As 2008 Comes to a close, it seems fitting to look back at the most memorable moments of the year in sports. From The Patriots to the Redeem Team, from Michael Phelps to Tiger Woods, from Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to Mario Chalmers and his Super Shot. This year was filled with exciting games and matches that will forever be in the hearts of every sports fan.

     This was supposed to be the year in which the New England Patriots would become the greatest football team in the history of the NFL by going 19-0 and with that surpassing the 1972 Miami Dolphins 17-0 perfect season. But that didn’t happen, thanks to the New York Giants. in a game in which people were already celebrating the Patriots perfect season, Eli Manning and the Giants went on for one last drive with a little over a minute left in the game. Manning and his crew pulled out one of the most amazing drives that I have ever seen in the NFL to date. Manning avoids 3 tackles in an amazing fashion, then with one final try he lunches the ball dow the field. On the other end, Giants receiver David Tyree leaped up to the catch the ball while Rodney Harrison of the Patriots, jumped up with him and banged at the football with his right hand. As Tyree fell to the ground, Harrison pulled him and shook him, and Tyree’s left hand slipped off the ball. He kept the football in his possession by jamming it against his helmet with his right hand. What an amazing play. But that was not all. People forget that 2 plays later Manning connected on a 12-yard pass on third and 11 to score a touchdown and beat the unbeatable team.

     This was the year that we saw Tiger Woods simply play his best golf. going to 18 rounds in the US Open versus an opponent who no one knew until that day. Rocco Madate played the best he could but no one can stop the greatness that is Tiger Woods. Only after he won the US open was when we could truly appreciate the greatness that game truly was. Woods came out and told the world that he was playing with a torn ligament in his left knee and a stress fracture in his left tibia. Pure greatness, to win the US Open in one leg. Yes, we knew Tiger was in pain; he had been wincing in pain all weekend and crumpling to one knee after taking his big swing and chewing pain killers to take the edge off. But when he said that the world thought.. pure greatness, no one could do only he; Tiger Woods.

     The University of Kansas was down by 9 points with 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter of the NCAA Championship… After their opponent the Memphis Tigers missed a couple of key free throws that could have sealed the victory, the Jayhawks began to play with a purpose. Then, all of a sudden with 03.6 seconds left Mario Chalmers send a desperation trey to tie the game and send it to overtime. What happened next is - well - history. Chalmers three is good. The game goes to overtime and the University of Kansas Jawhawks win the championship. Later, in June, Chalmers was selected as the 34th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Minnesota  Timberwolves who then traded him to the Miami HEAT where he has been the starting pont guard since opening night. Chalmers, is considered the steal of the draft and has a good chance at rookie of the year if he keeps this up. He’s leading all rookies in steals per game and is ranked 6th in assists. No one could see the greatness “Super” Mario Chalmers had.. No one, but a guy by the name of Pat Riley.

     This year we saw the best tennis match in years, five beautiful sets in the final at Wimbledon between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Roger Federer was unbeatable on grass, he had not lost a grass match in six years but his opponent had something to say to that. Rafael Nadal looked sharp at first and it seemed as if Federer was going to lose but then, rain fell. When the players returned, Federer looked fresh and ready to go. losing by two sets, Federer hit an ace with match point against him, hit a brilliant backhand winner with match point against him again and won the next two sets to tie the match. More rain fell and, finally, to the unforgettable fifth set we went as darkness closed in at Wimbledon. Federer and Nadal went back and forth with great shots that would have put away any other player in the world. Then with a fatal mistake, Federer put the ball right at the net. All Nadal could do is fall on the floor and celebrate. 

