Miami Heat Early Struggles: Why It's Not Time To Panic Yet

As of November 11th around an hour before midnight, the Miami Heat are 5-4. A record that's less than impressive, not even close to being easy on the eye for Heat fans with the ridiculous expectations surrounding this team. It's safe to say that LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Pat Riley probably didn't envision this era to start off like this.

But it's not time to panic yet, not even close. Look back at the opening paragraph and see if you can take out the most important fact. If you can't find it, I'll tell you what it is.

November 11th.

When is the last time anyone has scrutinized the first nine games of an NBA season? Of course, it's different with Miami and the hype surrounding the super star laden team, but that was inevitable. However, fans and haters of the Heat both must remember, we haven't even scratched the surface of this NBA season yet. We're less than 10 games in.

Now, as for the Heat's struggles themselves, even Heat fans can admit they are glaringly obvious. No defensive presence at the center spot, no true starting point guard who can make a consistent impact night in and night out. Joel Anthony has been exposed each time he's been on the floor, and Carlos Arroyo is either hot or he's not. And when he's not, it doesn't bode well for the Heat.

Last night head coach Erik Spoelstra searched for answers all night long, benching both Arroyo and Anthony in the second quarter. Jerry Stackhouse got his earliest minutes of the year, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas found himself in the starting center spot for the second half.

What does all that say? It's clear this team is still searching for its identity. 

Does it mean they simply have no chemistry? Of course not.

Does it mean they will search for their identity all year long? Spoelstra and Pat Riley certainly hope not.

And does it mean this experiment is already a failure? Not even remotely close.

There's so many writers calling out the Heat, saying it's going to be a long year on South Beach. Adrian Wojnarowski, who is very talented and has a gift when it comes to writing, released an extensive rant on LeBron James and the Heat this morning. He went into depth spinning James' quotes, exaggerating the Heat's struggles, and basically tearing the team to shreds.

Wojnarowski, however, is like most outside of Miami. It's clear he cannot stand the Miami Heat, or at least LeBron James for that matter. He wants nothing more than for the South Beach Trio to fail, and when they have the slightest hiccup he will spin it to make it seem like the end of the world in Miami. 

Heat fans, pay no attention to articles like these. They are just as irrational as all of the preposterous talk Heat fans made in the offseason, acting like the championship was guaranteed. People want to see this team fail, and make no mistake that when they do, even in the ninth regular season game of the year, they will do their best to make sure everyone knows it.

Where were all of these articles calling out the Heat after their impressive 26 point victory over the Orlando Magic? I don't recall many writers having grave issues to point out after that night.

Now, let's take a look at the Heat's four losses so far. Boston, New Orleans, Utah, and Boston again.

The first Boston loss was understandable. The new Heat team, in their first minutes of regulation basketball together, looked like a new team. Lost and searching for ways to stay in the game, they still managed to make it close and lost by just eight to the talented and experienced Boston Celtics.

Then came New Orleans, and once again two positions exposed the Heat and their defense, point guard and center. Chris Paul had his way with Miami, racking up assist after assist. And Joel Anthony made Emeka Okafor look like a perennial all-star center.

The Heat offense struggled and lacked consistency. They again struggled with ball movement. All of that should add up to an ugly loss for Miami, right? Wrong. Miami still managed to lose by just three points.

Then the Utah Jazz. Well, that one was just ugly for Miami. Blowing a 22 point lead, the Jazz managed to pull off an overtime victory. No excuses for the Heat on this one. They simply fell apart in the second half, perhaps because of over confidence and let Paul Millsap have his way. This was without a doubt the worst loss for the Heat so far this year.

Now, it feels like we're standing back at stage one with Miami after the painful rematch loss to Boston last night. The Celtics simply proved to be the better and more experienced team on this night. The veteran Boston team executed, the Heat did not.

Going into halftime Miami trailed by 15 points, just as they did on opening night. However, the second half was promising for the Heat in that they did manage to outscore the Celtics despite coming up short in the end. Repeatedly shooting themselves in the foot with forced shots and missed free throws, Miami simply didn't give themselves a chance to win the game.

And yet they only lost by five points. On a night where they were drastically outplayed and out coached in the first half and at points where it mattered at the end of the game, the Heat still almost managed to pull the win off.

This is why it's not time to panic yet. This team with no identity hasn't gotten blown out yet, they've found ways to keep tough games close. You've got to think that over time with experience and chemistry building, those close losses will turn into wins. There's no excuse for them not to with the talent this team has.

Remember, it's November 12th today. If it were January 12th and the Heat were still struggling to find an identity, then you, me and the rest of the basketball universe would be sitting here baffled at the failure of the Miami Heat.

But it's not, it's only November.