After being labeled as the villains of the NBA, the 'Big Three' of the Miami Heat finally were able to come out on top last season to win the second title for Dwayne Wade, and the long awaited first ring for LeBron James and Chris Bosh.
Now it's back to the drawing board as they head into next season with stiffer competition around the league.
This off season the Heat made some impressive moves of their own to bring in the likes of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, but now they must contend with other teams that followed their blueprint to create a championship contender.
The new look Los Angeles Lakers team is one that made big improvements this off season with the acquisition of Steve Nash, Antawn Jamison, Jodie Meeks and Dwight Howard.
As his teammate Bosh did, Wade put in his own two cents about the reloaded Los Angeles Lakers squad and their chances next season.
Wade acknowledged the talent of the revamped Lakers, but also went on to say that they'll have to make it work. If anyone in the league knows what the Lakers will be going through in terms finding a way to have good chemistry amongst superstars, it would be Wade.
Wade went on to say that he's ready for the challenge the Lakers will bring via an interview with Sam Gardner of FoxSportsFlorida.com:
"There are a lot of teams anxious and waiting on the season to start, and they're not necessarily concerned whether (the Lakers) are going to figure it out or not," Wade said. "They're worried about themselves, but we understand that they're going to be a very good team, and we're ready for the challenge."
Heading into the upcoming season, all eyes will be on the projected favorites of the Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder and defending NBA champion Heat. Miami still has the edge in terms of being favored to win it all again next year, but the Lakers and the Thunder aren't to far behind.