     This year, was the year of Michael Phelps, the greatest Olympian ever, who won a records setting eight gold medals in style. He broke Olympic records in all eight of his races, and world records in seven of them. His most exciting race to watch was the one versus Croatia’s Milorad Cavic. Cavic had  one goal in mind, bury Michael Phelps and end his eight-gold medal dream. But in this race more than any other, Phelps looked poised and ready. Later, Milorad would say to NBC “With all due respect to Michael, he’s got a monopoly on the sport … the last time I checked this isn’t a good thing for anyone except that person.” Cavic had the early lead nobody could swim that first 50 meters faster. Phelps closed in hard, nobody can swim that second 50 meters faster. They came to the wall together. Phelps went high, Cavic went low.  Phelps won by one-hundredth of a second. That one gold medal, for me, was the highlight off all the golds Phelps had won.

     Ah Yes, there was so much to be thankful for this year there were the miracle Rays, where they went from the worst team in baseball to the World Series thanks to a bunch of young pitchers, a rookie third baseman, and a longtime minor league manager with thick frames and a Mohawk.. Those Rays lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, who won only their second championship in 125 years. No one counted on the Rays to win the AL East, the division of the Evil Empire and the Boston Red Sox. No one could have guessed that this was the year the Evil Empire would fall and the Red Sox would lose in the ALCS to those Tampa Bay Dev- oops I mean Rays.

     For many basketball fans, the biggest part of the year was the redemption of the Boston Celtics from worst to first. The genius GM that brought Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to what was the worst team in the league the year before. The 2008 NBA Finals was a dream for any sports writers and fans alike. The biggest rivalry in the sport to date. Lakers-Celtics. Magic-Bird, and now Bryant-Pierce. the series went to 6 games. Who can forget the Lakers meltdown in LA when they were up by 24 points in the 4th quarter when the Celtics made a furious comeback and won that very important game 4. Game 6 we all remember, it was a Celtics bow-out. The kind that no team deserves to get not even Kobe Bryant and his Lakers

     And who can forget the Redeem Team? The U.S. Olympic basketball team, which not only won a gold medal, which was the easy part, but won back a little bit of America’s basketball dignity. Let by the All-Star group that included, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer, Micheal Reed, Deron Williams and Kobe Bryant just to name a few. the Redeem Team cruised through all of it’s oponents. Led by a player who was not even a starter, Dwyane Wade, led the redeem team in scoring with 18.3 points per game. with Wade, LeBron, and Kobe, no one could stop the Americans, not even Bryant’s teammate with the Lakers Pau Gasol, and a 16 year old boy no one knew about named Ricky Rubio. The gold medal game was one of the greatest Olympic Basketball games i have ever seen. It was a clinic of shooting from both sides. Then, just when things were looking ugly for the USA, Dwyane Wade hit a jumper in the 4th to bring them back. That was followed by a Kobe Bryant dunk and by then the momentum was back in the Americans side.

     None of this mentions Josh Hamilton who rose from the dead in the Home Run derby. He was a lost soul, failed drug tests, a baseball suspension, a dead end life. He came back in 2008 and was a star. There is Dara Torres, The 40-year-old mother from Parkland, Florida on her quest of Olympic gold. Big Brown in this bid for the Triple Crown. Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Trenor, who went back to back as Beach Volleyball Olympic Gold Medalist. and there are so many more that one can think of.  Now, as 2008 comes to a close, we can only dream of what 2009 will bring to us in the world of sports. Who knows, maybe we will see the Dolphins in the Super Bowl? maybe we will see the HEAT in the playoffs? who knows? only time will tell.

     So lately I have been getting e-mails from people asking me what i think about 2 things. one, what i think about Shawn Marion and the rumor mill. and two, Michael Beasley.

I’m going to begin with Beasley…

     I am beginning to think that he was a waste of a draft pick. please don’t get me wrong, he’s a great player, but he has done nothing significant for Miami. People argue that he won the game for us on December 1st in Golden State with that steal and free throw. But here is the thing, he would have never gone in if Shawn marion got fouled out…

     Sure, its great to have a guy that can come off the bench and do some damage but he been nothing great in the past games I’ve seen.  Go ahead and criticize me. I know what most of you are thinking. “Give him time he”s only 30 games into his rookie season”. I’m not saying I hate Beasley, please don’t get me wrong he’s a good guy but he’s beginning to feel like a Draft hype and nothing more. sure I’m happy he’s here but i want to see more from him.

