5 Miami Heat Players Who Will Lose Playing Time in 2012-13

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The Miami Heat have not made many moves to re-arm themselves for their title defense this coming season.

However, the few moves they did make will have an effect on the distribution of minutes across this stacked roster. The arrival of Ray Allen from Boston obviously causes the biggest change in minute distribution and the additions of Rashard Lewis and Josh Harrellson also have an impact.

As well as new arrivals, there are other reasons for players losing playing time.

For the most part, the Heat's star players will still be playing their usual minutes, but there will be subtle differences in this roster that could make all the difference.

No. 5: Shane Battier

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Shane Battier was one of Miami's key players in their title run. His defense and shot-making helped them break down and beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals.

However, the arrival of Rashard Lewis means that Battier's minutes will probably decline some in the new season. Lewis' experience trumps Battier's and lends him an advantage in bigger games.

Lewis, however, is not as good offensively as Battier. He will clearly still fulfill a need on this roster.

No. 4: Joel Anthony

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Joel Anthony may lose all of his minutes some nights depending on the performance of newly-acquired journeyman Josh Harrellson.

Anthony is a center who is not noted for scoring on anything other than dunks or put-backs. Harrellson is a center who can shoot three-pointers.

Harrellson's aptitude for the three makes him a real asset to the Heat's positionless system as he can then vacate the paint to let LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh operate with more space.

I don't expect Harrellson to be raining in threes, but he will certainly be taking minutes from Joel Anthony.

No. 3: Mario Chalmers

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Although Mario Chalmers grew into a vital piece of Miami's title-winning team last season, his minutes largely depend on the progression of backup point guard Norris Cole.

Chalmers will still command the majority of minutes at point guard. Should he fail to continue his impressive performance from the NBA Finals, however, and should Norris Cole continue to show signs of shedding his rawness and becoming a true point guard, Chalmers could find his minutes declining.

Cole is a terrific talent and, should he continue to get better, will eventually challenge for the starting role and rightly so. His blend of sheer speed, athleticism and explosiveness make him a real spark plug on offense. He is able to break down his man with a burst of speed when the offense is stalling.

Chalmers will need to be at his best to keep Cole behind him on the depth chart this season.

No. 2: Chris Bosh

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Chris Bosh will be losing minutes this season but not many.

As mentioned previously, Josh Harrellson will be taking minutes from the centers on the roster, a position Bosh ended up being deployed in as last season wore on.

This addition allows Bosh to be kept fresh when facing those tough opponents. It also allows Harrellson to spread the floor more and for James and Wade to penetrate the painted area and get those easy, high-percentage looks close to the rim.

Bosh will only give up less than five minutes per game to Harrellson, but it could make the difference in him not feeling burnt out by the end of an 82-game marathon season.

No. 1: Dwyane Wade

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Like Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade won't be losing many minutes this season either.

Unlike Chris Bosh, Wade will be losing some minutes due to age as well as new additions.

Ray Allen has landed in South Beach and will definitely make resting Wade easier to stomach for Miami. They can now deploy one of the greatest pure shooters the game has ever known in Allen.

Wade missed some time last year with various little injuries and opted to miss the Summer Olympics in London to rest up and recover for this season. 

This is probably due to the incredible battering Wade's body has taken over the years as he carried the Heat pre-LeBron James. Wade's body has so many minutes on it that this could be the beginning of an injury-filled period for the shooting guard.

He has shown no signs of missing significant time, but the specter of serious injury will be enough to limit Wade's minutes a little more this season.

With Ray Allen in reserve, there is no harm in doing so.