Miami Heat Player Power Rankings: Stacking Up the Full Roster in December
The Miami Heat have been a disappointment to begin the 2014-15 NBA season, winning just nine of their first 18 games.
After being a perennial contender in the Eastern Conference the past four years, Miami finds itself with the seventh best record in the conference.
Obviously, given Miami's struggles, plenty of players have performed below their capabilities this season. At the same time, a number of Miami's ballers have impressed.
We're going to take a look at everybody on the Heat—the overachievers, underachievers and the guys meeting expectations—and power rank the entire roster based on their play to start the season.
Nos. 15-11
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15. Hassan Whiteside
Signed on Nov. 24, Whiteside has made just one appearance for Miami this season. In it, he played two minutes and recorded one rebound. There's little reason to believe Whiteside will be anything more than a benchwarmer this season.
14. Andre Dawkins
Dawkins has played in three games this season, scoring three points with one assist and one rebound in 12 total minutes. Miami assigned Dawkins to the D-League on Thursday.
13. Danny Granger
Granger has had an interesting season to say the least. After missing the first 10 games with a hamstring injury, he played a total of 26 minutes total in Games 12 and 13. However, in Miami's next five games, he's made just one nine-minute appearance. Brought in to be a major contributor, Granger isn't in the rotation right now.
12. Justin Hamilton
Save for three 15-minute-plus performances early in the season due to the Heat's frontcourt injuries, Hamilton hasn't seen much run this year. He's made just four appearances in Miami's last 12 games. However, he actually played OK when given extended minutes earlier in the year. He's averaging 8.4 points (47.1 FG%, 37.5 3P%) and 8.0 rebounds per 36 minutes this season.
11. Chris Andersen
Andersen has looked like a shell of himself when out there this season. No longer playing with the incredible energy he's known for or moving as well as he used to, Andersen is averaging just 2.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. He suffered a high ankle sprain on Nov. 23 and remains out.
10. Udonis Haslem
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The good news for Udonis Haslem is that he appears to playing a little better than he did last season. However, the Heat legend still doesn't have much left in the tank.
As has been the case for a while now, Haslem simply doesn't move very well and is not the defender he once was. He also poses little offensive threat (four points per game), and his mid-range jumper is no longer a factor.
He is not a major part of the Heat's plans, appearing in just 11 games and averaging 13.1 minutes per game despite Miami's frontcourt injuries.
On the encouraging side, he's averaging an impressive 10.7 rebounds per 36 minutes.
9. James Ennis
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James Ennis hasn't burst onto the scene like perhaps the Heat would have liked, but he's still having a fine start to his rookie year.
He has appeared in every game and is averaging 9.1 points (42.3 FG%, 31.3 3P%), 6.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals per 36 minutes.
Ennis is an outstanding athlete and has the physical tools to succeed at the NBA level, but he's far from a finished product. His shot-making, decision-making, ball-handling and ability to play team defense all need to improve.
Still, Miami has to be pleased with him as long as he continues to make progress this season.
8. Josh McRoberts
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Offseason toe surgery has hindered Josh McRoberts' ability to make an impact early on in his Heat career.
The injury forced him to miss the preseason and into a reserve role to start the season. Expected to be one of Miami's most important players, McRoberts has played just 15.2 minutes per game this season.
In such limited time, he has shown some flashes of what he can be for this team. He's a fantastic passer and is crucial for a Heat team whose offense is predicated on moving the ball well.
Still, McRoberts hasn't gotten into a scoring rhythm, shooting just 43.6 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from beyond the arc. When on his game, he has the potential to be a helpful floor-spacer for Miami.
McRoberts finally got his first start of the season in the Heat's most recent game, and it's only a matter time of before he begins settling in and performing to his normal capabilities.
7. Norris Cole
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Norris Cole kicked off the 2014-15 season in epic fashion, dropping 23 points in Miami's opener against the Washington Wizards.
Unfortunately for the Heat, he has regressed to his normal offensive production since then, which isn't much.
The fact of the matter is Cole is not a starting-caliber point guard. He's not a big threat to get to the rim, is an average shooter and doesn't have particularly good distributing skills.
He's averaging just 6.9 points (39.2 FG%, 31.7 3P%) and 3.1 assists per game.
Cole is an effective on-ball defender, but it doesn't make up for his offensive deficiencies.
