Broussard: Heat a Contender Next Year, But Behind Cleveland, Chicago
ESPN's Chris Broussard, or "The Human Headline," as we like to call him, joined the Marc Hochman Show With Zach Krantz to discuss Chris Bosh, hot dogs with relish, and how good this Miami Heat team can be next season.
"Let's assume Dwyane is able to stay healthy," Broussard said. "That's a top team -- now I wouldn't take them over Cleveland. Chicago, they have health issues of their own, but I'd probably put Chicago ahead of them. But after that I would say that's a team that can be a deep playoff team in the Eastern Conference. I mean that starting five is about as good as it gets."
If all goes well, meaning Goran Dragic re-signs, and both Josh McRoberts and Chris Bosh return to full health, it's a lineup of Dragic, Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng, Bosh, and Hassan Whiteside with McRoberts likely coming off the bench.
That's a deep, well-rounded core that Broussard says in combination with good coaching and a few solid additions could potentially be "a team that can challenge Cleveland" for supremacy in the Eastern Conference. Miami could even face Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs this season with some movement in the standings, but Bosh, currently still hospitalized with blood clots on his lung, and McRoberts, rehabbing a surgically repaired right knee, aren't expected to be back in time though neither have been ruled out completely.
As for just how high this roster can climb in the future, Broussard says much of it will depend on the development of Whiteside going forward. The Heat have him under contract through next season.