     Our best rookie, is a guy by the name of Mario Chalmers. He is the most underrated rookies in the league. He’s averaging 10.5 ppg, 2 steals per game and 5 assists per game. No one looks at that. I believe he was the steal of the draft and he will someday be an all star player. Mike is too going to be an all star but I believe the only way he will thrive in Miami is if Haslem or Marion get traded. If not, Beasley will sure be a great 6th man. I believe the honeymoon is over mike, welcome to the NBA kid. Start preforming up to the standards we know you can preform at… Make me and all other HEAT fans interested to see you play when we pay to go see you. Again, please don’t take this as a throw Beasley under the bus sort of thing. its nothing like that, I’m just voicing my opinion as a die heart true heat fan. if we have drafted oj mayo, we would have gotten a guard that is number one among rookies in scoring with 20 ppg. He would be an offensive force to be reckoned with. wade and mayo.. BUT if we drafted mayo there would be no need to trade for Chalmers and ultimately we would have never found the hidden talent charmers has. so i suppose having Beasley is not the worst thing ever. its frustrating to see such a great player under preforming but I’m sure he’ll get through this. C’mon Mike! I’m a huge fan! Start playing like you did at Kansas State

Now, let’s talk about Marion…

     I will be the first to say, Shawn Marion should not be traded. We should give him a new contract and let him keep doing what he has done for us. The reason we are doing so well is not because we got Michael Beasley in the draft, the reason is Marion has been with the heat for a training camp,and a begging of a season. He is such a great player, he isn’t called The Matrix for nothing, and seeing him leave Miami would be devastating. People say Wade will only stay in Miami if we have a championship caliber roster, well if that’s so, leave Marion. trade someone else for a good reliable center and we have a playoff team. Shawn is averaging 13 ppg, 9 rebounds per game, and 2 assists per game.  Sure, they are lower than his career totals but that’s because we have other players to pick up the load when they need to. If Miami gets rid of Marion, it would just make Miami seem like one of those teams that needed a quick fix so they take this guy and now trade him.

     If you trade him, at least trade him for someone reliable like Carlos Boozer for example. Yeah, keep Beasley in the bench as a 6th man and bring in all star forward Carlos boozer, we all know he wants to come to Miami so why not pull the trigger on this trade. That would be probably the only trade I would agree with, nothing else. I just don’t see why its so hard for Pat Riley to offer Marion a contract and sign him long term. Wade will surly sign if he knows Miami is trying to make a run at the Larry O’Brien trophy. Do you really expect Miami to sign Wade and Lebron in 2010? How about Wade and Bosh? It would be awesome, but be realistic.

     You know what it is? The Miami HEAT are spoiled. They have a great team with a great starting 5 (minus the center), all they need is a center. Why not trade someone else for a center? Keep Marion and we will soon see another championship banner hanging in the rafters of the American Airlines Arena.

This was by far one of the best HEAT games that I have been to in my seventeen years. It was a classic showdown of two of the elite players of the game. On one side, the current NBA leading scorer, 2006 Finals MVP, and Gold Medalist Dwyane Wade. On the other, Former NBA leading scorer, Current league MVP, and Gold medalist Kobe Bryant. 

From the get go this was the game of the year. with eighteen ties and seven lead changes Wade showed the world why there is so much hype back in South Beach. Miami, looked nothing like it did when it lost to the Milwaukee Bucks on monday night. This Lakers/Heat game, was as close to a championship-like performance as you can get in the regular season. Miami held the Lakers to a season low in points (87) and, forced 21 turnovers also a season high for the Lakers. In all, Miami put up a playoff-like performance against one of the toughest teams in the western conference. (on a side note, Miami has beaten Phoenix and Los Angeles 2 of the Western conferences best teams). Now, on he he awards of the night.

