Ray Allen Joining the Miami Heat; How LeBron James and Co. Have Just Gotten Better

According to various news sources, Ray Allen will be making a 2012-2013 season debut in Miami, along with LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and the Heat.

Ray Allen will reportedly sign to a three-year, $9 million deal with Miami on July 11, and this move just shows how NBA players crave for the apprized NBA Championship. Allen will apparently turn down a two-year, $12 million deal from Boston because he felt the Heat gave him better chances to contend for another ring.

Allen who turns 37 in July told the world, in the Eastern conference finals against the Heat, that there was "still a lot of basketball left in [his] legs."

With Allen, Miami's game would be further solidified in terms of long range shooting.

The Heat heavily depended on its three point shooters, namely Shane Battier and Mike Miller, to clinch the series against OKC's Thunder. Both men's huge performances in key moments against Kevin Durant and Thunder significantly helped LeBron James earn his first title.

Mike Miller has been plagued with injuries to the back and the foot, and it makes all the sense for Allen, another veteran sharpshooter, to take his place.

Both Miller and Allen averaged .453 behind the 3-point line in the season, but Allen would give the Heat more minutes on the court. Miller averaged 19.3 minutes in the 2011-2012 versus Allen's 34 minutes with the Celtics.

Although Allen is not injury free (recently got ankle surgery), he is known for exceptionally keeping his body in good condition and 34 minutes per game with the Heat is not too much to ask from him.

It wouldn't be a surprise if Allen was part of the starting five along James, Wade and Bosh.

With Allen in the perimeter, teams would be faced with a very versatile Miami offensive, strong in areas that characterize championship contending teams: the paint and the perimeter.

James and Wade's unstoppable drives to the paint paired up with very effective rebounding by Bosh and consistent perimeter shooting by Allen would have Miami return as a stronger and more dangerous team for the upcoming season.

Not a Heat fan, but with the Heat's attack now up a notch, it'll be interesting to see how coaches from other teams respond to Miami's new 'Big Four'(?) offensive.