1. Kyle Lowry, Miami Heat
When it became clear that Lowry was going to continue his basketball career elsewhere, Masai Ujiri worked tirelessly to ensure that he would end up in a spot that could help him contend for a championship. Miami has become the best team in the East during Lowry’s debut season.
While Lowry has not been on the active roster for Miami in their second-round series against the 76ers due to an injury, he is just as integral to their roster as he was during the regular season. With that sort of experience and edge in their lineup, the Heat could easily come out of the East.
Toronto Raptors legend Kyle Lowry could get his second ring.
Spoelstra already got the Heat to the Finals without Lowry two years ago, but they were quickly dispatched of. As good as Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are, they are going to need that tertiary two-way force that keeps the lineup unified against the best teams from the West.
Lowry’s ring in Toronto confirmed that he is capable of leading a team to a title. If he gets a second one with Miami, the future Hall of Famer will need to be discussed as one of the greatest point guards to ever play this game. The trophy case is just getting too big to ignore.