The Miami Heat are champions of the NBA for the second straight season and with LeBron James winning the MVP for the finals for the second year in a row as well, is the biggest challenge to the team next season for a third title the Chicago Bulls as Derrick Rose returns?
LeBron James is clearly the best player in the league, but with Chris Bosh receding into himself on the offensive side of the ball and Dwyane Wade adding more wear and tear to his knees, the Heat could be vulnerable next season. The team dropped the first game against the Bulls in the playoffs and while Rose didn't play, the team matched up well with Miami and that could mean trouble next year as they try for three championships in a row.
In the Eastern conference no team has come close to getting past the Heat apart from the Celtics and the Pacers this past season when they went to seven games in the conference finals, but after another championship, every team in the league will be gunning for Miami. If Rose returns and is back in MVP form, the Bulls will be a contender in the East, while the Pacers proved they have a deep team and can play with Miami. Names like Roy Hibbert, Paul George, George Hill and Lance Stephenson will get even better and on top of that they still have Danny granger coming back from injury. The Knicks could challenge if they make more moves, but even if they don't, their fans will be delusional enough to think they can do it. The Pacers are likely the second threat behind the Bulls depending on how injuries play out and if the Heat want a third title, they have moves to make themselves, as Rashard Lewis didn't work out and they also have to decide on Birdman and Mario Chalmers.
James was fantastic in the finals and his Game 6 performance was one for the ages with a triple double and some clutch plays to keep the Spurs from winning. San Antonio came as close as any team could without winning the title and now James will have to come back and try again. Game 7 was close and James sealed it with his jumper at the end to put the team up four points with less than 30 seconds left in the game. James finished with another great game of 37 points and 12 rebounds and took home his second straight finals MVP as the Heat won 95-88. Next season for the three-peat may end up coming down to Miami and Chicago in the NBA East finals with Rose as the biggest thing in the King's way.
