Miami Heat Slip Sliding Into Regular Season Opener Against Boston Celtics
Opening night is just around the corner, and the NBA world really has no idea as to what the Miami Heat trio of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh look like.
Dwyane Wade pulled a hamstring and has played only three minutes in the preseason. LeBron James suffered a minor setback as well, but was able to return; now Mike Miller a critical role player is lost till January because of a thumb injury.
This obscenely gifted offensive team has started the season in a cloud of mystery and intense scrutiny. They didn't get the opportunity to understand each others tendencies in the uneven play that preseason games bring. Now the regular season is mere days away and their first opponent, the Boston Celtics will be a test for their collective psyche.
Miami to a man, has always claimed that the bright lights would not affect team goals, but in recent days they have added cautionary words to those expectations.
Inquiring minds want to know will this three-headed monster have the necessary rhythm to overcome the lack of time together on the court.
Erik Spoelstra has the pressure of coaching this talent to an NBA championship and the specter of Pat Riley waiting in the wings should he fail. The injury bug that has plagued them has made his job that much harder.
We all know what the stars are supposed to bring to this opening game and even the season. Let us take a look at the bench. It is the bench that is the key to who wins this presumed early season match-up between the 2010-11 Eastern Conference finalists Boston Celtics and Miami Heat.
Mike Miller: Thumbing His Way Into The Season
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When the NBA found its next superstar trio in South Beach, Mike Miller was quick to take advantage of the opportunity to win now.
His sharpshooting skills were exactly what the Heat needed to offset the slash and dash of Wade and James. Unfortunately he suffered the same fate Marquis Daniels of the Celtics suffered last year, a thumb injury.
Some of you know how Daniels struggled upon his return and never found his rhythm. Daniels is not even close to the shooter that Miller is, and that in itself may find him not regaining his touch till next season.
This is something the Heat can ill afford to happen, because the next consistent three-point shooter is Eddie House. At a generously listed 6' 0", House's lack of height and foot speed on the defensive end would severely hamper Miami's defensive rotation.
Daniels is finally healthy, and fortunately the Heat signed Jerry Stackhouse as a temporary replacement till Miller gets healthy.
For Stackhouse, this is his chance to win a ring with the same team that denied him in 2006.
Udonis Haslem: Man at Work
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He along with Wade is the lone holdover from the Heat's single championship season of 2006. He has carved a nice journeyman's career with one team if that is possible. If it wasn't for Pat Riley's penchant for rewarding players who make a difference without necessarily being in the limelight his contributions would go unnoticed.
Haslem just does his work and does it well, he has a decent baseline jumper that plays well with a pick-and-pop game. An offensive strategy that the Heat are sure to employ because of the lack of three-point shooting.
He will spend most of his time playing as an undersized power forward like the Celtics' Glen Davis. Davis gets the edge because he has had more experience playing with three so called superstars, and is a better passer than Haslem.
Haslem is limited to grabbing rebounds and waiting for others to create for him. Davis can create his own shot, and is not afraid to take "The shot" when the game is on the line.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas: The 'Z' Man Cometh To South Beach
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No one can accuse LeBron James of not being loyal to those who don't question his authority. As his reward for playing 'Chico' to LeBron's being "The Man,'' James brought him to his new kingdom in South Beach.
He shoots the ball well from the outside for a big man and he has three-point range. The problem is his 7' 3" frame would be better served down low and not stretching the defense. Big Z has seen better days as a rebounder, and now his penchant for drifting to the outside will put more on the slim shoulders of Chris Bosh.
Boston will most likely have him matched up against Jermaine O'Neal and in some instances until Kendrick Perkins return, Semih Erden. Z's loping gate will allow Semih to stay with him defensively, and Erden is sure to learn some tricks from Shaquille O'Neal on how to limit his effectiveness.
Eddie House: Eeking Out Another Championship With The Heat
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After being let go in the early part of his career by the Miami Heat, House is looking to come full circle with a championship with them. Eddie made his name as the designated three-point threat off the bench as a member of the 2007-2008 Boston Celtics.
Last year saw his role diminished and a mid-season trade to the New York Knicks for his replacement Nate Robinson. New York decided to part ways with him ,and when the Celtics attempted to resign him this offseason he declined sighting hurt feelings.
He has shown that those feelings still run deep with his recent comments that this is the best practicing championship contender he has been on.
Yet House has added to the uncertainty of the roster by having to recover from offseason shoulder surgery himself.
