2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Can the Miami Heat Win a Title Without a Legit Center?

The Miami Heat are back at it again.

Fresh off two defeats at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz, the Heat have won two in a row.

It's not surprising.

We expect the Heat to stay on cue and roll through the regular season just as they did last year.

The problem for the Heat is that they didn't win a title last year. Tyson Chandler single-handedly dominated the paint and in the process secured the Dallas Mavericks a title. The Heat looked under-sized playing Joel Anthony, Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem at center.

A year later, the Heat are surprisingly in the same position and have yet to answer the question mark at the center position. Their flaws were evident in their last two losses—being pounded on the inside by the likes of Al Jefferson of the Jazz and Andrew Bynum of the Lakers.

Sure, LeBron James will win his third MVP award. Dwyane Wade will have another All-NBA year. Miami may even finish with the best record in the league.

What about the Playoffs??? What about the center position???

Miami was able to escape Chicago in the Conference Finals last season because they have three stars instead of one, but this year won't be as easy.

Chicago is living and breathing Miami. The Bulls know they will meet the Heat again in the playoffs, and they're facing the challenge head-on.

It doesn't help the Heat that Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah provide an advantage for the Bulls in Miami's two weakest positions. Rose can be hindered at point guard by James' defense, but what about the center position? What if the Heat can't get an important board? What if the Bulls' three-point attempts actually go in this year from all those offensive rebounds?

What about the center position?

Miami worked out yet another big in Shavlik Randolph on March 8, according to CBSSports.com.

The Heat need a center and Randolph may be a key addition. Although his career numbers aren't impressive, he did post 25 ppg and 12 rpg during the lockout while playing in China.

The Heat landing a big will solidify them a championship, but they have to move fast before the trade deadline passes.

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