2010-11 NBA Predictions: 5 Things That Could Go Wrong With The Miami Heat

Three minutes into the Miami Heat's first preseason game versus the Detroit Pistons, there was already trouble.

Dwyane Wade limped to the sideline with a hamstring injury, causing Miami Heat fans to collectively hold their breath. Wade never returned to the game.

While the injury does not seem to be very serious, it raises some serious points. Contrary to some beliefs, this Miami Heat team is composed of human beings (not superheroes), and with human beings comes the element of human error.

I may be playing devil's advocate, but clearly there are things that could go wrong.

Here are five plausible scenarios that could deter a Miami Heat title run in the 2010-2011 season.

Injuries and Durability

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MIAMI - APRIL 23: Guard Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat stays on the floor injured during a 100-98 loss to the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena on April 23, 2010

As aforementioned, Dwyane Wade already exited the first preseason game due to a hamstring injury.

Wade has had a history of ailments over the years. In three of of Wade's seven seasons in the NBA, the Miami Heat superstar has missed more than 20 games.

Similarly, Chris Bosh has missed some significant time due to injuries. In four of his last five seasons with the Toronto Raptors, Bosh missed more than twelve games each season.

While LeBron James has not missed a significant amount of games due to injury, his aggressive playing style will leave him open to the possibility of getting injured. With teams gunning for the Heat, it is also possible that some players may foul a little harder when LeBron slashes towards the basket.

Consistent Point Guard Play

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SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 06: Mario Chalmers #6 of the Miami Heat in action during their game against the Sacramento Kings at ARCO Arena on December 6, 2009 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloa

With both Carlos Arroyo and Mario Chalmers vying for the starting point guard job, there is still some uncertainty surrounding the Heat's rotation.

Chalmers clearly outperformed Arroyo in the preseason game against the Detroit Pistons; however, Chalmers has been characterized by his inconsistencies throughout his time in the league.

The Miami Thrice can carry the Heat to a certain point, but there still needs to be strong supporting role players. If Arroyo or Chalmers cannot emerge as consistent point guards, much of the ball handling duties will fall to LeBron or Wade. Further burdening either Wade or LeBron could wear them down as the season rolls on.

Coaching

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MIAMI - SEPTEMBER 27: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat answers questions during media day at the Bank United Center on September 27, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Coach Erik Spoelstra is a great coach. Since starting as video coordinator for Miami, he has risen to head coach in the organization through diligent work and paying his dues.

On the other hand, Coach Spo is young and still inexperienced as a head coach in the NBA. As history suggests, superstars do not always appreciate the efforts of their coaches (ie. LeBron and Mike Brown, Latrell Sprewell and P.J. Carlesimo ).

So far we have not seen any reason to be concerned about Spoelstra's relationship with LeBron or Bosh; however, as the tension of regular season games amplified by the pressure of outside expectations grows, the possibility of conflict increases.

Joel Anthony

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BOSTON - APRIL 27: Tony Allen #42 of the Boston Celtics takes a shot as Joel Anthony #50 of the Miami Heat defends during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 NBA playoffs at the TD Garden on April 27, 2010 in Boston, Massachuset

Starting center Joel Anthony had an abysmal performance in the Miami Heat's first preseason game.

In just under 20 minutes of playing time, Anthony had zero points, missed both free throws attempted, and grabbed only one rebound. While Anthony did amass two blocked shots, he also accrued four personal fouls in a limited amount of playing time.

Anthony needs to be a strong presence in the middle for the Heat. Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem form a strong rebounding tandem at the power forward position; however, defensively, neither one of them can match up well against Dwight Howard or larger opposing frontcourts.

If Anthony does not improves over the course of the preseason, the Heat might turn to Zydrunas Illgauskas to receive the bulk of the time in the middle. Big Z, however, will not be an improvement on defense. This could become a major concern for the Heat as the season wears on.

Foul Trouble

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 11: Referee Dick Bavetta chats with fellow Referee Kevin Fehr during a timeout while the Toronto Raptors play the Miami Heat on December 11, 2006 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

Against the Detroit Pistons in the first preseason game, the Heat committed a whopping 30 personal fouls allowing the Pistons to shoot 46 free throws.

While no player on the Heat went above four fouls, the rotation was also larger than what will be expected in the regular season. Teams may specifically target Bosh, Wade, and LeBron to pick up fouls in order to send them to the bench.

The Heat's supporting cast will have to be available to pick up fouls for the Miami Thrice, and more importantly, they need to improve on using fouls in the proper situations.