The Heat are currently on the top of the NBA universe, but the frightening thing for the rest of the NBA is that they could be getting significantly better over the offseason. According to a number of reports, Ray Allen is expected to sign with Miami at some point in the near future. In terms of places to close out his Hall of Fame career, Miami has to be the best possible scenario for arguably the best three-point shooter in NBA history.
If the Heat had one glaring problem on offense this season, it was a lack of consistent shooting from the outside. Shane Battier is their most reliable shooter. Mike Miller filled that role off the bench in spurts — particularly in the clinching game of the NBA Finals — but back injuries plagued him throughout the season and prevented him from being that guy all the time. Allen is also coming off ankle surgery, but you have to believe he’d be a more reliable option than Miller.
For the Heat, Allen would play the same role he played for the Celtics when they won the title in 2008. At age 36, it can only benefit Ray to be on a team with two slashers like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. There would simply be no way to efficiently guard LeBron and D-Wade while also keeping tabs on where Allen is on the perimeter. If teams thought the Heat were too much to handle this season, a healthy Allen on the court with Battier could create nightmares.
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