The Five Most Important Issues Staring the Miami Heat in the Face

Now that the dust has settled, and the Big Three are in place, let's take a look at the most important issues the Miami Heat must address now and throughout next season.

5. Ego

As in, leave it at the door. This is about winning championships. It does not matter who takes the last shot. What matters is everyone is willing to live with whatever the outcome may be.

4. Bench

These guys cannot be expected to play 48 minutes every night. They have to be able to come out of a game with a lead and know they will have that lead (or some semblance to it) when they return to the floor.

Otherwise, they will be broken down by the end of the season when heading into the playoffs.

3. Defense

As the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers proved this year, defense wins championships.

The Celtics used it to take a 3-2 series lead. The Lakers then flipped the script on the Celtics by turning up their defense as well as attacking the boards with an intensity only matched by Roseanne Barr at a buffet.

In doing so, the Lakers ripped the NBA Championship away from the Celtics. These three will be the leaders of this team. They need to lead with defense. 

2. Chemistry

This aspect involves the entire team. The Big Three need chemistry among them, but chemistry with the rest of their teammates and their coach is paramount if they want to even sniff a title.

Only time will tell if this science experiment will win blue ribbons (in this case Larry O'Brien trophies) or blow up in their faces.

1. Health

This is the most important aspect and the one the players have the least control over. A tweaked ankle here or a turned knee there can mean disaster for this experiment.

This is where management comes in. They are responsible for filling up this roster and making sure they have guys who can plug holes due to possible health issues.

There you have it. The five most important issues the Miami Heat will be facing as they trudge toward their destiny. They now have a bigger bullseye on their backs than the defending champion Lakers.

They are also getting more face time right now. Somehow I cannot help but wonder if the Lakers prefer it this way. After all, they are still the champs and are not getting much love right now.

Providing Miami wins the East next year, they still have to deal with the two-time defending champs in purple and gold, who just might have a small chip on their collective shoulder.