Updated Stat Predictions for Miami Heat's Top 8 Players

A new and hopefully improved Miami Heat team will take the floor when the 2012-2013 season kicks off at the end of October. 

Some players will have their roles with the team lessened, while others will be asked to do more. 

A closing line-up of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Rashard Lewis, Chris Bosh and Ray Allen would combine for a total of 35 All-Star appearances. Needless to say, lack of talent shouldn't be an issue for this squad.

But what can we expect from each individual talent on a daily basis? No need to try and answer that for yourself, just click next.

LeBron James

25.4 Points Per Game

3.1 Turnovers Per Game

2.2 Steals Per Game

1.2 Blocks Per Game

7.5 Assists Per Game

8.9 Rebounds Per Game

82% Free Throw Percentage 

54% Field Goal Percentage 

LeBron James does it all for the Miami Heat. He plays every position for them and fills the stat sheet up game in and game out. 

That being said, I'm not sure we will ever see James average a triple-double. But he will continue to get darnn close.

We are in store for yet another MVP-like season for the reigning MVP.

Dwyane Wade

21.7 Points Per Game

2.3 Turnovers Per Game

1.9 Steals Per Game

1.6 Blocks Per Game

5.4 Assists Per Game

4.9 Rebounds Per Game

80% Free Throw Percentage

48% Field Goal Percentage 

Wade's decrease in points does not mean he has fallen off.

It's just with this many weapons on the roster, Wade won't have to go out and average 25-plus for the Heat to win.

With his body feeling better than it has in a long time after a cleansing surgery and relaxing off-season, I expect Wade to come back looking like Flash.

Hence the bump in assists, blocks and steals per game for Wade.

Chris Bosh

17.5 Points Per Game

1.9 Turnovers Per Game

.8 Steals Per Game

1.2 Blocks Per Game 

3.7 Assists Per Game

9.6 Rebounds Per Game 

84% Free Throw Percentage

49% Field Goal Percentage 

Chris Bosh should average a double-double. But let us not forget that he plays alongside two of the better wingmen rebounders in the NBA today. 

Bosh will definitely be playing a lot more center and battling inside with the bigs, rather than spotting up for jump shots. As a result, he will get some easy baskets simply off put-backs or drop-offs from either Wade or James.

Should be another All-Star year for the oftentimes-overlooked third member of the Big 3.

Mario Chalmers

8.5 Points Per Game

2.1 Turnovers

1.9 Steals Per Game

.2 Blocks Per Game

4.2 Assists Per Game

2.3 Rebounds Per Game

80.2% Free Throw Percentage

45% Field Goal Percentage 

The numbers Chalmers tend to put up do not do him justice. 

Chalmers continues to develop into a very formidable point guard in the NBA. He has the ability to play great defense and keep up with quicker guards, he knocks down open shot, and he distributes the ball well to his superstars. 

On top of that, people forget Chalmers can score. He just doesn't have to with the Heat. 

He will continue to be a great fit for this super team.

Ray Allen

12.4 Points Per Game

1.3 Turnovers

1.3 Steals Per Game 

.7 Blocks Per Game

2.9 Assists Per Game

3.8 Rebounds Per Game

90.9% Free Throw Percentage

47% Field Goal Percentage 

Ray Allen averaged just over 14 points with the Boston Celtics and although he will be a part of the so-called Big 3 in Miami, he will not see that drastic of a drop in his points per game.

Allen will likely be shocked at how many open shots he will get as a result of playing with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Never in his career has he played with players who demand so much attention and he will benefit from it immediately. 

He may not be the most athletic player on the floor, but I assure you, he can still knock down jump shots all day long.

Rashard Lewis

8.7 Points Per Game

1.3 Turnovers

1.2 Steals Per Game 

1.2 Blocks Per Game

2.2 Assists Per Game

4.8 Rebounds Per Game

85.7% Free Throw Percentage

42.7% Field Goal Percentage 

Rashard Lewis will be asked to do a lot of different things for the Miami Heat.

That being said, his stats might be the hardest to predict since we don't know how Spoelstra will use him. 

Nevertheless, Lewis has never been the best defender or rebounder. But that will have to change if he wants to be a regular on the floor for the Miami Heat, and I believe it will.

Expect some solid minutes off the bench for Lewis and for him to be one of the main contributors for the second unit, along with Allen.

Mike Miller

4.5 Points Per Game

.9 Turnovers

.4 Steals Per Game

.2 Blocks Per Game

1.1 Assists Per Game

1.9 Rebounds Per Game

81.8% Free Throw Percentage

44% Field Goal Percentage 

I'm surprised Money Mike decided to come back. After all his grimacing during the season and his amazing performance in Miami's closeout game against the Thunder, I was sure he'd elect to go out on top. 

But Miller has decided to give it another go with the Heat.

However, what people forget is how much he struggled during the year. He definitely wasn't knocking down seven threes every game.

The truth of the matter is that there will not be that many opportunities for "Miller Time" with the acquisition of Ray Allen, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a big game or two out of Money Mike at some point during the season.

Shane Battier

7.4 Points Per Game

1.2 Turnovers

1.4 Steals Per Game

.9 Blocks Per Game

1.3 Assists Per Game

3.9 Rebounds Per Game

77.7% Free Throw Percentage

43.3% Field Goal Percentage 

Shane Battier: the unsung hero.

And he will continue to be just that for the Miami Heat.

He does all the dirty work that doesn't translate onto the stat sheet. He takes charges right in the chest, all the while defending the other team's best player until LeBron is ready to step in.

Battier's experience, heart and determination are things that cannot be underestimated. 

Oh, and if you haven't heard, he can shoot the ball a little bit too.