Four years out from “The Decision”

Rhys Williams/Sports Director

Four years ago yesterday the nation found out that Lebron James was going to bring his talents to “South Beach” and play for the Miami Heat.

In an hour long television special, then Cleveland Cavalier player James decided to come and join Dwyane Wade, who had been a staple in the Heat franchise for years, and Chris Bosh, another very talented free agent who came to the Heat from above our northern border in the Toronto Raptors.

The “new-age” big three – a lot younger than Ray Allen [now of the Miami Heat], Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce – along with some other pieces went on to four straight NBA Finals and went 2-2 for championships. Both of those championship loses came to teams from Texas. The Dallas Mavericks the first season that they were together and the San Antonio Spurs – who the Heat are 1-1 against in the finals in the past two seasons – this past season.

All of the Heat’s big three decided recently to opt out of their contracts and become free-agents again. Which is scary to the average Heat fan.

Now I may not be the most knowledgable person about basketball but I still am entitled to an opinion. The way that I believe the pieces will end up falling begin with Bosh. In my opinion, now that the Houston Rockets have offered him a max contract, will not be in a Miami Heat uniform in the near future, if ever again.

That decision would clear the cap space and dollars needed  for the Heat to sign Carmelo Anthony, formerly of the New York Knicks. If Anthony comes to the Heat, I am sure he would be here for a while and be a key piece in success for years.

Off of that, it would lead to James resigning with Pat Riley’s Heat. That is the largest part of this offseason and a necessary No. 1 item on the list for Miami.

Now, for the part that no one who is a Miami fan will like. I do not believe that Wade is worth the money that he wants to make anymore nor do I think that he will be a member of the Heat for the 2014 – 2015 season.

The landing places that I think are the highest possibility for Wade is either in New York with the Knicks, the Minnesota Timberwolves, or the Los Angeles Clippers.

Also, with the recent additions of Danny Granger, from the Clippers and Josh McRoberts from the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets to the Heat I believe that the losses of Bosh and Wade will be noticed but if James and Anthony team up the Heat may get back for a fifth year in a row.

–rhys.williams@fiusm.com

Photo by Alejandro Solana/The Beacon