Hooped Up

A team-by-team preview of all 30 NBA teams heading into the 2008 – 2009 season, Hooped Up style.

Miami Heat
After a forgettable season in 07-08 the Heat hope to bounce back with a healthy gold medal winning Dwyane Wade.  The upside of being terrible was the high draft pick of talented forward Michael Beasley, who makes Haslem expendable if the right deal comes along. Shawn Marion will put up good numbers despite who’s on the court, and Marcus Banks, Shaun Livingston and Mario Chalmers will give rookie head coach Erik Spoelstra plenty of options at the point guard spot.

Will the Heat improve on last years record? Of course silly!

Projected Starters: PG – Marcus Banks / SG – Dwyane Wade / SF – Shawn Marion / PF – Udonis Haslem / C –  Mark Blount

Additions: Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers, Shaun Livingston, James Jones, Jamaal Magloire, Yakhouba Diawara, David Padgett, Jason Richards, Eddie Basden, Omar Barlett

Losses: Jason Williams, Ricky Davis, Earl Barron, Stephane Lasme, Alexander Johnson, Bobby Jones, Matt Walsh

Projected Wins: 35+

Team Theme Song: Rick Ross feat. R.Kelly – Speedin’
Wade, Banks, Marion and Beasley are quick fast! The fast break in Miami will be fun to watch and often used.

Overall
Beasley will be in the starting line up before the all-star break, Dwyane Wade will have an amazing season, Shaun Livingston will make a few GM’s regret they didn’t sign him, Shawn Marion will be an eastern conference all-star and defensive minded Joel Anthony will supplant fellow Canuck Jamaal Magloire as the back up to Mark Blount but that isn’t saying much for a very thin front court. This season will be a tought one but the Heat will be better than last year at least.

In a wide open east they’ll still be on the bubble to make the playoffs but, things look a lot sunnier in Miami these days.