Miami Heat Season Preview

Miami Heat

2014 Record: 37-45

2015 O/U: 45.5

Who are their stars?

The remains of the Heatles are still here. In the wake of Lebron James this team was able to grab Goran Dragic and be right back in it. You wouldn’t consider Dragic the star of the team, but he is going to be the ball handler and the floor general and he is a strong defender in a point guard heavy league. In the inside to compliment Dragic is another scorer in Chris Bosh. Bosh went from the 3rd wheel to most talented player last year, and it was going well for him, and okay for Miami until he went down with a shocking injury. Bosh was unable to play any games with Dragic and I cannot lie I am excited to see the fit. It is funny; because while these two are the most talented on the team it will still be Dwyane Wades’ team. Wade has become the hero of Miami and the guy who will spend his entire career there. Wade is still talented but in his last four seasons has played 49, 69, 53, and 62 games, and has had his minutes fall from 34, to 32, to 31 per game. I would expect similar, 50 games around 30 minutes, but when he plays it has been quality. With Bosh having a rare issue, and Wade it is easy to point to injuries holding this team back, but health aside the Heat are right back in the thick of things.

Who are the glue guys?

The Heat are assembled to have one of the stronger sets of role players, and a lot them end of up being more of rotational players, but all seem to have a strong role in Eric Spoelstas’ system. Luol Deng, and Hassan Whiteside however, are two guys who will start beside their big three, and they both have some nice upside going for them. Deng has been the ultimate glue guy in the past, and has even made himself an all-star game in years past. At 30, the Bulls seemed to think time passed him by a year or so ago, but he had a nice bounce back season last year in Miami, and if he can give them one or two more this team is great shape. Deng is not going to be relied on as a scorer aside from the corner three here and there and focusing all of his energy on defense really helps a guy like Wade on the wing. Having a guy like Whiteside protect the rim is another help for not only Wade, who may let guards passed him, but also Bosh, who now at 31 doesn’t have to bang in the post as a big man. Whiteside is a strong rim protector, and averaged a double-double with 11 points. Whiteside was found out of nowhere, but what better environment could cause a breakout than Riley, Spo, Wade, and Bosh? I am expecting even better as he blends with Bosh and when healthy, this starting five will compete with anybody.

Who are the rotational guys?

The team has themselves some solid Whiteside protection. Bosh should be committed to the four as they have guys like Josh McRoberts, and Amare Stoudamire who can score at the five, and also Udonis Haslem and Birdman Anderson who can defend the big men. It is a talented rotation behind potentially a talented frontcourt, and if the minutes are controlled right, this team is strong. Mario Chalmers goes from starter in the finals, to bench point guard, and honestly it should bring his most efficient basketball. Justice Winslow is only 19, but in his rookie year brings similar skills to Deng and can aid him in defense. The teams biggest question, aside from Wade, is what would happen if he was out for weeks, months, series? Gerald Green is nice in the bench role behind Wade, because he bring tempo that Wade doesn’t, and guys like Tyler Johnson, rookie Josh Richardson, and James Ennis can all fill minutes when Wade is out for short periods, but if this the guard crew heading into the playoffs it will be a stretch. If Winslow can prove he can defend wings by April, I would expect him to get minutes beside Deng in defensive lineups, but it then leaves them short on small forwards. It is the only flaw on a team that can go far, but how the guards develop is key to watch.

Where do they rank? Over Under? How far do they go?

I see myself being too low, and I see myself being too high. It all comes down to health with this team and I am not one to predict that. What I can predict is this team making the playoffs. If Wade is good to go, and Bosh is healthy this team can make noise as loud as any team, if not they will be a first round flame out. Guys like Whiteside, and Winslow are key because if they can bring quality minutes it gives them depth to match quality teams.

Over 45.5, 4th in the Eastern Conference, 10th in the NBA