Last year following a first round ousting at the hands of the Boston Celtics in five games, Dwyane Wade said, “This will be my last first-round exit for a while.” Obviously, he knew reinforcements were on the way.

After a dramatic start the season that included press conferences following each game that felt like the type of hoops endoscopy normally reserved for the postseason, the Heat figured it out and won 58 games. And they swept their season series against the 76ers, with Wade averaging 30.7 points, James averaging 22.7 points, and Bosh 17.7 points.

In short, if they somehow don’t get out of the first round, the vicious media swarm will be the equivalent of guessing the right play in Tecmo Bowl.