Game MVP: Dwyane Wade

It’s a no brainer to give the award to Wade. With 35 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks (one was a super block at the end of the game), and 3 dimes, Wade is showing us why he has been getting the “M-V-P” chants at the Triple A. Wade had a last minute buzzer beater at the end of the 3rd quarter to put Miami ahead that had all 19,600 fans at the American Airlines Arena on their feet. Again, Wade showed us his repertoire with flashy lay-ups, wet jumpers, and his ability to defend. No way was Wade going to let Miami go down and have a 4 game losing streak going into tonight’s game in New Jersey.

Surprise of the Game: Daequan Cook

Sure, not many people even know who this kid is, but I’m telling you he will soon be a great star. He had 14 points versus the lakers, and wad 4-6 from the three-point line. He had a hard task ahead of him by guarding Kobe Bryant for the times that wade was not on the floor. Cook also had 4 rebounds to go with his 14 points. I have never seen Cook as poised as I saw him tonight here was nothing that could have cooled him down and for that, he gets the SURPRISE OF THE GAME.

Tough Night: Joel Anthony

With 32 minutes of playing time, Anthony had 4 points. the bright side of that is that he had 8 rebounds and 2 blocks. Not much can be said about Joel. I’m not sure why he’s even in the starting line up… well i can understand why Erik is doing that, as soon as Marion gets traded, Beasley will take Marion spot and then we will need a center and Joel fits in that place rather nicely. Just not tonight.

Lights Out: Kobe Bryant

Who else would I have given this award to? It seemed that every-time Kobe had the ball the ball went in. I was so nervous when Kobe got the ball with 9 seconds left because of that. Kobe was all over the place. 28 points, 3 rebounds and 3 dimes. he was nothing short than what I myself expected to see from the League’s MVP. Just being in the presence of Kobe had this weird aura to it.

Now, I have a bone to pick… What on earth is going on with Michael Beasley? he has not played the way he was in the beginning of the season. He now is a bench player and hardly plays. Tonight he had 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 4 turnovers in 18 minutes of play… is this the Beasley HEAT fans expected to see mesh with Wade and Marion? I’m now having second thoughts on to why Riley drafted him and not O.J. Mayo…… Sorry Beasley

Miami’s next opponent are the New Jersey Nets, who just came off a win versus the Mavs at home.. Miami travel to NJ to continue the streak at 2 now.. Tomorrow at 8pm on sun sports!

When Miami made the Shaquille O’Neal trade last year, Shaq did what he does best… Run his mouth. He called Wade “Wonder Boy”, said that part of his problem in Miami was that he was playing alongside Chris Quinn and Ricky Davis, and that the HEAT medical staff never knew what was wrong with him. Shall we say that the HEAT had something to prove to O’Neal? As much as Chris Quinn and Wade might say it wasn’t.. It was. and You could see it in Wade’s eye that he was there to prove the Big cactus wrong. 

Shawn Marion got a huge ovation from the beloved crowed in Phoenix…. O’Neal, don’t expect the same when we see you again in March down here in South Beach… “Go Ahead, boo me. I dont care, My feelings can’t get hurt” said O’Neal. Well, we shall see that. In the O’Neal - Marion comparison, Shaq had more points, 12, Marion had more assists, 6 and less turnovers, he committed zero.

Miami came into this game coming off one of it’s worst losses of the season. A 38 point loss to a young Portland Trail Blazers team. Okay, granted Phoenix did not have Steve Nash today (thigh injury) but still, in a game were Miami’s biggest lead was 19 and Phoenix never lead, it was by far one of Miami’s best game of the season versus a decent opponent.

Here at the HEAT blog, I am going to start doing something a little different, feel free to comment on it to let me know if you like it or not. I’m going to give out awards after every game. A game MVP, the biggesdt surprise of the game, the player that had the worst night so on and so forth. So, without further ado, here we go.

