Complete Miami Heat 2014 Training Camp Preview
The Miami Heat are gearing up for their first year of the post-LeBron James era.
With James gone, few are predicting the Heat to remain among the NBA's elite.
But before they can go out and attempt to prove the many doubters wrong, the Heat need to use training camp to not only mesh the newcomers with holdovers from last year but figure out who's going to play and in what capacity as well.
We're going to examine the Heat position by position, looking at the likely contributors and what could possibly change during training camp.
Point Guard
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No. 1. Mario Chalmers
Despite the many criticisms leveled at him throughout his career, Chalmers remains the best option for Miami in the starting point guard slot.
Simply put, Chalmers is the most complete and talented floor general on the team.
He averaged 9.8 points and 4.9 assists per game last season while finishing as Miami's most efficient three-point shooter (38.5 percent). Chalmers' outside shot and finishing-at-the-rim ability will come in handy for the Heat without LeBron.
Chalmers also has experienced significant growth defensively in recent years and is a positive for Miami on that side of the ball.
This isn't to say he is a perfect player. Far from it, as his performance in the 2014 NBA Finals proved once again. He's still going to make bad decisions from time to time and will have awful games every once in a while, but he's better than his reputation indicates and is a solid starting point guard for Miami.
No. 2. Norris Cole
Cole doesn't have the offensive game to supplant Chalmers as Miami's top point guard.
Cole just hasn't developed on that side of the ball, as he shot 41.1 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from beyond the arc and posted a 1.95 assist-to-turnover ratio last season.
At 25, Cole still has plenty of room to grow, but after making few improvements last season, 2014-15 represents a big year for him.
Still, his on-ball defense and comfortability in Miami's system make him an easy pick for the Heat's backup gig.
No. 3. Shabazz Napier
Napier's mission in training camp is easy: prove his performance in summer league play this offseason was a fluke.
The Heat's first-round selection was a mess, shooting the ball terribly from deep (19.5 percent) and turning it over frequently (4.2 turnovers per game).
But Napier has the skills to turn it around. He shot the ball well at the collegiate level (37.5 percent from three) and was able to run an offense and score at will in part because of his great handles.
If those traits are on display in training camp, coach Erik Spoelstra will be more willing to trust Napier once the season rolls around.
Shooting Guard
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No. 1: Dwyane Wade
We talked about the Heat having something to prove earlier from a team perspective. But individually, no one has more to prove than Wade.
After a terrible performance in the 2014 NBA Finals, many are skeptical that Wade can survive without James.
But Wade has lost weight this season in an effort to manage his health, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. And despite the sour ending to it, Wade actually had a productive 2013-14 season. The living legend averaged 19.9 points (54.5 FG%), 4.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game in the regular season.
Rejuvenated by the increase in responsibility that comes with LeBron's departure, Wade is in store for a big year if he can remain healthy.
No. 2: Shannon Brown
Here's where things fall off the rails for Miami at the shooting guard position. The Heat simply have little depth behind Wade.
Brown technically gets the nod for the No. 2 job, but his role is far from established at this point. Also, expect guys such as Chalmers and Danny Granger to see minutes here.
Brown is a strong athlete and could provide Miami decent enough defense. The fact that he played just 29 games between two teams last season and was unable to latch on anywhere doesn't suggest a great season for him, though.
No. 3: Reggie Williams
Williams can shoot the basketball. He's a career 37.1 percent shooter from beyond the arc and has a 42.3 percent season from outside under his belt (2010-11 with the Golden State Warriors).
But Williams provides little else outside of his shot, which will obviously hurt his chances to have a sizable role on this team.
To put Williams' lack of skills in perspective, he appeared in just three games with the Oklahoma City Thunder this past season.
It's worth repeating: Miami is weak behind Wade.
Small Forward
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No. 1: Luol Deng
The Heat's prized offseason acquisition, Luol Deng comes to Miami as the clear-cut No. 3 option.
Deng is a shoo-in for outstanding perimeter defense and a solid 15 or so points per night on the offensive end. It's worth noting he doesn't have a strong outside shot, which could prove problematic for Miami's spacing.
