NBA Offseason Recap: Miami Heat

2012-13 Miami Heat Offseason Recap

Additions:

Draft Picks: Justin Hamilton

Free Agents: Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, Jarvis Varnado, Terrel Harris (camp)

Trade Acquired: Justin Hamilton (draft)

Subtractions: Juwan Howard, Ronny Turiaf

There's not a whole lot that needs to be said about the Miami Heat. I hate them, but damnit, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are dynamic and they are both now NBA Champions.

And as if the team wasn't scary enough with "The Big 3," they added Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis in the offseason. The future-Hall-of-Famer Allen may be getting older, but his three-point shooting percentage has risen with his age the last two seasons and he should get even more open looks with the game's ultimate slashers kicking it out to him. It's an even scarier scenario to think about for opposing teams. Basically, Allen could play the role of Mike Miller in that decisive Finals game, all the time. Man, that's absolutely terrifying.

Allen may not even be the best bargain of the two free agents. Rashard Lewis was brought on for a meager $1.35 million and has been in some miserable situations the past few years. At 33 years old, he's no spring chicken, either, but if he can get back to being half as productive as he was in his last full season with the Magic, he's going to be a major upgrade to what the Heat had off the bench last season.

Age and depth (again) will be the things to watch this season. In addition to Allen and Lewis, James and especially Wade have put a lot of miles on their bodies over the last 12 months; Shane Battier is 34; Udonis Haslem is 32; and Mike Miller is playing in an unhealthy 63-year-old's body. I think the Heat found out winning a championship isn't as easy as they thought it would be and I don't think it will be any easier after a full regular season, even with the additions of Allen and Lewis. That said, they have to be the favorites once again heading into the regular season.