NBA 2010: 5 Players The Miami Heat Need to Step Up to Win a Championship

After one of the biggest offseason hauls in sports history, the Miami Heat will enter the 2010-11 season as one of the favorites to win the NBA Championship.

These expectations are with good reason as the new big three of Chris Bosh, Lebron James, and Dwyane Wade gives the Heat three top-15 players to put on the court at the same time. However basketball has never been a three man game and it will no doubt take a team effort for the Heat to reach their ultimate goal.

In addition to the Big Three the Heat are welcoming in a slew of new players who need to find their roles and gel together quickly.

Although it is essential for every player to do that, there are some players who's play will best complement the Big Three and allow the Heat to be successful. Big men, guards, and swingmen alike will all need to make contributions for a successful season.

5. Juwan Howard

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PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 24: Juwan Howard #6 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots against the Phoenix Suns during Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2010 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: Us

The 16 year pro Juwan Howard was signed by Miami to add some toughness and scoring down low, as well as to provide a veteran presence in the locker room.

Howard has certainly seen a lot throughout his career and can be a calming presence if things get testy at any point this season. He proved last year that he still has some ability left playing big minutes for he injury depleted Portland Trail Blazers.

The Heat's biggest will be in the frontcourt as Bosh is not a typical low post banger. Because of this it is essential that the Heat get some kind of consistent production from Howard.

4. Zydrunas Ilgauskas

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PHOENIX - DECEMBER 21: Zydrunas Ilgauskas #11 of the Cleveland Cavaliers puts up a shot over Channing Frye #8 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on December 21, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 109-91.

Big Z decided to follow Lebron James in his move from Cleveland to Miami no doubt in the hopes of winning his first championship in his 12 year career. Getting a player of Z's size and quality was a big get for the Heat who, as previously stated, come into the year with big questions in the frontcourt.

Acquiring Z gives the team a big body who can also open the court up with his mid-range shooting ability. In addition, he is already comfortable playing with the Lebron and the two will attempt to continue to run the very successful two man game they ran in Cleveland.

If Z can give them another quality big off the bench it'll go a long way towards a Miami championship.

3. Udonis Haslem

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BOSTON - APRIL 27: Udonis Haslem #40 of the Miami Heat takes a shot as Glen Davis #11 of the Boston Celtics defends during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 NBA playoffs at the TD Garden on April 27, 2010 in Boston, Massachuse

If you haven't figured it out by now, contributions from Heat big men is one of the keys to their upcoming season. Udonis Haslem is no exception as his toughness and rebounding will be counted on throughout the year.

Haslem is comfortable in Miami and should be given a big boost playing with these improved teammates. His scoring may even improve as there will be even less defensive attention on him this year.

In the end it will take all three of the big men mentioned, along with Bosh and some other part time players, to create a formidable low post attack. It will become increasingly important come playoff time when the Heat matchup against the formidable frontcourts of the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic.

Players like Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O'Neal, and Dwight Howard will inevitably stand in the way of the Heat and a shot at the championship.

2. Mike Miller

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 8: Mike Miller #13 of the Miami Heat shoots a jumpshot over Thabo Sefolosha #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 8, 2010 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees t

Sharpshooter Mike Miller signed with the Heat this offseason in a move that flew under the radar compared to the Big Three signing. However on paper Miller is the perfect complement to the new pieces in Miami.

Miller has always been a fantastic three point shooter holding a career three point percentage over 40 percent.

There is no doubt that defenses will key on the Big Three and often times this will leave Miller open to do what he does best, stroke it from downtown. Adding Miller's shooting ability to the already outstanding offensive potential of this team really puts the Heat into another stratosphere.

In the end Miller's shooting ability could be the difference that makes Miami truly unstoppable.

1. Mario Chalmers

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 18: Mario Chalmers #6 of the Miami Heat against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on November 18, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Point Guard Mario Chalmers comes into this season with a lot of pressure to improve quickly and take advantage of the new weapons that surround him.

Although both Wade and James will take some time at the point, the Heat will probably be most effective with them off the ball. This means that the emphasis is on Chalmers to take control of the offense and use them most effectively.

If Chalmers can take care of the ball and distribute it, this offense could really go. In addition Chalmers will be the benefactor of a lot more open looks this season and if he can continue to improve as a three point shooter that will add another dimension to this offense.

This young man has had some ups and downs in his young NBA career and the adjustments he makes this season will be huge for him going forward.