Miami Heat: 7 Questions the Team Must Answer Before the NBA Playoffs
In just one offseason, Pat Riley and the Miami Heat have built what many have labeled an instant championship contender.
At times we have witnessed what appears to be an elite team with a legitimate chance at winning the NBA Championship.
At other times we have witnessed a team that appears to be in complete disarray.
Who are the Miami Heat?
With a 48-22 record, the Heat are certainly expected to make a run for the championship this post-season.
However, this is not the second coming of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls who went 72-10 that many were predicting.
This isn't the Miami Heat that many thought would gallop into NBA arenas, inflicting an insurmountable amount of fear into opponents and winning by sizable margins every night.
Are the Heat really capable of winning a championship, or are they more likely to find themselves on the golf course this upcoming June?
This list takes an in-depth look at the Miami Heat and the issues they will have to address if they intend on winning an NBA Championship.
No. 7: Are Miami Heat Fans Able to Make a Difference?
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On July 9th 2010, the Miami Heat announced that all available season tickets were sold out.
With the introduction of the "Big Three" everyone assumed that the Miami Heat games would sell out.
Instead, the Heat struggled to sell out the home opener and fans have made it a routine to arrive late at games.
The Heat, in response, have launched "Fan Up," a campaign aimed to get fans more punctual and intimidating.
As paying customers, the fans have every right to show up whenever they want. However, if they expect their team to win, then they'll need to arrive on time to create an intimidation factor.
This question has a simple answer: arrive on time and make as much noise as you possibly can.
There's a correlation between noise and intimidation, as a recent NBA Players survey discovered that the Utah Jazz have the loudest fans and subsequently have the most intimidating arena in the league.
No. 6: Can the Miami Heat Bench Step Up?
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The Miami Heat bench has been consistently criticized for their lack of production this season.
With a heavy emphasis placed on the starters, the bench will need to step up if this team wants to win it all.
The Heat, who have had their share of backcourt problems, need to rely on someone to step up and hit the shot when the starters are not on the floor.
Mike Bibby and Eddie House both need to step up and drastically increase their field goal shooting percentages if this team believes it has a chance at making it far in the playoffs.
The Heat will also need the back-court to increase assists, as they currently rank 28th in the NBA with 19.6 assists a game.
No. 5: Will Udonis Haslem Be Healed?
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During the 2005-06 Miami Heat championship run, power forward Udonis Haslem averaged 7.4 rebounds and shot an .493 from the field during 22 playoff games.
He was instrumental during this campaign because of his toughness, will and effective shooting.
Haslem, who has missed the majority of the season because of a torn ligament in his left foot, appears to be ahead of schedule and could return soon.
He has been actively participating in shooting drills and other various practice workouts.
This is good news for Heat fans because they desperately need his toughness, ability to box out, spot-up shooting and leadership, if they intend on making a run in the playoffs.
No. 4: Will Chris Bosh Find His Aggression?
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Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh has explicitly stated that he wants the ball more.
If Bosh wants the ball more then he is going to have to work for it.
The 6'11'' 235-pound power forward averages 2.5 less rebounds than he did last year and is shooting considerably less from the field.
He'll need to stop settling for elbow jumpers and use his size and quickness to drive to the basket.
He is averaging his lowest amount of rebounds per game (8.3) since his rookie season in 2003-04 where Bosh averaged 7.4 rebounds per game.
No. 3: Are LeBron James and Dwyane Wade Willing to Change Their Attitudes?
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Enough is enough.
Dwyane Wade called the Celtics, the "big brother to the Miami Heat."
They then proceeded to get roughed up by 171 pound guard Rajon Rondo.
Then, when faced with adversity after a losing streak, Wade sarcastically stated: "The world is now a better place because the Heat are losing."
Wade and LeBron need to stop deferring, stop providing the media with ammunition, accept their roles as villains and simply play basketball.
These two have provided sound-bytes all season long, and in order for them to progress in the post-season, they will both need to stop talking and start playing basketball.
The past is the past, put "Crygate" aside, put the preliminary celebrations which were held in the offseason, behind you.
James and Wade are leaders, and in order to be effective this postseason, they will both need to shut up and let their games do the talking for them.
No. 2: Does Erik Spoelstra Have the Team Under His Control?
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If the Heat intend to be successful this post-season, then the players will need to trust Erik Spoelstra.
The players have publicly questioned whether or not Spoelstra was the right man for the job in the past.
That window is now shut after team president Pat Riley stated that Spoelstra has his full support.
There has been a lack of continuity between LeBron James and Erik Spoelstra this season but that will need to change in the postseason.
Their only option is to work together if they intend on winning.
No. 1: Will Dwyane Wade Step Up and Demand the Ball in the Clutch?
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If we have learned one thing this season about the Miami Heat it is the fact that the ball should not be in LeBron's hands in the closing seconds of the game.
James has had endless opportunities to prove that he could hit a game winner; he simply hasn't.
It's time for Dwyane Wade to demand the ball in the clutch.
He has won an NBA championship in the past and is well aware of what it takes to win.
Is Wade willing to demand the ball? Is LeBron willing to give up the ball? Is Spoelstra willing to intervene and make the right decision?
Only time will tell, but the Miami Heat need to address this issue before heading into the playoffs or it could be a very short post-season for basketball's biggest enemies: The Miami Heat.
