South Beach Showtime: A New Dawn For The Miami Heat in 2008/09

With Pat Riley having stepped down and no aging, overweight, pompous center to be found (shaq tell me how my a** tastes) the Miami Heat are ready to get out and run.  This year the Heat could become what the Phoenix Suns were before they traded their best perimeter defender for the Big Cactus (HaHaHaHaHa thank you Steve Kerr - sucker).  It is time for South Beach Showtime!

An uptempo style of play makes perfect sense for a team with superior athletes like Wade, Marion, Beasley and Wright.  There current starting center Mark Blount (by default) would stretch the defense with his 3pt range rather than be forced to bang around inside the paint.  Chris Quinn and Marcus Banks have shown that they also can hit the open 3 which is crucial to this system.  The Heat have the necessary superstar in D-Wade, a lock down defender in Matrix, and a match-up nightmare in Beasley.

Of course the Heat still need to address the point guard spot.  Signing Chris Duhon a pass first fundamentally sound guard who could have a break out season if given the starting role.  It would give the team another playmaker and help take the pressure off D-Wade.  Offer him the mid-level exception for 2 years with a player's option for the 3rd, he'll bolt from Chicago.

If Alonzo Mourning returns for one more season (which he will), the Heat will have the final piece of the puzzle (one that Phoenix never had) a defensive minded big who even at 38 is capable of guarding any center in the league. 

2008-09 Heat Roster

C- Mark Blount

PF- Michael Beasley

SF- Shawn Marion

SG- Dwayne Wade

PG- Chris Duhon

Bench- Udonis Haslem, Dorell Wright, Marcus Banks, Mario Chamlers, Alonzo Mourning

No more stale half-court offense its time to run.  This new system will bring greater passion from the players and the fans.  It is time for South Beach Showtime!

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?