Game MVP: Dwyane Wade

It’s common sense to give the MVP award to Wade. Wade had 43 Points, 6 Assists, 3 Rebounds, and 1 Steal. Wade was terrific the entire way, and as i said, you could see it in his eyes that he had a chip on his shoulders from last season and all that O’Neal said about him and the rest of his team. Wade was 11-12 from the Free throw line. 2-3 from downtown and was just lighting up the floor with his amazing repertoire of skills, hitting the Js, getting teammates involved, getting to the hole. and so, for tonight’s game, Wade is the MVP.

Biggest Surprise of the game: Mario Chalmers

Many experts say the “Super Mario” was the steal of the draft, and I would agree with that. Mario has a terrific sense of defense, and that’s something that Erik Spoelstra has been preaching to this team. Chalmers had 5 Steals to go with 13 Points and 2 assists. He is a pain in the defensive end, Raja Bell and him almost got into a heated argument in the 3rd quarter after Bell stole the ball from him and Chalmers with his defensive swagger took it back. Many people ha said that Mario is inconsistent but I think that he has finally matured to the PG Miami needs, sure, he’s not the perfect PG yet but better then he was on the opening night.

Tough Night: Michael Beasley

The second overall pick in the NBA Draft, by far had the worst game of his young career. Zero points in 13 minutes of play. He did not start for the 1st time in his career, had only 2 steals, and 5 rebounds.. Beasley is learning that the NBA game is not the same game he played at Kansas State. Here in the pros Mike, the players deserve to be in it, in college not all players on the court deserve to be on it. I’m sure that Beasley is going to shake this game off and come back to the starting rotation tomorrow.

Lights Out performance: Leandro Barbosa

With Steve Nash not playing, Brazilian Leandro Barbosa took the reigns at the PG spot and did a superb job. 20 points, 2 steals, and 5 assists for the sixth man are pretty solid numbers. No wonder Barbosa got the sixth man of the year award two seasons ago. He was lights out tonight versus the HEAT and keep an eye on him getting only better.

Stat of the Night: Turnovers Mia-8 Phx-19

This proves that Erik Spoelstra’s defensive oriented team is soon to be seen every night. The run-and-gun Phoenix Suns of 2 years ago is no more. with 19 turnovers, that was by far the Suns worst offensive games this season. The HEAT is still among league leaders in Forced turnovers per game and keep and eye out for that to continue all season long.

Miami’s next opponent is the Los Angeles Clipper Tomorrow night at the Staples Center. Game Starts at 10:30

     Dwyane Wade has made a living of silencing the doubters around him. People telling him he will never come back to his finals MVP form… Well, he has proved those people wrong. Wade, the NBA’s 2nd leading scorer, is the most important player if Miami wants to again see themselves in the playoff hunt this april. No one in this HEAT team wants it as more as Wade. 

     Wade has elevated all the players that he plays with. Rookie Micheal Beasley said that during the 4th quarter of the HEAT’s win over the Nets a couple of days ago he “could only stop and watch Wade put it down.” Wade has again earned his nickname “Mr. Fourth Quarter” by making most of his points during the decisive quarter. coming into the Wizards game last week at the AAA Wade had a career best 3 games with 30 or more points. Also, during the Nets game, Wade hit another career best 4 three pointers in the fouth quarter. Later he was asked on to why he hasn’t hit more threes, he said, “I didn’t need to use them before” that just shows you what Wade has in his repertoire of skills. Not shooting 3’s because he “didn’t need to”? that’s amazing. 

    With that, comes my next point. Miami is 5-5 and no one can be more to thank than Mr. Wade himself. without him, Miami could have been just as bad as last year. Granted that we now have Rookie Sensations Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers, we have a healthy Shawn Marion playing the way he did with his time in Phoenix and a “big man” in Udonis Haslem. But none of this would mean anything if the Star Guard of the team was not back to his Finals MVP form of 2006. 

     I will keep to my prediction earlier this year, Miami will make the playoffs as a number 4 or 5 this year. Wade will win MVP and Beasley will maybe win Rookie of the Year. 

