what one area or position do the raps need to improve in to beat Cleveland head to head

[Barolt]

Obviously has something to do with playing for OKC as well, since his WS/48 in Utah was not good.

For sure, Westbrook and Durant have an undeniable effect on their teammates, they make guys a lot better.

[Mapko]

Huh? Why would that work for Wade? Some teams will be willing to offer him $25M range per year. He's too old to re-up a new deal a few years from now, he needs to make this contract count as it's likely his last one.

With his knees he is not (IMO) getting 4 years, 100 mil deal.
So 10,10,25,25 (as opposed to 20,20,15,15, which is perhaps closer to his value).

[Demographic Shift]

The 2nd best center in the league (who is only 26) just fell into their laps. Riley would be an idiot to just let him walk, at least in my humble opinion. I see zero chance of Durant leaving OKC to play with Bosh and Dragic. Definite tough spot unless Riley can pull off the miracle of getting Wade to agree to a small contract so they have the room to max out Whiteside.

Reilly will make his pitch to KD but I too see Durant sticking with OKC. More reasons to stay than to go.

And when KD says thanks but no thanks then Reilly has to make a hard choice between Hassan and Wade.

My gut says since Wade is Mr. Heat and unless he says he is going to retire then its pretty hard to see the Heat not re-upping Wade for one more contract. Its a tough call for Reilly as Wade's best days are behind him and Whiteside has shown he isn't a fluke. Just not enough dough to go around.

[Primer]

With his knees he is not (IMO) getting 4 years, 100 mil deal.
So 10,10,25,25 (as opposed to 20,20,15,15, which is perhaps closer to his value).

You can't give a contract like that, the max raises are 7.5%. So best you could do starting with 10 is 10, 10.75, 11.56, 12.43, or essentially a 4 year $45M deal. No chance he takes something like that when he could get $25M per year from someone. Wade is still playing really freaking good and he's a Hall of Famer. Just put up 28pts, 7 reb, 5 ast against the Bulls tonight. Averaging 18.2 pts, 4 reb, 4.5 ast on the season. There will be tons of teams with cap space so Wade will get the big money from someone, and probably have multiple teams bidding on him.

If the Heat want to keep Wade, they need to deal Whiteside right now for some draft picks. Boston, per usual, seems like a very good trade partner.

[3inthekeon]

Never realized this before.

Kawhi Leonard is the 2nd youngest Spur - only Kyle Anderson is younger.

Over half our roster is younger than Kawhi.