Year of the Heat

The season is half over. The Heat are on top. LeBron, D-Wade and the rest of the Heat seem to be breezing through the season, now at a 6 game win streak. They finally seem to be in, "the zone". They lead the NBA in FG%.485 and 3PT% .400. Not a bad spot to be.

This year, the condensed season could be just what the Heat need to finally bring home it's inevitable title since bringing the "big three" (more like 2 and a 1/2) together.  The lack of days off are proving to be a task for the older teams and the younger teams seem to be thriving on it. This will automatically cut out some major threats in the playoffs.
The Lakers and Celtics being the major 2, that are struggling with a condensed season and even more with the Lakers after trading Odom and Gasol trade rumors kicking up again. Kobe himself said to either get it over with or leave us the eff alone. (Not those exact words but you get the picture). For now I'm saying count those teams out of at least the first round.
Along with that, the East is just a weaker conference. 7th and 8th place teams (Knicks and Celtics) aren't even floating above .500. If this trend continues you can bet on a Chicago and Miami final (both also with highest pt diff. 9.1-9.2). But until that both teams should breeze through the playoffs conserving some much needed energy.
The West has a much more competitive conference with 9 teams above .500 and their veterans proving more versatile (Spurs on 11 game win streak).

The biggest factor in the Heat winning a title will be LeBron's composure during crunch time games in the playoffs. He's been to one finals, but that's it. Now that they've had 1 1/2 years to gain whatever chemistry is there and find their game it's now or never. Especially after LeBron claiming he'd like to return to Cleveland in the future.

Either way, it's going to be a good, youth filled playoffs. I think for the Heat, it's a good of a year as ever to bring home another title. 

Image from

beinglatino.wordpress.com