NBA Playoffs Game 5 Review: After Loss to Spurs, What's Next for the Miami Heat?
It was an embarrassing Finals for the Miami Heat. They were ousted by the San Antonio Spurs in five games and didn't put up much of an effort in most of those contests.
The biggest question that remains surrounds four-time MVP LeBron James. James has a player option in his contract for this summer that contains a $20.5 million pickup. For most people this is a no-brainer, but for James he may want to leave because this team will never be as good as it is now.
Dwyane Wade doesn't appear to be the top-level player he once was and will be turning 33 years old next season. Wade and James are very good friends, but will James want to stay in Miami just to carry Wade and his injured body? Chris Bosh has the same exact choice to make as James. He too has a player option with a $20.5 million pickup if he wants to stay in Miami. Bosh and James are both young, have plenty of miles left, and they also work very well together. The only game the Heat won in the Finals was Game 2, when James passed to Bosh for a game-winning 3-pointer.
Is there a chance that both Bosh and James will leave together for a new team?
Pat Riley has been known to work his magic before. He will try to convince Bosh and James to stay because they both love South Beach. As bad as this finals defeat was, where else can James go to get a better supporting cast around him? James can also stay this upcoming season, and he still has a player option for next year.
There have also been rumors surrounding Carmelo Anthony and the Miami Heat. The odds are Anthony isn't going to win a championship while in New York. The Knicks are constantly rebuilding and always have management issues, so joining the Chicago Bulls or Heat would be a huge upgrade for a chance to win a championship.
James said before the Finals that the outcome would not have an impact on his decision. However, nobody (especially James) thought it would be over in five games. When asked after the Game 5 defeat, James just said he would think about the decision this summer with little certainty in his answer.
Outside of the big three, the Heat also have some older players to keep an eye on. Rashard Lewis played great in this postseason, but he's turning 35 in two months. Ray Allen is the greatest 3-point shooter in basketball history, and he's turning 39 next month. Longtime Heat center Udonis Haslem will be 35 next season, and the Heat already lack size.
It's going to be a very interesting offseason for the Heat. So many great veteran players have decisions to make that will determine the outcome of the future.
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