Comparing the Warriors to the Southeast Division
By Mike Dill
Jun 20, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (left) and LeBron James (right) celebrate after game seven in the 2013 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena. Miami defeated the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 to win the NBA Championship. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Heat
Prediction: 1-1
Let’s get this one out of the way first. The Heat have been the best team in the league for the past two seasons, and it seems as though that trend will continue. LeBron James seems to find ways to get better every offseason – the man doesn’t seem to have a peak.
The only real position of weakness for the Heat is center. Players like Roy Hibbert have given the Heat plenty of trouble in the past and they had no way to slow big men down. Now, the Heat have added Greg Oden into the mix. The problem for him has always been his health, so there are still plenty of question marks surrounding him as the season draws near.
However, if the Oden signing works out for the Heat, they will be in a great position to win their third straight championship. He really doesn’t need to play all that much; he can sit unless a center is giving the team trouble. Oden can be an offensive force, but the Heat are good enough that he can expend all of his energy on defense and rebounding.
The Warriors definitely have the talent to beat the Heat, but actually beating them will take more than just talent. Andrew Bogut will have to be at his best, or else LeBron will be able to waltz into the paint at will. The addition of Andre Iguodala will help limit James, but he is a player that can never be truly contained.
Still, the Warriors were able to beat the Heat once last year – in spectacular fashion, too. They have only gotten better since then, so another win isn’t too crazy of a prediction.