    For all the fans out there that had lost your faith in the Miami HEAT… I think it’s time to buy a new HEAT jersey and go to some games because soon you will not be able to buy tickets for the games because they will be Jammed pack full of true fans that were there in the horrible 20th season last year.

     Miami, is Back and poised to silence all of the doubters.

     After the heart-breaking loss to the New York Knicks on wednesday night. The Miami HEAT had their home opener on Halloween Night, and boy did the HEAT have a treat for their fans. Miami led the entire game versus the Ron Arstest-less Sacramento Kings. Miami’s biggest lead was 38 and the game was pretty much decided by the second quarter. Miami’s Fab 5 were spectacular once again. Wade had a game high 20 points, Beasley added 17, Marion and Haslem added 13 and 14 points respectively. Rookie sensation Mario Chalmers did not have a good game, but had 2 assists and 4 steals. Sacramento had no chance to climb back into this game and Miami won by a score of 103-77.

     Many sports annalist like myself had said that the first 3 Miami games were critical games, and I will explain why I said that. New York, Sacramento, and Charlotte are very weak teams and for Miami, the road to redemption began on Wednesday with a loss that not many people would expect.

     Coach Spoelstra said on his post game conference after the Knicks loss that the defense did not show up and play the way they had been playing in the pre-season. I suppose that some of the players took that to heart because during the game versus the Kings, the defense was all over the field. What happened when the defense showed up and played? The HEAT blew the other team out of the water. So people ask, Why can’t the defense show up to every game?! Well, the answer is quite simple…. The HEAT is a undersized team. There will be nights (like the one in charlotte) in which Udonis Haslem won’t be able to defend the taller Center (in that case, Emeka Okafor). but there are other nights that Haslem will be all over the Center, (such was the case with the kings).

     So what can fans expect from this 2008 Miami HEAT team? Fans can be sure of one thing. they have something to prove, and so with that being said, don’t worry that the HEAT are 1-2 right now. The team is very young.. (they are starting 2 rookies in the line up. that’s the first time that has happen since 2003 when Miami also had 2 rookies in the line up.. they, so happened to be called, Udonis Haslem and Dwyane Wade). Give them some time to play together and grow in their team chemistry and you will see that by the All-Star break, Miami will NOT be the last place team in the NBA. 

So here is my prediction for the HEAT this year. I know it may sound a little far fetched but, I suspect the HEAT to get the 5th or 6th seed in the east this year. What do you guys think? 

     In it’s first game since that horrible season last year, Miami comes out and losses the game. Now, people might just say “oh boy here we go again”. But when in reality, this was a pretty good game. Miami scored 115 points (second most points scored by a HEAT team in it’s opening game). 

The game seemed out of reach when Miami was down by 23 in the 3rd quarter. But, this Miami HEAT team still did not quit and they came back and went up by three with a couple of minutes left in the 4th quarter. Miami lost by five, but it sure was better losing by five then by 20 or so. rookie head coach Erick Spoelstra after the game preached on defense. he said that the defense was nowhere near where it should be and that the offence was clicking at times. He went on to say that during practices the defense is better (well no duh, during practices things always go better…)

Speaking of rookies, the HEAT started 2 rookies in it’s opening night roster (the most by any HEAT team in 21 years). Rookie sensations Micheal Beasley and Mario Chalmers were in the starting lineup alongside Dwyane Wade, Shawn Marion, and Udonis Haslem. Beasley did not have a great game, he scored only nine points in 27 minutes. He was 4-14 from the field and had three turnovers. not a great start, but everyone in Miami knows he’ll come around. In the other hand, Mario Chalmers had a sensational NBA Debut scoring 17 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds with 1 turnover in 35 minutes of play. May people say that Chalmers was the steal of the draft, and I believe that they are right.

The rest of the team was good as well. Wade, Marion, and Haslem scored 26, 14, 23 points respectively. Wade, had 9 assists, 7 rebounds and 5 turnovers. Marion had 11 rebounds and had a double-double. Haslem had 10 rebounds and also had a double-double.

