It is the caveat with every team’s lofty goals entering the NBA season — “if they are healthy…”
The Miami Heat’s goals are as lofty as they get, but the team does not enter training camp healthy.
Both Dwyane Wade (knee) and Ray Allen (ankle) are not all the way back from off-season surgery, coach Erik Spoelstra confirmed when he sat down with the media Thursday. But both could be ready when the season starts.
Here is what Spoelsra said about Wade, via Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel.
As for Ray Allen, the prognosis for the sharpshooter is a little better.
In both cases, look for the Heat to be cautious. Because for all the lip service Spoelstra will give to the importance of training camp and the regular season, what he really needs is those guys healthy late in the season and the playoffs. That’s a long way off, but you don’t want a lingering, chronic thing. So things will go slow for the veterans in camp. Which is probably how they like it anyway.