| Talent And Concerns: Breaking Down Miami's Roster Authored by Warren Shaw - August 12, 2008 - 12:45 pm
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Two seasons later that optimism has turned into concern as Wade has been stopped by injuries, O’Neal is now taking in the sun in Phoenix and Riley has relinquished his coaching duties to rookie Erik Spoelstra.
Last season the Heat were mired with injuries, finishing 15-67, which gave them the league’s worst record and the most ping pong balls in May's NBA Draft Lottery. They received much ridicule around the league for fielding what many considered to be a D-League team by the end of the season.
Spoelstra takes over with a somewhat talented, but undersized roster with many questions.
With restricted free agent Chris Quinn, the well-traveled Marcus Banks (four teams in five years) and second-round surprise Mario Chalmers the Heat have no clear-cut starter at point guard.
However, Chalmers may have something to prove coming into camp after slipping into the second round in this June's draft. Throwing him into the starting lineup will provide him with the needed experience to develop, and he has the most upside of any of point guard on Miami's roster.
Banks came to Miami as a bonus in the trade that sent Shaq to Phoenix in exchange for Shawn Marion. The Heat might unload Banks if they can find a taker for his nearly $4 million in salary. That may be unlikely though, as Banks has yet to impress any team enough to keep him around more than two seasons.
Quinn finished last season as the starter by default and averaged 15 points, 6.6 assists and 3.8 rebounds over the last eight games and might have the inside track as the starter this season should he return.
Dwyane Wade, who is currently on his own personal redemption mission with Team USA, was only able to play in 51 games due to injury last season. Wade is a true superstar, who is unchallenged at the two guard position. However, The Heat need Wade to lower his average of 4.39 turnovers per game and return to his Finals MVP form of 3 seasons ago.
Daequan Cook is currently the primary back up to Wade. Cook will give them more of an outside threat in the rare moments Wade is resting.
Restricted free agent Dorell Wright has yet to accept a $2.4 million dollar qualifying offer from the team as he hoping that number will increase. Wright is a talented player, but is reluctant to be more of an offensive threat. If he can show improvement on his jumper and aggressiveness, he could play a prominent role off the bench for the Heat at both the shooting guard and small forward position.
Shawn Marion will play his more natural position (small forward) this season and should provide solid numbers across the board. The Heat reportedly tried to trade Marion this offseason, but have been unsuccessful in working out a deal. However, that could all change before the season begins.
Marion will be backed up by the sharp-shooting James Jones, who finished third in the league in three-point percentage (44%) last season. Wright might also see some time at small forward if Jones struggles. The Heat claimed Bobby Jones off waivers from the Knicks and signed former Nuggets swingman Yakhouba Diawara as insurance in case they are unable to re-sign Wright. Jones and Diawara shouldn't see too much time in lineup, unless injuries decimate the Heat again this season.
Optimism returned to Miami when they were able to select Michael Beasley with the second overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft. Beasley is their power forward of the present and future. He is a Rookie of the Year candidate, who will give the Heat an inside presence offensively. He is also good enough to play pick-and-pop with Wade and knock down eighteen-footers with relative ease.
Udonis Haslem has been the mainstay at power forward for the last five seasons, but will more than likely be asked to play out of position at center unless a trade is agreed upon. Haslem, Mark Blount and Joel Anthony will all see time at center and will be backups to Beasley at power forward.
Unfortunately, none of them are natural centers and it is quite possible the Heat will play this trio out of position all season long. Blount just does not have the commitment to rebounding that the Heat will need from him. He has averaged 4.69 rebounds per game over his career compared to Haslem’s mark of 8.05.
There is also a slim chance that Alonzo Mourning might return if he is able to rehab his knee. His return, if at all, would not likely come until December or January.
The good news is the Heat have depth at just about every position. The bad news is that overall, the Heat lack size and do not have a definitive answer at the point guard and center positions.
Wade is the team's only true playmaker, while rebounding and interior defense are likely to be concerns all year long. Spoelstra might be forced to implore a running offense, as Marion is the only good on the ball defender they have. Wade is known to get some highlight worthy blocks, but they often come as a help defender.
Is a healthy Wade, the all-around talent of Marion and the potential of Beasley enough to carry this team back to the Eastern Conference elite?
Spoelstra will need to be just as innovative as Riley once was to make that a possibility. |
