Miami Heat: Can Miami's Issues Be Solved By Time and Chemistry Alone?

Whenever I write an article critical of the Miami Heat, I am usually labeled as a hater, but in truth nothing would please me more than to see the Heat and Boston Celtics square off in the 2011 NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

But, before that can happen there are several issues Miami must solve, and contrary to some opinions, not all of these issues can be reconciled by time or better chemistry.

Everyone knows there is a period of adjustment needed for Miami's new trio of stars to grow comfortable playing with each other, and to be honest they have been far above the learning curve in certain areas.

For instance Miami's defense has been the NBA's best through the first eight games of the season, and it will only improve as LeBron James and Dwyane Wade become more comfortable with each other's tendencies.

James and Wade already look comfortable together on the offensive end, and although Chris Bosh is still trying to find his niche, Bosh's 14.8 points per game average is not bad considering the company he keeps.

However there are some issues the Heat have that time will not solve, and regardless of how much patience you possess, they will not simply disappear.

Will time solve Miami's issue with opposing elite point guards?

Can chemistry prompt Bosh to be stronger and more aggressive on the boards?

Will chemistry provide Miami with a player who is capable of establishing a physical post presence?

The answer for each of those questions is no, although sometimes there are people who think that the Heat's talent will eventually provide the solution to those questions.

Eight games is not nearly enough time to predict how a season will unfold for a team, but it is enough time to recognize a team's fatal flaw.

And in this case the Heat have two, which have coincidentally both manifested during each of Miami's three losses.

You can point to other reasons as to why the Heat lost games to the Celtics, New Orleans Hornets and Utah Jazz, but in each instance it boiled down to a disadvantage at the point guard position and in the interior.

The interior has been a concern for Miami since the super team was formed, and so far some players have failed to live up to expectations, while others are ill-suited for the task.

Some people expected Joel Anthony to blossom into an athletic, shot-blocking and rebounding menace, but instead his early start has mirrored the numbers he has averaged most of his career.

Anthony could still become the player so many in Miami see him as, but what indication has he given that his destiny lies in that direction?

Udonis Haslem has been the Heat's most dependable rebounder and defensive post presence, and who really believes Zydrunas Ilglauskas will suddenly become an interior terror at this stage of his career?

In short, is there any post player on Miami's roster who is capable of providing the post presence that they need going forward?

Time can mask some of these concerns because the Heat is more talented than most teams in the East, and one of the answers to their point guard dilemma could involve using James and Wade in that capacity even more.

As the Heat's chemistry improves, blow-outs will become the norm for this team, but unless Miami makes moves to shore up their front-line the issue will remain.

To think Miami would be in panic mode due to these early concerns is ridiculous, but Erick Dampier must be looking better and better with each passing moment.

One reader pointed out that if the Heat were still facing these issues 50 games into the season, then some concern may be warranted. My question is, what has Miami shown so far this season to make a person think they won't?

Time may very well prove that the Miami Heat are indeed one of the best teams in the NBA, but time will not erase their problems in the post.