Miami Heat 2016 speculation.

[DoctorP]

I think the Heat may attempt to try to play similar to what the Magic had going with Dwight Howard when they made the finals, except a bit more up-tempo.

My attempt at a speculative playing time rotation sans Bosh...

C - Whiteside / Reed
PF- Winslow / Babbitt / Williams
SF- Richardson / Babbitt / Johnson
SG - Johnson / Waiters / Ellington
PG - Dragic / Weber

Uptempo, using Whiteside as a defensive anchor and surrounding him with shooters. As for subbing, you can put in Babbit for more shooting and Williams/Johnson for a little defense/athleticism (still small-ball) up front with the speed game. It will be a versatile team with Rich also playing PG and a lot of tweeners at the 3 and 4s. Hopefully Winslow has been shooting nonstop this summer to get his J right. McRoberts familiarity w the system and versatility is a variable for playing time. Weber will be a defensive specialist at the 1.

[Velocirap31]

Lottery.

[DoctorP]

Lottery.

It's def possible if the young players do not pan out.

[GrapeApe]

The main thing I'm looking for this season is the development of the young guys, Whiteside included even thoughs he's technically not that young. I think their strategies and playing style will evolve throughout the season based on what those guys do.

I'd like to see them push the pace as much as possible. Give Dragic the keys and let him run the show. In the half court it's all about Whiteside. He needs to touch the ball on nearly every half court possession. Hopefully he and Dragic can develop some chemistry in PnR's.

Bosh is obviously the wild card. If he plays, the Heat should contend for a playoff spot. As of right now it's easier to go under the assumption that he won't play.

[alanLA92]

Lottery.

Prob. But I can see them making the playoffs if the young players go in the right direction of their growth. Definitely in the playoff hunt if Bosh can play for a good amount of the season.

[Fire Colangelo]

Prob. But I can see them making the playoffs if the young players go in the right direction of their growth. Definitely in the playoff hunt if Bosh can play for a good amount of the season.

I just don't see it, even if Chris Bosh comes back.

The Heat are barely a 0.500 team with Chris Bosh playing during the last two seasons. I just don't see them becoming better without a 20/5/5 caliber player in D-Wade. If Chris Bosh doesn't coming back, you're basically banking on Whiteside to lead a group of young guys to the playoffs with almost zero veteran presence.

Not to mention the handful of teams in the East that loaded their roster this off season and are looking to make a playoff push:

Cavs
Raptors
Celtics
Pacers
Hawks

^ are pretty much locks to make the playoffs.

Then you have a couple of uncertain/young teams on the outside looking in:

Pistons
Wizards
Bucks
Magic
Knicks
Hornets

^ All have a good chance of taking the last 3 seeds if everything goes well.

Maybe I'm underestimating Miami, but it's just hard for me to imagine it.

[Meticode]

Winslow isn't playing PF. If you're listing Joe Johnson at SG he's not with the team anymore. Their starting SG is going to be Richardson or Waiters.

[G-train]

Winslow isn't playing PF. If you're listing Joe Johnson at SG he's not with the team anymore. Their starting SG is going to be Richardson or Waiters.

Tyler Johnson.

[G-train]

I just don't see it, even if Chris Bosh comes back.

The Heat are barely a 0.500 team with Chris Bosh playing during the last two seasons. I just don't see them becoming better without a 20/5/5 caliber player in D-Wade. If Chris Bosh doesn't coming back, you're basically banking on Whiteside to lead a group of young guys to the playoffs with almost zero veteran presence.

Not to mention the handful of teams in the East that loaded their roster this off season and are looking to make a playoff push:

Cavs
Raptors
Celtics
Pacers
Hawks

^ are pretty much locks to make the playoffs.

Then you have a couple of uncertain/young teams on the outside looking in:

Pistons
Wizards
Bucks
Magic
Knicks
Hornets

^ All have a good chance of taking the last 3 seeds if everything goes well.

