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Miami Heat 1-on-1: How will James’ departure affect the Eastern Conference?

By Lauren Gewirtz

The Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade (3) and the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James hug after the Heat defeated the Cavs, 98-79, at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade (3) and the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James hug after the Heat defeated the Cavs, 98-79, at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – APRIL 11: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles into the lane against Rodney McGruder #17 of the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on April 11, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – APRIL 11: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles into the lane against Rodney McGruder #17 of the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on April 11, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

And how do you see Miami stacking up against the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors?

Gewirtz: These two teams will be the biggest challenge for the Heat.

The Celtics have Gordon Hayward returning after losing him in the first game of the season last year, so that will change their game. After finishing No. 1 in the conference, the Raptors still could not find a way to beat James and the Cavaliers, so now might be their chance to at least make it to the Conference Finals.

It is going to take some time for Heat to re-find their groove as a team, but there is an opportunity to actually compete against these two teams.

The downside is that in order for Heat to do so, everything has to go near perfect with the players they are working with now – something that is not ever going to be guaranteed. 

Mora: If the Raptors stay with their same roster, then the Heat are below both the Raptors and Celtics.

The Heat, in my opinion, are a good team, but not at the highest level just yet. If I would rank the East, it would definitely start with Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto, Indiana, and then Miami. Which isn’t bad considering they were flirting with the seven and eight seed last season.  They weren’t a lock for the sixth until the very last game. So for them to follow up with a fifth seed, maybe even a fourth seed is a step in the right direction.

Like I said, I don’t think getting to the playoffs is the hard part, it’s staying in that’s the struggle.

As the Heat currently stand, that’s a realistic target for next year. If they somehow manage to make one or two more moves in free agency before next season, then it can all quickly change. It all depends on the direction president Pat Riley and owner Mickey Arison want to take the team. By the looks of it, they might stand pat with their young roster and hope their development comes quicker than expected.

Next: Miami Heat: 3 reasons to make a Kevin Love trade

The East may miss you, LeBron James. But you probably did the Miami Heat a favor.

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