Miami Heat 2010 NBA Preview, Odds, and Predictions: The Miami Heat President Pat Riley took his team from South Florida to Hurlburt Field a U.S. Air Force installation on Florida’s Panhandle to start training camp after the most successful offseason in history in regard to acquiring new free agents and building a team. The Heat signed all-stars LeBron James and Chris Bosh as well as a host of other quality players to join Dwyane Wade in an effort to build a NBA championship team in Miami. LeBron has taken a lot of heat for the decision from former players Michael Jordon as well as TNT host Charles Barkley who has been especially critical and vocal pushing Riley to the limit. “Charles Barkley, to me, went way over the top. I thought way, way, way over the top,” Riley said. “I think Charles is probably the only guy in the league that can get away with what he gets away with. For some reason, he just gets away with it. And calling these guys a bunch of punks, it’s a personal attack. “They are not that. LeBron isn’t that. Dwyane is surely not that, and neither is Chris. And Charles knows that. And for him just to say that is wrong.”
Riley plans to stick with head basketball coach Eric Spoelstra and has no intent of returning to the bench as a coach. The heat added the following players to the roster for 2010:
–F LeBron James (free agent from Cavaliers)
–F Chris Bosh (free agent from Raptors)
–G Mike Miller (free agent from Wizards)
–C Zydrunas Ilgauskas (free agent from Cavaliers)
–F Juwan Howard (free agent from Trail Blazers)
–G Eddie House (free agent from Knicks)
–G Patrick Beverley (free agent from Greek League)
–F Shavlik Randolph (free agent)
–F Kenny Hasbrouck (free agent)
An impressive group that his alienated them amongst the NBA and the Media and strengthened their resolve to work hard to win a championship. The Heat started training camp only working 4 on 4 on defense as Riley feels if they can win with a solid defensive team the offense with come with all the talent on this team. Vegas insiders have the Heat as +175 odds to win the 2011 NBA championship.
The Heat open the season at the Boston Celtics with former centers Shaquille and Jermaine O’Neal now playing for Boston. Vegas insiders have the Miami Heat -215 to win the Eastern Conference.