Miami Heat: Grading LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh's First Game
Here we go, the Miami Heat finally took the floor for the first time in a preseason game against the Detroit Pistons.
The offseason signing of LeBron James and Chris Bosh, in addition to the re-signing of Dwyane Wade has made this game one of the most anticipated games for basketball fans.
It was just preseason but AmericanAirlines Arena full of people, eager to watch the Big Three play together for the first time.
Let's see how they did. Here's a recap and grades from the Heat's performance today.
Dwyane Wade
1 of 10
One minute he was doing pull-ups on the rim to start the game.
Then he starts the Heat off on the scoring column with a basket.
Wade was trying to chase his man down on defense, trying go around the curl. And three minutes into game, he strains his right hamstring.
D-Wade. What happened?
Grade: Incomplete
Starting Small Forward: LeBron James
2 of 10
A tremendous first half performance from LeBron. With Wade down, he took over the go-to-guy responsibilities.
He lit it up the scoreboard during the first quarter with 11 of his total 18 points.
Overall, Lebron had an awesome first game as a Heat. But James' big failure was at the free-throw line where he was 0-for-3 in the game.
Grade: A, it would have been an A+ if it wasn't for his missed free-throws.
Starting Power Forward: Chis Bosh
3 of 10
Bosh started slow in the game, obviously deferring to the top-two players LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. He knows his role in this team, he's the number three option.
That said, soon after Wade went down, Bosh stepped it up.
He got himself involved early with rebounds and putbacks.
By the time the third quarter rolled around, LeBron and team were looking to get his big man involved. Bosh accounted for the first six points scored by Miami in the third quarter.
His final stats: 20 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals.
Grade: A
Starting Center: Joel Anthony
4 of 10
The starting center for this night's game had very little impact on the game.
He was disappointing as a rebounder, pulling down only one. And bad from the free-throw line missing both of his opportunities.
Anthony also had 0 points and 4 fouls in 20 minutes
Grade: F
Starting Point Guard: Carlos Arroyo
5 of 10
Although Arroyo was 4-for-6 from the field for 10 points, he was only able to dish out 1 assist. With the absence of Wade, it was important that he fill out the stat sheet as a distributor.
Arroyo played 20 minutes but was outdone by reserve point guard, Mario Chalmers, who had 10 assists in 20 minutes off the bench.
Grade: C
Big Three Chemistry
6 of 10
In three minutes, Dwyane Wade had 2 points and 2 steals to start the game.
Heat head coach had told Cheryl Miller that Wade's injury didn't seem too bad. Although that's exactly what you want to hear if you're a Heat fan.
It might be a real possibility that Wade will be pulled from the rest of preseason action in order to err on the said of caution.
The next time we see the Big Three might be in Boston to open the season.
Grade: Incomplete
Bosh and LeBron Chemistry
7 of 10
LeBron and Bosh played great together. After Wade went down it was the 'Bron-Bosh tandem that took over for the team.
LeBron took the first quarter with 11 points and Bosh made his mark in the third with 8 of his total 20 points.
Bosh admitted that they were excited and pumped up during a post-game interview. The two played exactly like they had something to play for.
In a preseason game when there's usually very little to be excited about, Bosh and LeBron, showed Miami fans that this may be the beginning of a magical season.
Grade: A
Miami Heat Bench: Udonis Haslem
8 of 10
LeBron did his thing and Chris Bosh got involved in the offense.
But it was Udonis Haslem that stood out in this game.
In 25 minutes, Haslem had 14 points and 13 rebounds. More importantly, Haslem played his role of being a spark off the bench to perfection.
If he can provide that same production throughout the season and the Big Three produce, the Heat are going to go far in the playoffs.
Grade: A+
Miami Heat Bench: Mike Miller, Mario Chalmers, and James Jones
9 of 10
The rest of the bench performed their roles well.
Mike Miller had 6 points, 4 assists going 1-for-3 from behind the arch.
Marion Chalmers had 10 points and 7 assists, while James Jones had 8 points, 2 rebounds and 2-for-7 from the three-point land.
They all chipped in for the win and were effective coming off the bench.
Their bench players did have problems picking up too many fouls, but aside from that, they were very good.
Grade: A-
Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons: Final Grade
10 of 10
Even though it's just one preseason game, the Heat played well. It was a blowout of the Detroit Pistons 105-89.
LeBron James took the scoring load to start the game and by the time they were leading substantially, he resorted to his unselfish ways and got Chris Bosh involved.
Udonis Haslem made a big impact with his double-double and the rest of the Miami bench also go involved.
They were midseason form today, after that performance, who needs Dwyane Wade?
Miami Heat with LeBron James and Chris Bosh: A
Miami Heat with Miami Thrice: Incomplete
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