Why do you hate the Heat, America?

The NBA’s best legal tampering period is right around the corner and Miami is being left out.

USA Basketball Men’s National Team Training Camp opens in Las Vegas on August 5th. And so far, there’s been zero mention of any Miami Heat players – specifically Bam Adebayo and Justise Winslow – being invited to participate. Now, that could change. Guys are seemingly dropping out every second.

But we all know the national biased against Heat players.

A month ago, Josh Richardson was just “a nice player” to some. Yet the second he’s traded to Philly everybody loves him, even Team USA apparently. So, it feels safe to say the roster will pretty much remain as it currently stands. And that is a damn shame. Not just for Bam and Justise, who deserve to be in Vegas, but for the Miami Heat organization.

USA Basketball isn’t just patriotic, it’s strategic. Besides All-Star weekend, where else can you find the game’s best talents training together, in a single gym? And fans in Miami know all about the benefits of great players spending ample time together, on and off the court. Yes, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James were friends before USA Basketball. But it was the Gold-Medal winning Redeam Team that really strengthened their bond. It also served as a trial run for what would become the eventual Big 3 in Miami with Chris Bosh, another USA Basketball running mate.

Great players want to play with other great players. They notice who gets the accolades and attention. That stuff matters. That’s why when Jerry Colangelo (Director of USA Basketball) calls, players should ALWAYS answer.

Now I’m not saying that if you send Bam and Winslow to Vegas for practice they’re coming back to Miami with another All-Star. But I am saying that putting them in a competitive environment amongst elite talent, will only further elevate their game. More importantly, their contacts around the league. If I’m the Miami Heat, I want Justise to go to Team USA practice and prove that his PointGOD skills have gotten much #Better. And just imagine the OoooooooOOOOooooo echoing around the gym as Bam throws down a breakaway dunk.

Everyone in the gym will walk away saying – I need to go to Miami and play with those guys!

So fine, have it your way America. Bam and Justise will sit this one out while Marcus Smart and Thaddeus Young represent our country.

Hopefully USA Basketball will have a brighter future.

Important Update: WE DID IT!!!