Re-Heat

The 2012-13 NBA season is now under way with a select few teams with the realistic chance of hoisting the championship at seasons end. 

LeBron and company being the front runners for yet another title and one step closer to his ultimate goal.

8 championships. 

The Miami Heat are primed for another great year with one more season of the Big Three gelling and creating the chemistry they need to put together a potential dynasty.  I don't like to throw around the "D" word but with the talent the Heat have and the addition of Ray Allen as a dead eye shooter off the bench for them it is looking that way. 

LeBron will be every bit his usual self and always give you his ho-hum average game of about 30 pts, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. 

LeBron, Wade, and Bosh will need to stay hungry as to not become complacent after winning last years title.  This shouldn't be a problem as their plan all along was to win multiple championships and become part of NBA history and lore.

LeBron wants to pass Michael Jordan, right, and looks like he will stop an nothing to get there.  

The way the Eastern Conference is set up this season there really shouldn't be a team they would fear in the playoffs.  

Their stiffest competition in the East will be from their arch rival Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers. 

Boston's veteran group of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett will have each others back and won't let their legacy go quietly and the emergence of Rajon Rondo as their go-to player will put them in the discussion.

The Celtics have added some youth through the draft, Jared Sullinger being one, and having Ray Allen leave Boston only join the dark side will make their contests this season epic battles.

The Indiana Pacers were pesky outs in last years playoffs as they have a very balanced team with no real "name" player.  The one player who really makes them go is Danny Granger and if he can be healthy this year they should put together another fine run. 

The Heat don't have to worry about the Chicago Bulls as Derrick Rose won't be ready for any real game action any time soon after last season playoff knee injury.  The Bulls, under Coach Thibs, will again play enough stellar defense to get themselves into the playoffs. 

It is too bad the Bulls wouldn't just tank the season and hope for the draft ping pong ball gods to land in their favor, like the Spurs did the year they got Tim Duncan. 

Speaking of the Western Conference, their victims in the NBA Finals last year, the Oklahoma City Thunder just got a bit weaker after trading James Harden to the Houston Rockets.  They were able to get in return Kevin Martin, a scorer, and potential draft picks for long term gains but the short term could hurt them. 

They still have the leagues best scorer in Kevin Durant and score first point guard Russell Westbrook who are two of the best players the NBA has to offer, pictured right. 

They will still be a tough team to beat and my guess is Kevin Durant won't rest until he gets the Thunder back to the Finals to avenge their loss. 

The New ( but old) look L.A. Lakers will be an interesting team going forward this season.  The additions of Steve Nash and Dwight Howard will take time to get in a rhythm and figure out each of their tendencies.  It will ultimately solidify their ball handling and post play going forward.  They still have the always deadly Kobe Bryant who should have this team scoring plenty of points. 

The problem will be them giving up points.  


The Lakers are older and slower with the addition of Nash and Kobe will still Kobe but just a step too slow son a step too slow.  Their gonna run son but are they gonna go?

 Will have to see if Kobe and his new teammates will be winning any titles again.  

The San Antonio Spurs will again be well disciplined and well coached under Greg Papavich and with Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Kawhi Leonard they will be winning plenty of ball games.

They are crafty veterans and will be players again but their showing against OKC last year showed they may be on their farewell tour.  The experience of having won four NBA championships can only take you so far.  Like in Punch Out, pure athleticism and skill always proves out in the end. 

It is hard to see this season going any different unless OKC can replace Harden's contributions and if the Lakers can figure things out quicker than their predecessors when building a team this way.  Boston was able to win the title when Ray, Paul, and KG got together quickly and as it was said earlier LeBron got it done with Wade and Bosh last year after year number two. 

I definitely see a Re-Heat in Miami in 2013. 

LeBron and company had to win one in order to have two and we will see if they keep going to reach eight.