6.20.2013

Does Miami Heat's future still feature Big 3?




MIAMI — Dwyane Wade slipped in the comment in his friendly, easy-going style.

But his words carried a foreboding message, even after the Miami Heat's rollicking championship celebration Thursday night.

"I think people need to enjoy it a little bit, too," Wade said before Game 7 about his union with LeBron James and Chris Bosh, "because one day it won't be here, and people are going to miss it. Let's stop getting rid of it while it's still here."

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He's right. One day, James, Wade and Bosh won't be on the Heat roster together, and because all three will be able to terminate their contracts with Miami after the 2013-14 season, the question becomes, when is that day?

Heat owner Micky Arison recently told the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel that his concern next season is winning another championship, suggesting the Big 3 will play together again in 2013-14. But if the owner considers changing up things, he might entertain offers from other teams for Bosh. Trading James or Wade seems highly unlikely.

The Heat struggled at times in the postseason against teams with size and strength, and they might look to add for size and strength, even if that means dealing Bosh. The Heat's third All-Star did not score a point in the 95-88 Game 7 victory Thursday in the NBA Finals vs. the San Antonio Spurs. He consistently was bettered by Roy Hibbert and Tim Duncan over the past month.

This was a group put together to win championships and they've won two in three years -- and went to the Finals in all three. They have accomplished quite a bit, even if at times they didn't look as sharp as expected.

"It says a lot about where we're at now, the team that we are," Wade said. "(In) 2010 our first year together we tried to make it work. And we just weren't a team that we needed to be to gut a Game 6 out, to win a game like that. To be in the championship three years in a row, to win two of those three, is unbelievable.

"Everybody can't get to The Finals and win six in a row -- like win six and not lose one like Michael Jordan. But we are excited about the future of this organization. We are still a good team. And we're going to do everything we can to make sure that we can stay competitive. And adding a guy like Ray Allen, adding a guy like Birdman (Chris Andersen), this organization doesn't rest on trying to make sure that we can put ourselves in a position to have a trophy like this. So we'll be back next year again, looking to do it again."


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