NBA preview 2011-12: Meet the Heat
Posted December 25, 2011 10:39 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Preseason has begun in Miami and things are a lot different than a year ago.
At this stage last year, all eyes were on the Heat as they had basically stolen all the headlines when the Big 3 (Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh) teamed up in Miami.
However with the dramatic trade of Chris Paul to the Clippers, the Knicks acquisitions of Tyson Chandler and Baron Davis as well as the ongoing drama with the Lakers, the spotlight has shifted from Miami to other locales.
That’s not to say that this is the exact same team that took the floor last year and advanced all the way to the NBA Finals before falling to the Dallas Mavericks, but at 2-1 odds the Heat are heavy favourites to return to the finals and take the prize home this season. (For those that are concerned, the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder are next up at 13-2 while last year’s regular season champs, the Bulls, are 7-1 odds). As the Heat are the team to beat (rhyme intended), we thought we would give you a look at the players that comprise the NBA’s glamour gang.
Guards
Dwyane Wade — The team’s leader and the main reason James and Bosh came to Miami. Wade is almost unstoppable off the dribble and draws fouls in bunches. Not the best defender, but he gets the job done.
Mario Chalmers — Still not sure how Miami made it through the summer without upgrading at point guard. They tried at the end of last season by picking up Mike Bibby on the cheap but he was on his last legs. They still have one move left to make in their backcourt. Chalmers is a decent enough option but not the great shooter this team really needs at this position.
Eddie House — Now entering his 13th year in the NBA, the much-travelled House will start the campaign where he spent a good chunk of last season’s — on the disabled list. He is a fearless, streaky shooter who played almost 20 minutes per game last season. Can heat up and win a game for Miami, or cool off and shoot them out of a game as well.
Norris Cole — After starring for four seasons at Cleveland St., Cole was picked 28th overall in the 2011 draft by the Chicago Bulls before being dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves who shipped him to Miami. Unless someone else is signed between now and the beginning of the season, he will get an opportunity to strut his stuff at some point over the course of the season.
Forwards
LeBron James — I suspect that we all know what James is about at this point. Still the top player in the league, questions remain about how he performs in the clutch as he was a key reason why Miami was unable to win the title last season, and the season prior while with Cleveland.
Chris Bosh — Questions persist as to whether Bosh is the right fit with this Heat team. He has a solid mid-range game and tends to float away from the basket a little more than he should. But Bosh is still a very talented player who averaged 18.7 points and 8.3 rebounds last year. With Zydrunas Ilgauskas having retired and Jamaal Magloire having moved north to Toronto, he may have to enter the paint a little more this season.
Shane Battier — The Heat’s biggest offseason addition was signed to add some depth and versatility to the lineup. Considered to be a great glue guy, Battier is questionable for the team’s opener because of a strained muscle in his left leg.
Udonis Haslem — The power forward only appeared in 13 games a year ago and his absence was missed. He is not afraid to do the dirty work for a team full of stars. Like Bosh, Haslem may have to spend some time at centre if the team decides to go small.
Juwan Howard — The last member of the Fab Five still playing in the NBA, Howard played in 57 games last season averaging just over 10 minutes. In the playoffs his playing time dropped but he is still a nice veteran to be able to pull off the bench in case of injury or foul trouble.
Mike Miller — Much like Eddie House, Miller missed a large chunk of last season because of injury and will again start this season on the sidelines. It’s a shame because if he could stay healthy he is a solid compliment to the team’s stars, as he is considered one of the league’s best shooters.
Centres
Joel Anthony — The lone Canadian (and international player) remaining on the Heat after Magloire left town, Anthony is a little undersized for an NBA centre but he is long, will block shots and rebound. Not a star but a nice plugger for the Heat.
Dexter Pittman — The second-year centre out of Texas has looked solid in preseason and will back up Anthony. Pittman may fall down the pecking order if Eddy Curry rediscovers his game. He may miss the opener due to a strained leg muscle.
Eddy Curry — Best known for being signed to one of the worst contracts in NBA history, it is hard to remember that Curry was actually a decent NBA centre at one time. His career looked to be over when he was traded to the Timberwolves last February as part of the Carmelo Anthony deal and he was subsequently bought out. He will miss at least the team’s opener due to a strained hip flexor.
