2007 NBA Miami Heat Playoff Hopes
How to Save the Miami Heat's 2007 Postseason Chances
This is an emergency basketball broadcast system message for Miami fans. Your 2007 playoff hopes are hanging in limbo pending the outcome of the medical evaluation of Dwyane Wade’s shoulder injury which he suffered last night playing against the Houston Rockets. For Wade, who routinely sacrifices his body on his trademark slashing drives, to appear to be in so much pain and be taken to the hospital does not augur well for a Heat team already behind the 8-ball because of Shaquille O’Neal’s knee injury that he just recently returned from.
Wade and O’Neal’s importance can’t be overstated. The Heat is barely a .500 team without both of them on the floor. This is why I would advocate a dramatic move now before the trade deadline is passed in some 48 hours. Pat Riley can surely see that a shot-creator and a 3-ball sniper has to be in the game at all times, both to take the load off the aging Shaq and Jason Williams (The Heat point guard isn’t at full speed yet still healing from a torn abdominal muscle).
The options on the current roster are almost laughable. Antoine Walker, at this stage of his career, may be the most absurd player getting significant minutes in the NBA in history. He’s a total defensive liability, shoots less than 30% from three range, and is averaging .333 from the foul line. No, that’s not a misprint. Any random ten thousand readers of this article could suit up and can at least make 40% of their free throws. He obviously knows where the bodies are buried in Coach/GM Riley’s backyard, anyone have a better explanation?
Gary Payton and James Posey are giving them nothing. Wayne Simien appears to be a major bust of a draft pick. On the plus side, Zo Mourning is giving a heroic effort defending the paint . Eddie Jones has shot well since returning from Memphis, but Ron Rothstein (interim coach during Riley’s surgical convalescence) wasn’t giving him enough minutes, an error that Riley hopefully will correct. Udonis Haslem has at least been a rock on defense and the boards (8.5 avg.), but if not for Jason Kapono’s breakout year, with his other-worldly .549 three-point percentage, the ship would already be sunk. He’s been at least a 4-5 game difference maker.
The boat carrying the injury-riddled NBA team can’t be bailed out if Wade’s injury is that serious. Wait, there is a glimmer here. Rashard Lewis is dangling out in Seattle, and the Sonics will certainly lose value for him if they don’t ship him somewhere. If somehow they can package Haslem and Posey with his expiring contract, Lewis could be their savior for this playoff run. But there is no chance, repeat none, that the Heat can overcome any of the cream of the East – Pistons, Cavs, or Wizards – if Shaq’s left to carry the load alone.
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