In all, with the first game of the season in the books, Miami can now focus on the thing they lack the most… Defense. not a bad way to start the season at all.

Notes: Dwyane Wade fouled out in the end of the 4th quarter, this is the 1st time he has fouled out in 2 years. Daequan Cook had 13 points and was 3-6 from downtown with all three of them coming back-to-back in the 4th quarter when Miami needed the most. Shaun Livingston played for the 1st time since his horible knee injury and scored 2 points in 4 minutes. The HEAT next play at the American Airlines Arena on October 31st at 7pm versus the Sacramento Kings

This might as well be the starting five for the Miami HEAT this upcoming season. Forwards Shawn Marion, Michael Beasley. Guards, Dwyane Wade, Mario Chalmers and at Center, Udonis Haslem. Okay, so i might be wrong on the Haslem one but the rest seems pretty good to me.

The future is now for the Miami HEAT and at the annual media day it looked like the new regime is ready to - Dare I say it - “Redeem” themselves as an elite team in the NBA. So in a sense, Dwyane Wade is still not done with his Redemption. He already proved the entire world he’s back to the old flash HEAT fans came to know and love in 2006 but now he has to prove the world he’s ready to lead this new and improved Miami squad without the help of Shaquille O’Neal. 

The acquisitions of Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers, James Jones, Jamaal Magloire alongside Chris Quinn, and Dorell Wright being resigned just turned the HEAT from a mediocre team to a contender. I’m not saying the HEAT are going to be 2009 NBA Champions, but I for sure know they are not going to win 15 games next season.

This new Miami HEAT team has the potential of being one of the very best in the NBA they just need time to prove it. And, as history shows us, our pre-season last year was horrible. think back for a second.

- Dwyane Wade was out still recovering

- We traded for Ricky Davis and Mark Blount who only played 2 or 3 preseason games with us

- Shaquille O’Neal was already sick of the HEAT and was ready to make any excuse to sit on the bench with his 10 Thousand dollar suit

But this year.. oh no this year it’s different!

- Wade is ready to go

- Our players that we got in the offseason are HERE and ready to go as well

- No cactus complaints anymore

No matter where you play a sport, if it’s a rec league, school team, or professionaly. It’s inevitable that a team needs time to gel and get chemistry. The 2007-2008 Miami HEAT did not have the luxury that so many teams had. As you can now see, the HEAT have the Big Three. no, not garnett, alen and pierce.. Wade, Beasley, and Marion. With those three players i’m certain that the Miami Heat will have a successful season and people in Miami will again have something to be happy about.

For you people that don’t really know by now…. HE’S BAACCKK!

Miami HEAT superstar Dwyane Wade has had quite a summer. The “Redeem Team” as they are called, are in the gold medal match for the first time since 2000. The Tittle Redeem Team does not only go for the USA Basketball team but it can also go for Miami’s own Dwyane Wade. Wade is Redeeming himself after a disappointing season filled with injuries and surgeries, he has been trying to come back to the 2006 Final MVP form but until this summer it was in vain. But, With his legs as strong as ever, Dwyane Wade is again looking like the player who lifted the HEAT to the 2006 NBA title run.  Wade had knee and shoulder problems ever since he went to the FIBA world championship games after the 06 tittle run, but now, it seems as if he’s back in top form. All HEAT fans in the US are excited about this “new and improved” Dwyane Wade and can not wait to see him, Marion, and Beasley play together.

Wade also has to redeem himself of this horrible season that we saw Shaq leave us. He wants to prove that he can exist with out the big blob by his side. He is Dwyane Wade after all, why would he need O’Neal? Wade is once again explosive to the basket, once again he can shoot the ball with ease. His stroke has been great and he can shoot as far as the three point line in the international level.