The Heat would be much better off starting the guy on the following slide (well, Mario Chalmers would be the best option, but Erik Spoelstra clearly likes using Rio at the 2).
6. Shabazz Napier
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Shabazz Napier is adjusting to the NBA game just fine.
The Heat's prized rookie has made an instant impact and has outplayed Norris Cole this season. Napier is averaging 6.8 points (45.7 FG%, 36.0 3P%) and 2.1 assists per game.
As one would expect him to do in his first year, Napier is improving as the season progresses. From Nov. 16 to Nov. 25, he scored double-digit points in six straight games.
Napier has the handles, shot-making ability and offensive instincts to be a real difference-maker in Miami for years to come.
There's still plenty of room for improvement. He's turning the ball over way too much (3.1 turnovers per 36 minutes) and still needs to become a much better distributor.
But Napier plays with a poise that leads one to believe he'll make those improvements soon enough.
5. Shawne Williams
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In perhaps the biggest surprise of the Heat's early-season games, Shawne Williams emerged as a major offensive threat.
The journeyman has been absolutely lethal from beyond the arc, shooting 48.7 percent on 4.2 three-point attempts per game. He's also averaging 9.5 points while shooting 47.9 percent from the field with 4.4 rebounds per game.
Considering the Heat haven't received much shooting from their guards, Williams' sweet stroke has been crucial for Miami.
The only downside to his season is that he's clearly a defensive liability. That's a big problem, considering defense is the area Miami most needs to improve in (108.6 points allowed per 100 possessions).
Given his defensive woes and McRoberts overtaking him as the Heat's starting 4, it's unlikely Williams will continue to make such a significant impact going forward.
4. Luol Deng
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Luol Deng has been fairly successful to start his Heat career.
He has been a solid offensive threat, averaging 13.6 points (47.5 FG%, 35.3 3P%). He also has been Miami's best perimeter defender.
Deng's efficiency from beyond the arc is no doubt encouraging, and his ability to consistently give Miami 10-15 points per night is helpful.
Still, his bread and butter is on defense, and if the Heat are ever to pick things up in that area, it will be with him leading the way.
Unfortunately for Miami, he has been nicked up at times this season, and his latest injury appears fairly serious. Deng is dealing with significant swelling in his hand and is expected to miss time, according to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Deng is a crucial piece of this team, and any sort of absence would be worthy of concern for Miami.
3. Mario Chalmers
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Mario Chalmers has thrived working as the Heat's backup shooting guard this season.
He is averaging 14.0 points (46.2 FG%, 31.1 3P%), 4.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game. He isn't shooting the ball particularly well but has done a great job of taking advantage of his touches and getting to the rim.
Despite moving over to the 2, Chalmers is still a critical distributor for Miami, and his ability to control the offense and create for others has been much needed.
Chalmers has emerged as one of the best players on Miami, and the team should strongly consider dealing Cole in an attempt to open up more playing time for Chalmers at his natural position.
2. Dwyane Wade
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When Dwyane Wade is healthy, few shooting guards in the league are more effective than the Marquette product.
This season, he is averaging 21.2 points (53.7 FG%), 5.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. He's such a crafty scorer who is able to get his points in a variety of ways. He's also a great distributor who is capable of putting his teammates in positions to succeed.
Unfortunately, as everyone well knows, Wade struggles to stay healthy. He's already missed seven games this season due to a hamstring injury.
Wade holds the keys to Miami's season. If he can stay healthy, the Heat have a shot at making some noise in the Eastern Conference. If he's in and out of the lineup, Miami is in trouble.
1. Chris Bosh
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From an individual production standpoint, Chris Bosh is doing an excellent job as Miami's No. 1 option.
He has been very aggressive this season, averaging 21.8 points (46.9 FG%, 40.3 3P%) and 8.9 rebounds per game. Bosh is scoring, rebounding, hitting threes and getting to the free-throw line (6.4 free-throw attempts) more than he ever has in a Heat uniform.
Bosh is one of the most versatile offensive players in the league, and his offensive arsenal has been on full display this year. His ability to get buckets at the basket, from mid-range to beyond the arc, is impressive.
Unfortunately, the Heat are 9-9, which hasn't quieted concerns that a team can't win big with Bosh as its No. 1 option.
The Heat need to improve if they are to reach their potential this season, and it's up to Bosh to lead the way.
Note: All stats from Basketball-Reference.com.
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