MIAMI – For the Miami Heat, it’s better in the Bahamas.
Once again, the Heat will hold training camp at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, as they did back in 2013.
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Don’t let the tropical setting fool you. The five days they’ll spend on the island will be all business, and they’ll enter camp with more questions than answers about this roster.
I know they don’t open camp for another two weeks, but it’s never too early to discuss the questions they’ll need to answer.
How do you replace Dwyane Wade’s production and leadership?
More than anything, this will be the real headline entering camp (we’ll get to Chris Bosh in a moment.
It’s not only the 18-20 points per game that Wade was capable of putting most nights, but it’s the feeling that at any big moment he could save the day.
Who will Heat players turn to in those big moments without Wade around to save them?
The answer is likely Bosh (again, we’ll get to him in a moment,) but the younger players on the roster have to show the capability to put up consistent numbers. That means Justise Winslow, Tyler Johnson and the currently injured Josh Richardson must all improve. It can’t be one or two of them making the next step. All three of them need to make a jump with more weight on their shoulders.
If Bosh doesn’t play (once again, we’ll get to that in a moment,) Goran Dragic will need to be the go-to-guy in key situations. I have no doubt Dragic can do that at times, but it’s a lot to expect of him to be the closer night in and night out.
Will Chris Bosh play and be productive?
Okay, now we can get to Bosh. I know most people want to make this the top storyline of camp, and trust me it’s important, but it’s hard to discuss something with so much uncertainty surrounding the situation.
Here’s what I do know; Bosh wants to play. He feels he can play, and he feels he can do so while using blood thinning medication. I know the Heat will be cautious and won’t put Bosh’s life at risk for basketball reasons.
But, Miami appears ready to at least listen to the potential options that would allow Bosh to play.
Heat owner Micky Arison recently re-tweeted a video Bosh posted of himself working out on the court, and Arison stated he looked forward to seeing Bosh in training camp.
To me, it’s pretty clear Bosh will be in the Bahamas and focused on trying to take part. What really happens is to be determined.
Is Hassan Whiteside ready to be a star?
Whiteside is being paid like a superstar and he has the talent to be just that. The Heat didn’t pay him all that money to be inconsistent or average. The big guy has to be a nightly 15 points and 12 rebounds guy, along with his typical three blocks or so. He needs to be a game changer.
To his credit, he was rapidly becoming that as last season progressed, and I still believe Miami would have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals if Whiteside hadn’t gotten hurt against Toronto.
Like anything with Hassan, it’s normally in between the ears where you worry about his development. You just have to hope that his focus is there consistently. The Heat believes he’s ready for that next step and so do I.
Are you ready for some Heat basketball?
See you from the Bahamas in two weeks. Basketball season is almost here.