He will have plenty of opportunity to rediscover his shooting stroke when defenses key in on Wade, James or Bosh.
His minutes will be limited because Miami will be hard pressed to cover up for his defensive deficiencies with the likes of Joel Anthony, Jamaal Magloire, Juwan Howard or Big Z.
When pitted against the likes of Nate Robinson or Delonte West, Eddie will be calling for help as they leave him with his pants on the ground.
Joel Anthony: A Canadian In Miami
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Miami has cornered the market on undersized Canadian born centers with Jamaal Magloire and Joel Anthony. Anthony is know for his defensive hustle and his quick jumping ability, and that is all.
Many are quick to point out that this should be enough with Chris Bosh at the four spot, but Bosh has never been known for his off the ball defense. Anthony is more of a poor man's Andersen Varejao, he can dive unnoticed through the lane and James can find him on the cuts.
But he will not be able to match up with Shaquille or Jermaine O'Neal not to mention Kevin Garnett or Glen Davis. The Heat are at a major disadvantage in the middle.
Jerry Stackhouse: Betting on The House
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The Milwaukee Bucks said thanks but no thanks to Jerry Stackhouse for his contributions to last year's surprising playoff run.
When Mike Miller went down with a thumb injury Miami came calling, and Stackhouse was happy to listen and accept their offer. Miller is a more accomplished shooter, but Stackhouse can score in a variety of ways. This may bode well for the Heat, because it will afford them to rest James more. Miller was an iffy proposition at best only because he could not create for himself.
Jerry has a rare opportunity to win a championship with the team that he lost to in the Finals. This time his role is different, but it won't diminish the joy if he wins it in Miami.
The Celtics will have to game plan for him, because Stackhouse has been the man before and will not whither under the pressures of the game. It will also allow Miami to have him play Paul Pierce defensively, giving James much needed rest.
Carlos Arroyo: Still Standing
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He has become the de facto point guard because of Mario Chalmers' offseason ankle surgery. That will be in name only as the James era begins in Miami.
All he has to do is stay out of the way and make an occasional open shot. Rajon Rondo abused him last year, and it won't be any easier with Nate Robinson and Delonte West waiting in the wings.
The jury is still out on how effective his game will be when he has not played with Miami's super trio yet in a live game.
The good news for the Heat is that they have James to distribute the ball, the bad thing is that the team may rely too much on James to set them up.
Mario Chalmers: Taking Pointers
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Mario Chalmers is feeling the joy of what it means to have your most lofty expectations coming so close to reality. After having a decent showing in the first-round loss to the Celtics in last year's playoffs, he has had a setback because of ankle surgery.
Now he has to work even that much harder to gain back his starting position from Carlos Arroyo's hands. After 'The Decision,' Chalmers stated that he would call Rajon Rondo on what it was like to have such celebrated veterans as teammates.
As a Celtic fan, I hope Rondo told him to take a hike, as a fan of basketball, I would think he told him to just be himself and take their advice.
Chalmers cannot base his play on how Rondo handled his situation, his focus should be on how he is going to handle a more experienced Rondo and remain relevant in the team's rotation.
Erik Spoelstra: Feeling The Heat Of A Championship Run
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Coach Spoesltra has to be wondering how he got to the "Land of Oz" with a resident superstar whose superhero moniker 'Flash' belies the fragility of his body and a self-proclaimed 'King."
He doesn't have the luxury of having input on who he is going to coach, but any NBA coach would love to have his seat with the talent at his disposal.
Beyond the aforementioned players, the rest of the bench is merely there for practice fodder. The likes of James Jones, Jamaal Magloire and Juwan Howard will quietly come along for the ride. They will place no challenge on the practice court to Wade, James and Bosh.
The bench is decent, but cannot stand on their own if forced to play five-on-five against the Celtic bench. Boston has a combination of veterans who have deep playoff experience and may even make an argument that they could start on lower echelon teams.
Miami has made nice additions given its limited payroll, but the onus will continue to be on the 'Big Three' until possibly year three of this amazing conglomerate of talent.
Given the injuries that have marred the start of their first season together, it would be a testament to their internal fortitude if they were to win this year. However it is more likely they will make the most noise during the regular season, but fall short and lose in the Eastern Conference Finals.
This will pave the way for Pat Riley, just like he did Stan Van Gundy; to come and show Coach 'Spro' how to do it right and win it in 2012.
