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HEAT CONTINUNITY: Dwyane Wade is a two-time world champion now, as is Udonis Haslem, by the way. They're the only two players left from that club in Miami. But the core of the coaching staff remains. Erik Spoelstra was an assistant then under Pat Riley; he's the sideline boss now. Ron Rothstein, Keith Askins and Bob McAdoo remain assistants from that 2006 team. And Riley is still the team president. Players are the key to any title. But in Miami, it seems like few Heat employees ever actually want to leave. Don't think prospective free agents fail to notice that.
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AND WHO WINS IN 2013? Too early for a finals prediction for next year? Oh, why not. Miami will have its share of challenges next season. The offseason will be short, the demands will be many, and there's likely no way Wade, James and Bosh will grind their way through so much of next year the way they did this one. But Derrick Rose's status is murky at best. Boston may change dramatically. Indiana should be good again. Will Philadelphia take the next step? Or the Knicks, even? And out West, will Kobe Bryant make one more run? San Antonio is San Antonio. And the Thunder will be both talented and driven. Maybe it's too simple, but look for a finals rematch next year. It'll go seven games. Winner is the team who'll be at home for Game 7. And with that, we declare this season complete.
[Associated Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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