Even without LeBron James,  Dwyane Wade, and Mario Chalmers, the Miami Heat have proven how scary good they can be. At this point in their dynasty, one can never say the San Antonio Spurs are ever at full strength with an aging roster, but even at full strength, the Spurs―seen as the Heat’s only real deterrent on the road to chip number two―could not handle a much handicapped Heat.
LeBron James, the Heat’s ringleader, and now the owner of his very own, has come back after a three game rest. According to coach Erik Spoelstra, the Heat have been dealing with nagging injuries―though really their record has been helped by a much disabled league. In an effort to rest his central pieces he’s allowed James, Wade, Chalmers, and Allen to rest a handful of games. James, himself, has been sidelined since March 29, from a strained hamstring that to him must feel more like a pinch.
James returned to action for Saturday’s game against Philly, to the not-so-impressive-for-LeBron tune of 27-4-5. Wade still remains sidelined, and seems to be the player fans are most worried about. Dealing with swelling of the knee, Wade has missed six of Miami’s last eight. The concern isn’t so much for his health, but for the stock of Fantasy League owners.
Before Saturday’s game against the 76ers, there was much speculation that James and co. were only resting for playoff concerns. That is, their boo-boos weren’t as bad as reported. With the league’s best record, and enough padding to their reign, it only made sense to rest their biggest stars for upped postseason performance. And though LeBron came back sooner than perhaps expected, don’t be surprised if you see him and other Heat members routinely rested before the playoffs take off.
With longtime knee issues, Wade might very well sit out another two games. And James, usually carrying the load, will probably see another bench game before the regular season comes to a close.
Fantasy League owners take note.
