08-09 Team Preview: Miami HEAT edition

The Miami HEAT are coming off of a horrific 15-67 season that was plagued by injuries and instability. Shaquille O'Neal was rarely in uniform, and Dwyane Wade played only 51 games for the second straight season. Nearing the end of the year, the HEAT severed their ties with O'Neal (the man largely responsible for their one NBA championship) in a deal that brought Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to Miami. This marked the end of an era, and a beginning of a new one. After landing the second pick in this year's NBA draft, the HEAT also added one of the most talented players of the draft class in forward Michael Beasley. With this re-vamped and significantly more athletic roster the HEAT should be an exciting team to watch this season.

Key Additions
Michael Beasley (Drafted no. 2)
Mario Chalmers (Drafted no. 34)
Yakhouba Diawara (from Nuggets)
James Jones (from Blazers)
Jamaal Magloire (from Mavs)

Key Losses
Ricky Davis (to Clippers)
Jason Williams (to Clippers - then retired)
Earl Barron (to Fortitudo Bologna - Italy)

What to be excited about

Back to the Future
If this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing were any indication, Dwyane Wade is back and in full effect. Wade led the USA in scoring with 16 ppg in only about 19 minutes a game. He looked to have regained the DWade swagger of old, and had the explosiveness to go alongside it. Everyone I talk to is fully expecting Wade to be back in full effect, as long as he can stay healthy. The HEAT desperately need his leadership and presence on the floor this season, and I don't think he will disappoint.

The Rook
The HEAT landed a gem of a prospect in Kansas State's Michael Beasley. He is arguably the most NBA-ready player in the draft, and should give the HEAT another solid scoring option on offense. He has a silky smooth mid-range game, and has a great combination of strength and finesse to operate effectively in the post. He is a bit of a positional tweener, not fitting the traditional mold of a small or power forward, but the Heat will welcome his versatility and talent with open arms. I'm envisioning a front-court of Beasley alongside Shawn Marion and Udonis Haslem. While they won't be out-muscling the opposition, it would be an offensively dynamic trio with the ability to get up and down in transition. To give you some sense of his own expectations, Beasley isn't even thinking about the Rookie of the Year award...he's thinking league MVP. Of course, that is a stretch for any sane person, but at least the guy believes in himself.


Areas of concern

The point guard position
When there is a three way battle for the starting point-guard position between unproven rookie Mario Chalmers, inexperienced Chris Quinn (26 total starts) and Marcus Banks (37 starts over five seasons), your team might be in trouble. Don't get me wrong, I think that all of these guys deserve spots on NBA squads and can be solid contributors. But do I feel comfortable with them going head-to-head with Chris Paul, Steve Nash or Deron Williams for the better part of a game? Absolutely not. Don't be surprised to see a point-guard by committee system implemented this season. However, having Wade in the backcourt as well certainly will take some of the playmaking burden off of whoever is chosen to run the point for this team.

The injury bug
Of course we know Wade's history with injuries, but the injury bug has already bitten some of the HEAT's top offseason acquisitions. Center Jamaal Magloire, who was expected to compete for a starting position, broke his left hand in a preseason game, shelfing him for six weeks. Small forward James Jones, who was so instrumental in the success of the Portland Trail Blazers last season, underwent surgery to repair a ruptured extensor tendon in his right wrist. His surgery will keep him out of action for around three months.


Overall Verdict

The HEAT will be much better than they were last season, and should have a drastic improvement in the win-column. As Dwyane Wade goes, the HEAT go - so if he can stay healthy, I think the HEAT will have a legitimate opportunity to make the playoffs as a low seed. I'm predicting a season that lands them right around a .500 record. In years past, that has been more than enough to get you into the East postseason - but that might not be the case this year.


Up next in the NBA Noise 08-09 Team Preview: Milwaukee Bucks