It has been some time since the Miami Heat has won anything of consequence. But imagine if it wins the NBA's other postseason prize -- the draft lottery, to be held May 22.

Hey, we can dream, can't we?

The franchise that has endured two seasons of setbacks with Alonzo Mourning and countless bad bounces against the New York Knicks finally gets a break. What's next? What else? Bring on LeBron!

But wait.

There's a catch to this fantasy. In this draft, the top prospects are off limits. No LeBron James. No Carmelo Anthony. No Darko Milicic. If this were 2004, that might be the situation facing the team with the draft's top pick. If NBA commissioner David Stern and league owners get their way, talent will no longer be the chief determinant of one's NBA eligibility -- age will.