Miami Heat Report Card: Grading LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Co. On December
December was a great month for the Miami Heat. No longer do we hear calls for the firing of Erik Spoelstra or about how Chris Bosh just doesn't mesh well with LeBron James or Dwyane Wade.
The Heat broke an NBA record by going undefeated at 10-0 on the road for the month of December. Overall, Miami went 15-1 for the month and currently sit tied for the best record in the Eastern Conference with the Boston Celtics.
The Heat had big victories against the Los Angleles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz and New York Knicks, but still could not get passed Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks.
Here are grades for each player on the Heat for the month of December...
Carlos Arroyo
1 of 11
Arroyo has maintained his starting job throughout the month despite losing significant minutes to Mario Chalmers. Overall, Arroyo has been efficient in his role as point guard by limiting his turnovers and shooting a high percentage from beyond the arc.
However, Arroyo has also had some inconsistencies. He is sometimes too hesitant in his decision-making and misses wide-open jump shots. While his three-point shooting percentage is amongst the top of the NBA, much of that is a consequence of double-teams that LeBron James and Dwyane Wade draw.
Grade: B-
Dwyane Wade
2 of 11
Dwyane Wade certainly took his game to the next level in the month of December. To end the month, Wade put together back-to-back 40-plus point performances against the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks.
Wade has been particularly impressive in his ability to take over games when LeBron James is on the bench. While Wade and James still haven't seemed to mesh to their highest potential, the fact that the Heat have two superstars allows the team to have at least one superstar giving a maximum effort throughout the entire game.
On a side note, Wade has also stepped up his game on the defensive end, specifically by shutting down Kobe Bryant on Christmas Day. Moreover, his three-point shooting is much improved this month.
Grade: A
LeBron James
3 of 11
As terrific as Dwyane Wade has played, LeBron James is the most valuable player on this Miami Heat team. James as certainly embraced his role of the villain as well as all of the boos that have rained down on him in opposing arenas.
James has been both a scorer and facilitator. He averages over seven assists in addition to carrying a major load of the scoring burden.
Perhaps most important is LeBron's defense. He often sets the tone defensively with his hustle plays, steals and blocked shots. Furthermore, his defense often turns to offense off of fast break points.
The Heat start and end with LeBron James. Without him on top of his game, they can still win, but it is a far more difficult task.
Grade: A
Chris Bosh
4 of 11
Chris Bosh continues to be the quiet difference-maker for the Miami Heat. In Saturday's game against Golden State when the Heat fell behind by 20 points, Bosh kept the Heat close by scoring 18 points in the first half.
Bosh is severely underrated as a rebounder putting up double-digit rebound totals in seven games this December. Additionally, Bosh shoots a terrific percentage from the field. In 12 out of 16 games in the month of December, Bosh shot better than 50 percent from the field.
Grade: A-
Zydrunas Illgauskas
5 of 11
Illgauskas has started for the Heat at the center position as part of a three-man rotation including him, Joel Anthony and Erick Dampier. Illgauskas has been highly effective at hitting the open jump shot created by LeBron James drives.
The problem with Illgauskas has involved his defense. Illgauskas has been entirely too slow in guarding some opposing centers. Consequently, Erik Spoelstra has turned to Joel Anthony to close out games particularly against teams like the New York Knicks with quick frontcourt players.
Grade: B
Mario Chalmers
6 of 11
Despite not starting, Chalmers has been getting the majority of minutes at point guard for the Heat. Chalmers played terrific defense in the month of December; however, he had his own fair share of difficulties.
While one could praise his lack of hesitation and confidence in his shot, Chalmers has sometimes been too quick to pull the trigger from beyond the arc. Additionally, Chalmers has seen his own fair share of foul trouble mostly due to aggressive defense and reaching in.
Grade: B
Joel Anthony
7 of 11
Similar to Chalmers, Joel Anthony has played the role of finisher for the Miami Heat despite not starting games. Anthony's playing time has been inconsistent depending on the type of opposing center. Generally, Anthony has had an increased role against quicker, more mobile opposing centers.
Anthony's statistics are nothing to write home about, but often his hustle plays do not show up in the stat sheet. On the offensive end, Anthony often tips out rebounds and extends plays. Defensively, Anthony has been a terrific shot-blocker and forced players to alter their shots to get around him.
Grade: B+
James Jones
8 of 11
Jones started off December hot from beyond the arc but gradually cooled off as the month came to a close. In the last seven games of the month, Jones went just 6-27 from the three-point line. Since Jones' sole role with the Heat is to be a three-point specialist, when he fails to shoot well he is a major detriment to the team.
However, Jones has found a way to contribute defensively and leads the team in charges taken. Still, Jones needs to recover his hot shooting or will likely lose major minutes to Mike Miller when Miller regains his form.
Grade: C+
Juwan Howard
9 of 11
Howard has seen extended minutes in the absence of Udonis Haslem this season. Howard is simply too old to handle most opposing power forwards. The requirement to get around Juwan Howard is generally a pulse.
Howard does manage to grab a couple rebounds per game, but he often fails to hit wide open jump shots and is simply too slow to play in the Miami Heat offense.
Grade: D
Mike Miller
10 of 11
Miller returned for the final five games of December. He has been slow to readjust to game speed and may need a couple more weeks to enter into the regular Heat rotation.
Grade: N/A
Erick Dampier
11 of 11
Dampier's minutes have also been limited depending on the matchup with opposing centers. Dampier has moved well and exhibited strong rebounding during his tenure with the Heat.
Dampier seems like the third option at the center position for the Heat, but does tend to see more time against bigger opposing centers. He has been a good shot-blocker on the defensive end as well.
Grade: B