This up-coming NBA season is going to be the season that the HEAT will be back on in Miami. With a Healthy Wade, Shawn Marion, and the 2nd pick in the NBA Draft, Michael Beasley, there really is nothing that can stop Miami. HEAT fans have been dreaming about this day ever since they saw Wade be shut-down with a good 2 months left of basketball. This 2008-2009 Miami HEAT squad will be back in the playoff picture and as I said before, the HEAT will be on in Miami again!

Wade has been a crucial part of the Men’s US Basketball team. Coming of the bench and being able to score around 19 points per game. or, if he’s not scoring, another part of his “new and improved game” will be in play. It could be his assists (he is not a turnover machine anymore), or it could be his up-tight Defense that helped the US squad get in the gold medal match.

     Okay, so I’m not the type of person that likes to burn my team to the ground, let alone a hall of famer in Pat Riley, BUT this offseason is just making me sicker by the minute. I don’t get it! Okay, we got Beasley and we got Chalmers.. We have Wade, and we still have Marion (for now). and what about Alonzo Mourning? Is he retired? or are we seeing the Brett Farve of the NBA in Zo? I thought that after the 15-67 season Pat Riley would be ashamed of what he had done and bring together a brand new roster to this HEAT team in 2008-2009.

     Sure, he has done some of that with drafting Beasley, and trading for Mario Chalmers (The PG of the future). but with that we signed James Jones, Bobby Jones (remember him), and oh this guy named Yakhouba Diawara! oh yeah try to say that name. it’s ridiculous. apparently Yakhouba Diawar played two NBA Seasons, he played both of them with the Denver Nuggets and was averaging like 4 Points per game. he’s a bench player, and the best thing, he’s a forward… PAT! WE DON”T NEED ANYMORE FORWARDS! stop signing meaningless players and start trying to trade for players that are proved in the NBA! Perhaps a trade with the Pacers for Jamaal Tinsley? They have said they want to part ways with him.. a trade that would perhaps include Udonis Haslem could work? All i know is that we are in desperate need at the PG position. SG we got it covered with D-Wade and Ricky Davis.. opps i forgot, he signed with the Clippers. well at least we can get a PG to back-up Jason Williams? ops i forgot again, HE SIGNED WITH THE CLIPPERS as well.

     Who do we have in our roster as of today? well not any big names besides, D-Wade, The Matrix, B-Easy, Super Mario, Zo, and U-D. well tha’t right there is a very solid Starting 5: Wade, Chalmers, Beasley, Marion, and Zo. but the question is.. Who will be the bench players? sure, we have Marcus Banks and Dorell Wright. But D-Wright is looking for a better offer and if he gets it we are down to 4 strong from our championship run.. and i would hate to see Dorell leave he is my second favorite player, i got his autograph and everything. to back up at PG we have, Banks and Quinn. to back up at Forward we have Wright and Haslem. and at center… umm Mark Blount? i don’t like that. Some people are telling me that this James Jones guy is a solid player.. I’m not buying it until i see him play. And for this, you could call me Doubting Thomas i don’t really care. But please, don’t try to tell me that Bobby Jones is a “solid” player.. he’s not, that’s why he only had a 15-day contract with the HEAT last season. There are so many good free agents out there still.. Shaun Livingston, Jannero Pargo, and Stephon Marbury if the Knicks eventually cut him. I don’t care what people are saying, Marbury will have my support if he comes down to south beach. look at Ron Artest and the Rockets.. No one is throwing stones at them! so why throw stones at the HEAT? If we have Marbury and Wade at the guards, Marion and Beasley at the Forwards, and Zo Comes back.. that’s a sick line-up. Listen up HEAT fans, I know that last year was a horrible year, and I know that what Pat Riley is doing right now is making you hate him more and more. But please, KEEP HOPE ALIVE.

 Look on the bright side, not all Florida Teams are stinking this year! Look at the 1st place Tampa bay Rays! and you can’t forget to look at the 2nd place Florida Marlins!!!! AND… DWYANE WADE is owning in the olympics! (that’s my topic for next time!), and we have Micheal Beasley and Mario Chalmers!!!!

GO HEAT