Some people said we weren't contenders when we were still in playoffs. We were a contender this year and we will be a contender next year.
The NBA needs to seed teams 1-16. Miami would've been exposed in round 2 just as the two time defending champ Lakers were exposed against Dallas in 2010.
I think the Blazers have as good a shot at the WCF as the other contenders for the WCF, except for the Spurs. Until we at least have a puncher's chance at beating the Spurs in a playoff series, we aren't true contenders for an NBA championship, IMO. By that measure, neither are the Heat!
I guess it all depends upon your definition of "contender". The Blazers finished tied for the 5th best record in the league. They beat Houston, who was also tied for the 5th best record in the league. They had the same record as Miami that made it to the finals and had an inflated records being located in a weak conference. Out of 30 teams in the league, I certainly like those numbers. I think because the Blazers are in a loaded Western conference, our road to the championship was much tougher than Miami's. But if you look at this year and consider Miami a contender, then I say you have to call the Blazers a contender also. Next year? Absolutely contenders!
Portland had a ridiculously healthy season. Miami rested guys all year FOR THE PLAYOFFS. Portland was lucky to beat the Rockets. We got a last second fade away 30 footer. We were behind every game by 10+. That being said, The Rockets would have been lucky to beat us too. Some teams play for the regular season and some play for the playoffs. Comparing how Portland and Miami played during the regular season is definitely apples to oranges. Saying anything about next year is completely foolish. Then again, I assume you made those same statements after we got the first pick in 2007. Or maybe you don't think defense is important in the playoffs, and that's why you believe e are "absolutely contenders"
There are several teams so poorly constructed that even LeBron can't make them more of a contender than the Blazers. That said, where do you think he'll potentially end up?
That is because we had 0 shot at making the NBA finals unless several tragic accidents happened to the Spurs and Thunder
Look all three of Miami's big three are smart. Chalmers will be gone they will add Kyle Lowry and convince a few solid vets to take the minimum.
Bosh is basically Robert Horry and Wade is a Dallas series Brandon Roy. If I'm LeBron I jump ship. Try to get a big name free agent like Melo to go to Cleveland with him for 1 season. Melo would sign a max two year deal with opt out next summer. That gives NY a chance to tank for a season and form a big 3 with Melo and cap room next summer. Lebron would be happy with $2.5 mil room exception if he had the right teammates as his endorsements dwarf his NBA salary. The Cavs would have Kyrie, Lebron, Embiid, Melo, Tristian, Varejao, Zeller, Waiters, Bennett, Jack, and assets from sign and trading away Deng and Hawes. If Lebron can't convince Melo to come with him then replace him with Pau Gasol or another quality free agent. That Cleveland roster is way better than anything the Heat can put together even if they get Melo.
The Oden and Beasily signings were both disasters. Miami also filed out their entire roster with veterans on the wrong side of 30. They don't have draft picks or assets to add anything this off-season, maybe one exception player and everything else will have to be minimum salary deals. They are now paying the price for 4 years of title runs ignoring the development of young talent. Years of no draft picks. We saw the same thing starting with the Lakers three years ago and it'll take the Lakers more years to recover. Miami is in a similar bind. They don't have any quality players on underpaid rookie contracts. But the biggest problem is Wade and Bosh being poor options as max salary players. LeBron is freaking amazing to carry this team back to the finals this season. If you put him on any playoff team I think they would've made the finals though.
If James was happy signing for very little money to win, I think his best option would be to join the Pacers. The Pacers with James would likely be the best team in basketball by a wide margin. James is the one player who could solve their offensive malaise while also actually improving their already great defense. George is too streaky as a shooter, and not a great enough ball handler, to be a consistent go-to guy, but he wouldn't have to be with James there. The Clippers would also be an excellent option if he wanted to sign for peanuts. James and Chris Paul would be an approximation of NBA heaven (a modern version of Jordan and Magic teaming up) and Blake Griffin adds further explosiveness. It would be a Big Three of the talent level that the Heat were supposed to have (and did have until Wade's body began to fail him). That said, I don't think James will sign for exceptions. He may not require the absolute veteran's max, but I think he'll still want a top salary.
If Miami didn't have LeBron would they even be a playoff team? I suppose the east was so weak they probably make it but in the west I don't think they would've been close. I'd pick the TWolves over them. Its basically the identical problem he faced in 2010 when he was with the Cavs. That team won 60 games with him then the following year had the worst record in the league.
