well, they are certainly trying it now. And I think it is ok to try it. One assumption is there are much more talented players than it was back in 80s or 90s, we have seen players from 2nd round, D-league, Europe, undrafted coming into the NBA and play starter minutes. Teams like Miami believes that with a little luck and right scouts, they can fill up the roster with minimum contracts. And again, I'm not saying this is the right way to build a team, as a matter of fact, I hate this kind super star strategy in any sports(Soccer, Baseball). But I think from a team perspective, it is worth trying.
Miami is DAMN smart for getting rid of all of the scrubs that were piled up. It was Wade and Beasley that carried Miami last year. This at least gives Miami a chance to start over and with some good FA signings.. no matter who they end up getting. I'm sure it'll be better than the garbage they had on the court last year.
I read somewhere (maybe BSPN) that Miami's list of free agent targets starts with Bosh, goes to Boozer, and ends with Stoudemire. At least as far as PFs. I see Bosh playing remora fish to LeBron's shark in Chicago. So maybe Boozer winds up in Miami, where he owns a home. Not a bad thing, but just underscores how much they need to flush Beasley (even though their failure to do so has resulted in public denials that it's exactly what they've been trying to do). Two undersized power forwards ain't gonna cut it, even if you try to call one of them a small forward. I hope for Joe Johnson's sake he isn't left without a chair when the music stops. I guess there's always a chance to pair him and STAT in NY or NJ.
They are taking a HUGE risk at striking out and losing Wade. You dont gamble like that, its just bad business. Build a team by actually drafting good players, not putting all your cards in one basket. 3 teams went all in this offseason and one of them is going to pay dearly for it.
Actually you do take gambles or else just be mediocre. You said best case scenario is Wade, Johnson, and Amare?? Or they sign one max guy and several second tier players. Wade had a team full of scrubs. There is no way adding a max guy and 2 other "above average" players doesn't significantly make them better. Worst case scenario is a team full of scrubs. Well that is basically what they were last year besides Wade.
They were a 47 win team last year with a decent amount of experienced NBA players such as Jermaine Oneal, Udonis Haslem, Richardson, etc. Gambling is way different than "going all in" especially with Wade in your chip pile.
i can see AI joining them....for the minimum...Nate robinson is out there, probably for the minimum also....Barnes, warrick, gooden, wallace....there's guys out there who can definitely help them.......the biggest issue they're going to have is finding a shooter or shooters to play off of wade and bosh/amare/boozer. Korver's out there...Not sure what Ray Allen's plans are...but Riley knows how to appeal to players, especially vets.
It's obviously a gamble, but I think it's the right gamble by Miami. It's not like New York where the team is totally stripped down. The thing they have in their favor is that they already have Wade and he seems pretty clear about preferring to stay in Miami. Having the ability to sign 2 almost 2 max free agents basically puts them on par with Chicago. And I think they're willing to take their chances of selling the big free agents on their organization vs. Chicago (or any other, for that matter): Superstar (D-Wade >D-Rose) City to live in (Miami>Chicago) Management (Riley>Paxson) Money (No state income tax for another-wise equally structured contract) As much as I don't want to see any of these star FAs gang up and sign in one spot, I like the idea of Miami and Chicago overtaking the New York as the most likely place for it to happen.
