NBA Miami Heat

Miami Heat Transforming Into NBA Contenders

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By @ShaneRantSports

Kelley L. Cox

Kelley L. Cox

As soon as LeBron James announced his departure from South Beach, everyone and their mothers wrote off the Miami Heat even as contenders in a weak NBA East. With the All-Star Game quickly approaching, that did appear to be the case as the Heat remained below .500 and barley hold on to a playoff birth. Then along came a young, inexperienced 7-footer, and everything changed.

Hassan Whiteside has landed and he showed the Chicago Bulls why himself and Miami should be feared. Recording his first career triple-double in merely 25 minutes with 14 PTS, 13 REB and 12 BLK. Yes, you read those numbers correctly; 12 blocks! The spectacular defensive performance dazzled with ally-oops and vicious dunks led the Heat to a  96-84 victory.

After the game, Whiteside told ESPN’s Heather Cox that he is “just trying to get his NBA 2K rating up.” With that comment, you can’t help but cheer for this kid. Not only is his 2K rating going to sky rocket, but he has helped turn the Heat into Eastern Conference Contenders.

Along with Whiteside, Dwyane Wade went on a fourth quarter tear and is proving to the league that he still has it. It has been years since we have seen Wade play like this, and it is nothing but a good sign. He looks healthy and here is a stat that proves he is: Wade is the league’s leading score in the fourth quarter with 6.5 PTS. That is the best sign Miami and Erik Spoelstra could ask for.

This is the time of year when teams want to begin to play their best basketball. The Heat are beginning to show that with a healthy Wade and an emerging Whiteside. Plus, there is nothing this franchise would like to do more than make James regret his decision to leave. That could just be the cast, as it looks like there is a new “Big 3″ in South Beach.

Shane Phillips is an NBA Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Shane on Twitter @ShaneRantSports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also email Shane at [email protected].

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