Regardless, Deng is a key piece on this team and someone who can help the Heat remain one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference.
He's no LeBron, but considering who else was available on the free-agent market, he's a fine replacement.
No. 2: Danny Granger
I was always skeptical of a career revitalization from Granger this season, and the news coming from Friday's media day that Granger had knee surgery two months ago only makes that seem less likely.
Fortunately for the Heat, Granger told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that he expects to be back for the season opener. However, his health has been a problem in recent years, and this is not a good sign that those problems are ending anytime soon.
Granger averaged just 8.2 points (37.8 FG%) and 3.2 rebounds per game this past season. Considering he very well could be deployed as the sixth man, Miami needs much more efficient play for this gamble of an offseason signing to pay off.
No. 3: James Ennis
Interestingly, because he was a late-round draft pick in 2013 and spent last year overseas, Ennis just might have more buzz heading into this season than the 2014 first-rounder, Napier.
Unlike Napier, Ennis was outstanding during summer league play. He averaged 15.5 points (51.7 FG%, 48.1 3P%), 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in six games.
The long and athletic small forward has the potential for a successful NBA career. He can do damage in transition, shoot the ball and play defense.
How much will Spo trust him in Year 1 is the question.
Power Forward
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No. 1: Josh McRoberts
Another crucial offseason signing, McRoberts is a perfect fit for the Heat.
Spoelstra loves playing versatile big man, and the stretch 4 is just that. McRoberts can shoot the ball (36.1 3P% in 2013-14), and his passing ability is off the charts (4.3 APG).
McRoberts isn't a great defender or rebounder (4.8 RPG), but his ability to create open buckets for teammates either directly or indirectly and his shot make this something Miami can live with.
At 27, McRoberts is in his prime. The best season of his seven-year career could be on the way.
No. 2: Udonis Haslem
Haslem's role on the Heat is not as set as this backup power forward slot suggests. Granger could see time as a stretch 4, and Chris Andersen and Chris Bosh will likely see more time playing alongside each other this year.
Haslem is unlikely to see the court a lot this year, and that's justified. He simply isn't the player he once was, averaging just 3.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game last year. His mid-range game is about gone, and his defense continues to decline.
At 34, a bounce-back season from Haslem doesn't seem to be in the cards.
No. 3: Shawne Williams
Williams is listed as a small forward, but given Spo's affinity for stretch 4s, expect to see Williams in this role.
Camp will be huge for Williams to prove he has the shooting chops to be used in such a role. He shot just 32.6 percent from three last year but was an outstanding outside threat (40.2 3P%) for the New York Knicks during the 2010-11 season, so the potential for more is there.
Williams averaged 5.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game this past season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Center
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No. 1: Chris Bosh
Prepare for The Year of Chris Bosh.
Bosh, relegated to being the third banana for the past four years, will return to his leading man status during the 2014-15 season.
A better player than he was the last time he held such a role as a member of the Toronto Raptors, a monster season from Bosh is more than possible.
Bosh will still show off his excellent mid-range shot and improving three-point jumper this year, but he will also do more work in the post, where he excelled as a Raptor.
The center spoke excitedly about going down low more to the Sun Sentinel's Shandel Richardson, so it's clear this isn't a move he's making reluctantly.
Bosh averaged just 16.2 points per game last season, but he will easily eclipse 20 points per night this season.
No. 2: Chris "Birdman" Andersen
Even at 36, Andersen remains a strong backup for Bosh.
Andersen is another player who struggled during the 2014 NBA Finals, but his production in the regular season indicates he has plenty left in the tank. He averaged 6.6 points (64.3 FG%), 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
Andersen is still going to provide the infectious energy he plays with and do the dirty work that results in winning games.
No. 3: Justin Hamilton
Hamilton is unlikely to see much playing time this season. But the Heat have shown an interest in developing Hamilton, so expect to see him sitting on Miami's bench this season.
At 7'0" and a career 33.3 percent three-point shooter, he has the potential to be a decent player. However, his defense would have to improve significantly, and his shot, among other things, needs work as well.
Hamilton appeared in seven games for Miami last year and averaged 3.7 points and one rebound per game.
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