Detroit's Fall May Not be Good for the Heat

I might be the only one that is going to say this but, I think that Detroit's loss to the Cavaliers is not good. Not for the NBA, and not for the Miami Heat.

Not good for the NBA because it will not get a chance to display the best two teams in the league. That was the Western Conference semifinals, but the Suns were not allowed to really showcase themselves as they suffered a controversial summons from the big wigs upstairs. We all know that. But the Cavs and Pistons were two teams that benefited more from a misguided Bulls team - and an arrogant and gimpy Heat team - than they did from their own talents. The Cavs are a one man show, and peaked this season with their series win over the Pistons. They will disappear into thin air like Lebron's pregame ritual - witness that.

The Pistons are really the 2nd best team in the East - behind the Heat - but would offer a better challenge to the Spurs than the Cavs could possibly dream up. They matchup better, they are more experienced and have faced the Spurs in teh Finals before (2005), yet the Cavs exposed the Pistons for the overconfident wreck they are.

Truthfully, I could care less who wins the title because it was not the Heat - who had a legit shot at it but couldn't "turn it on" when they needed to. Mission failed. That said, the Cavs will not even put up much of a fight for the Spurs, whereas the Pistons would have at least made it interesting. Detroit's loss was bad for the NBA.

But for Miami? Yes, Detroit's failure to advance to the Finals was bad for them, too.

How? Well, on the surface of things, it would seem that the demise and possible breakup of the Pistons would be good for Miami. Well, it does seem that way. The problem, however, is it could make Pat Riley think that the team could stand pat again and actually stand a pretty good chance of getting back to the Finals themselves.

With Detroit out of the picture, Miami (almost by default) is the lone juggernaut in the East. Every other team - Cleveland included - is going to be viewed as incomplete which will only underscore any delusions of grandeur Miami might start to suffer from.

This would be a grave miscalculation. Miami has to retool and improve the supporting cast. It doesn't have to be drastic, but it does need to happen. They have to refuel and acquire players that are going to be hungry and capable enough to help win a title. The Heat are going to have to get younger, leaner, meaner, and yes, more athletic. Despite Detroit's possible collapse and breakup, Miami has to step it up in order to get over the hump they created for themselves this season.

Detroit's demise might actually deflate the sense of urgency Miami may have been feeling. The embarrassment of losing a first round series to a lower seeded team and getting swept in the process has to remain fresh. The fact that Cleveland is in the Finals should burn the cerebral cortex of everyone in the Heat organization. Not because Cleveland is a bad team, but because Miami is better. And that alone may give them a dangerous false sense of confidence.