Breaking Down the Roles of the Miami Heat's Supporting Cast

While followed by a camera crew at the Miami Heat's 2012-13 media day on Sept. 28, Udonis Haslem made sure to send shoutouts to the team's so-called "Little 12."

While it may be a stretch to say that a dozen different players will have regular roles in the Heat's title defense, there's no question that this qualifies as the deepest, most versatile supporting cast the franchise has had in the LeBron James era.

The cast includes three players—Haslem, Mike Miller and Shane Battier—who have received Sixth Man of the Year votes at some point over their careers, with Miller winning one in 2005-06 while a member of the Memphis Grizzlies.

And two additions, Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, have combined for 12 All-Star appearances.

When it comes to complementing James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Erik Spoelstra's options abound.

(Any quotes included here were obtained at Miami Heat practices and games over the course of training camp and the preseason.)

Ray Allen: The Franchise's First True Sixth Man

The Celtics believe they can cover for Ray Allen's absence, but the Heat is giddy about his presence on a roster than already includes LeBron James.

Simply, can you leave the game's best-ever long-range shooter alone in the corner to double the game's most dynamic driver?

For the 20 to 25 minutes that Allen is roaming the arc, that's the impossible choice that defenses will need to keep making.

Allen has spent the preseason trying to work through soreness in his ankle while learning the tendencies of his teammates, but he still looks like he has life in his 37-year-old legs.

Projection: It may take some time for him to adapt to his new squad and a full-time bench role, but once he does, expect to see him on the floor when it most matters.

Shane Battier: The Glue Guy

Shane Battier didn't sign with Miami to be a starter, nor did that promotion seem likely, as he struggled with his three-point shot early in the 2011-12 season.

In the playoffs, with Chris Bosh injured, Erik Spoelstra turned to him by necessity, and now Battier appears entrenched in the opening five.

He knows he'll be undersized every night, guarding power forwards, and he admits that "instinctually I'm not there yet," but his basketball IQ should keep him competitive.

And that shot from the corner? It's been money since May.

Projection: It doesn't make sense to consistently give him minutes to match his age (34). Still, expect him to honor his promise to return to his career norm of 38 percent from long-distance after limping to 34 percent last season.

Mario Chalmers: Fearless, If Not Flawless

Even though he's in his fifth NBA season, has become an above-average long-range shooter (38.8 percent) and is coming off some huge moments in the 2012 postseason, Mario Chalmers is still is seen as a little brother by his teammates.

Mario Chalmers would like them to tone down the on-court criticism, and he seems to have earned that respect. But LeBron James has given him a condition: Be more consistent. That means eliminating the careless turnovers on offense and the unnecessary gambles on defense. He can also become more of a consistent threat as a driver, using a floater he's perfected.

Projection: After missing much of training camp and all of the preseason with a thigh bruise, it's hard to gauge what he's learned. But this is clear: If he slips, Ray Allen provides a late-game backcourt alternative.

Udonis Haslem: The Resident Rebounder

While Udonis Haslem struggled with his shooting form for much of the 2011-12 season, there's reason to believe he'll be better this time around.

Another year removed from a serious foot injury, he spent the summer working on his touch before a quad injury slowed his progress in camp. The key thing for the Heat? That he touches and grabs the ball when it comes off the glass. Even at less than himself, and even at just 6'8", he easily led the team in rebounding rate.

Projection: His minute average has fallen each of the past four seasons, and it wouldn't surprise even him if it slips again. There will be times, however, when Erik Spoelstra will call upon his trusty co-captain.

Rashard Lewis: The Reclamation Project

Rashard Lewis feels as if the league has written him off.

"Oh yeah, most definitely," he says. "The last two years have been a struggle."

He's felt overlooked before, when he slipped to the second round of the 1998 draft, and he carved out a 15-season career so far. Traded by Orlando to Washington, he sat plenty and performed poorly with the Wizards. Still, he says now that he's over his knee trouble, and Erik Spoelstra says he has never had a true "stretch four" of his type.

Projection: His length, shooting stroke and overall skill level could earn him a rotation spot, and maybe a greater role as the season progresses. But even if he rebounds physically, don't expect much rebounding of the basketball.

Norris Cole: Change of Pace, Need for Poise

After exploding onto the scene in the Heat's home opener, Norris Cole sprinted head-first into a rookie wall. He shot 42.3 percent prior to the All-Star break, and 34.3 percent after.

That slippage was to be expected considering all the damage that the lockout did, limiting his offseason time with the team and cutting back on practices.

Cole resurfaced late in the playoffs, and Erik Spoelstra deployed his on-ball defense with good results; Cole's energy keyed a Heat run in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Now, after a summer of work, he's returned with a high-top fade and a bit more confidence in his jumper.

Projection: To get regular time, the "Cole Train" needs to pump the brakes some while setting up offense and stroking open shots. Most likely, he'll get 10-to-12 minutes per night, about half of what he got early in his rookie season.

Mike Miller: Letting It Fly... When His Back Lets Him

Mike Miller's still around.

He's upright.

Both of those are surprises.

Erik Spoelstra has quipped during training camp that he forgot that Miller was actually 6'8" after seeing the veteran swingman hunched over for so much of last season.

After a miraculous shooting display in Game 5 of the Finals, when he somehow connected on seven threes, Miller rested for a few weeks and then embarked upon a rigorous rehab program. That allowed Miller to put off retirement, and he's moving more freely than he did at any time last season.

"He's way ahead of schedule," Spoelstra said.

Now the Heat will monitor his schedule carefully, so he's ready when most needed.

Projection: He'll sit out some practices and get a rest on the back half of back-to-backs. So don't pencil him in for a regular rotation spot. But don't erase him for the plans either.

Joel Anthony: The Energy Big

For the past two seasons, Joel Anthony has made it plain that he prefers to come off the bench than serve as a starter.

Now he'll get his wish.

The question, however, is whether he'll get anywhere near the number of minutes he once did with Erik Spoelstra moving to more of a "position-less" philosophy and trying to get his most skilled players on the floor. Anthony's offensive arsenal is limited to dunking and the occasional jump-hook, but he serves a purpose as a screen-setter, especially in transition. And he's a good shot-blocker, if not much of a rebounder.

Projection: Spoelstra will speak often about how much the Heat values Anthony. Even so, unless the Heat needs a rim protector, the coach will call the name sparingly.

James Jones: The Stay-Warm Shooter

LeBron James still calls James Jones "The Champ," even though the Miami product failed to defend his title in the All-Star Three-Point Contest.

Jones shot 40.4 percent from three last season. Not a shot creator and averse to firing from two-point land, he's the truest definition of a specialist.

Projection: Jones' ability to remain ready, without complaint, makes him a nice asset to have around. He'll be a formidable foe in shooting competitions in practice, but he probably only gets minutes if Mike Miller breaks or Rashard Lewis flops.

Dexter Pittman: The Old-School Enforcer

The Heat are in their third season of investment in the physical, raw Dexter Pittman, and it's reached the point where he needs to show more polish.

After promising to dominate summer league, he showed the same old propensity for foul trouble. Then he put in the conditioning time and made some progress as camp progressed.

"He's in the best shape he's been in since he's been here," Erik Spoelstra said.

That and a guaranteed contract got him a roster spot.

Projection: He won't play much, but there will be spots for his rugged style. One such place may be against Philadelphia and Andrew Bynum. Another? In the Finals against the Lakers and Dwight Howard.