Pre-Season NBA Power Rankings

<p>The Miami Heat had a very difficult task this off-season, retaining both Hassan Whiteside and Dwayne Wade.  The team managed to retain Whiteside, but in the process lost Wade to the Chicago Bulls, and perhaps damaged the lockeroom dynamics in the process.</p> <p>In losing Wade, the Heat lost part of their soul.  How much difference wlll that make to this team?</p> <p>While the Heat is a good defensive team, they had to scrap hard to score.  Now, they haven’t access to Wade, who chipped in nearly 20 points per game.  How will the team compensate?  I don’t know that they can.</p> <p>I see four more losses, but that could be awfully optimistic.   The Heat have enough on the team to end up at .500 or better.  How much better is anybody’s guess.  I guess two wins better than .500.</p> <p><strong>Key Losses:</strong> Dwayne Wade, Luol Deng<br /> <strong>Key Gains:</strong>  Dion Waiters<br /> <strong>Key Statistic</strong>: Team offense<br /> <strong>NBA Power Rankings:</strong> 14th</p>. (42-40). Previous: . Miami Heat. 14. team. 110