Maybe I'm underestimating Miami, but it's just hard for me to imagine it.

How is Atlanta a lock?
and from another thread:

I watched most of the games, and for example, the players were very disjointed most of last season, and IMO it was due to Wade.
It's easy to look at his numbers and his post season, and quickly forget how horrible he was most of the season. He was a huge ball stopper, a defensive liability, and generally thought he was still a megastar. His advanced metrics were WOEFUL.

This season, there will be a faster pace, and more ball movement. Dragic will be able to play naturally, and there will be more minutes and opportunity for the likes of Winslow, Tyler Johnson, Josh Richardson, and even Whiteside.
James Johnson will be solid role player, and I hope Waiters and Derrick Williams hardly play, but if they do, learn to play properly within the team concept.

A healthy Bosh will be cherry on sundae, if he can play at a faster pace and not hold the ball for 8 seconds jab stepping and shooting 18 footers. Between him and Wade the ball was completely dead.

I think they will win 45 games. 3 less than last season, but they will be better on both ends, players will continue to develop, and they won't need to rely on 1 guy to win a playoff series.

[Meticode]

Tyler Johnson.

Nah, he's going to be back up again. It's going to be Richardson or Waiters starting at SG.

[G-train]

Nah, he's going to be back up again. It's going to be Richardson or Waiters starting at SG.

It's not Joe, it's Tyler is what I am saying.

I don't know who will start, training camp will decide. Could be Tyler.

[Papaya Petee]

How is Atlanta a lock?
and from another thread:

I can't quote what you quoted saying previously but youre delusional if you believe what you're saying.

Wade won Miami at least 8-10 games last season on production in the 4th quarter and being able to take over down the stretch and make huge shots. Same in the playoffs in game 5 vs Charlotte and all 3 Miami wins versus Toronto. Single handidly kept them in the game in the game 3 loss vs Toronto.

Miami looked like a chicken with its head cut off every game down the stretch unless Wade had the ball in his hands. He was also far from a defensive liability.

Goran Dragic is a disaster. Aside from fast breaks hes horrendous in the half court. Can't break down defenses and cannot beat his player off the dribble to save his life. Decent jumpshooter not worth the contract.
Whiteside is in no way/shape/form offensively on a level to carry an offense yet. Hes arguably the worst passer in the league and refuses to pass out of the post. He was spoonfed buckets by Wade all last season. Not to mention he can't guard skilled big men 1v1. He needs another 2 seasons to develop offensively. At least.

Unless Bosh plays and produces at Toronto Bosh level, this team will not be capable to hang with most teams offensively. Youre banking on Dragic and Whiteside to carry an offense surrounded by young developing 2nd year players. Winslow will probably still be a shade under 10ppg with great defense, and I assume Josh Richardson and T-Johnson will be around 7-11 PPG themselves. Dion Waiters and Derrick Williams are horrendous, and Udonis can't play at a decent level anymore.
Best bet is hope Bosh doesn't play till February so they can release his contract, try to trade Dragic for youth/picks, let our young players develop, and tank for draft picks. This team (unless Bosh plays great if he plays, and the youth all have great seasons) won't sniff 40 wins, never mind 45, get real my friend.

[Fire Colangelo]

How is Atlanta a lock?
and from another thread:

They have a pretty legit team.

Millsap and Dwight are going to be a pretty legit front court - especially defensively.

[Spurs m8]

Miami ****ed

Yep

[Human Error]

Nah, he's going to be back up again. It's going to be Richardson or Waiters starting at SG.

They paid Tyler Johnson $50M to be a back up? No way.

And not having Wade is a blessing in disguise. There will be faster paced basketball with better outside shooting, better distribution and better defense. The best part is the team PAID Whiteside, and Spoelstra will have to play Whiteside now. A retard in Spo still would prefer to start Haslem over Whiteside, but a new contract of Whiteside won't allow Spo to do it.