What team in the East can challenge the Heat next year?

[siuaghan]

Lets look at the top Eastern teams.

1. Chicago Bulls - Rose is injured, Noah is injured, Boozer is playing worse every year. Rose wont be back untill 2013, and the Bulls are now missing TONS of $$$ that they dont get back just because Rose is injured, they cannot sign another star to take his place, maybe a Jason Kidd/Steve Nash who is older, but thats about it. Without Rose/Noah this team could not pass the first round.

2. Magic - I don't think people understand how bad Dwights Injury is, his back may never be the same again, and with a new Coach and new players, this team might have some rebuilding to do.

3. Pacers - Amazing team, but these guys don't have a star and have contract issues.

4. Boston - Age has finnally caught up to this team, they need to rebuild. If they cant sign people, then they will not be much of a contender.

5. Knick's - This team is just cursed, between injuries, coaching problems, personal problems. Who knows, maybe they will be contenders.

All the big free agents this year D-Will, Dwight, etc, are projected to go to Western teams like Dallas.

Who is going to challenge the Heat this upcoming season?

[crosbey]

1. Rose is slated to return around the All-Star break. ACL injuries aren't what they use to be. Instead of being out for a year and a half most athletes come came back in 9 months or so. And plus these players do nothing but rehab 24/7 which helps the process. His doctor originally said he should be able to come back in February or March but then said later that rose is ahead of schedule. Also Noah's X-Rays were negative so that means there wasn't a break. There might have been a hairline fracture but he will be a full strength by december.

2. The Injury isn't as bad as you say. In normal people (who don't do rehab everyday like athletes) 50% make a full recovery to previous health within a month of after surgery and as long as there weren't complications almost all people return to full strength with in 6 months. Now Dwight will be rehabbing constantly so he will be fine when the season rolls around.

To be honest the only team that can challenge the Heat would be the Bulls. You are over reacting a little to the injuries. The only one for concern would be Rose but he should be back with 30 games left.

Also a surprise team could be the Nets. What if they keep Deron and resign there player and trade for Howard. This team could be good in 2 different scenarios next year

Option 1- D-Will resigns.
C-Lopez
PF Humphries
SF-Wallace
SG-Gerald Green
PG-Williams
Bench
Andre Kirelinko
Marshon Brooks

or Option 2- D-Will resigns and they trade for D-12

C-Howard
PF-Humphries
SF-Wallace
SG-Green
PG-Deron
Bench
Brooks
AK47

Either of those team would be playoff teams and the 2nd one would challenge the Heat. And both scenarios have about a 33% chance of happening. Either one of those 2 happen or they lose Deron and everyone else and are the worst team in the league.