade upon his arrival to Miami. Wade led the Heat to their first championship in 2006 and then two more, as he paired with LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

As they say, all good things have to eventually end.  This season could be the beginning of the end of the era of where Wade is a top one or two option in Miami.

In 2015-2016, the Heat starting lineup will feature three guys in Chris Bosh, Goran Dragic, and Hassan Whiteside, who should take more importance in the Heat pecking order, if they want to catch the Cleveland Cavs. For the future, Justise Winslow likely holds more value to the Heat than Wade does.

So the upcoming season should be a changing of the guard of sorts. With Wade expected to miss 15-20 games every year due to ailments and injuries, the other players become of more importance.

Goran should take away much of the ball handling from D-Wade, as he is the best pure point guard Wade may have a chance to play with in his career.

Whiteside should be more featured in the Heat offense, as he figures out what he can do. He has all the tools and the ability to be an unstoppable force inside, if he stays out of his own way.

Justise Winslow is a top five talent from the 2015 draft that somehow fell into the Heat’s lap. He actually reminds me a lot of a younger D-Wade, in his defensive prowess and slashing abilities. He should learn a lot behind Wade and Luol Deng this season, and potentially be a secret weapon come playoff time.

And we all know what Bosh offers with his versatility, outside shooting, and excellent defense.

I always imagined that the Heat transitioning on from Wade, a guy I’ve watched most of my NBA viewing career, would spell the end of my interest in the NBA. Instead, because of a lot of fortune and Riley’s shrewd moves, the transition from Wade being the star in Miami may be a smooth one.

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