Miami Heat: Grading LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Current Roster

When it rains, it pours.

At least it does in Miami.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will work to reassure us that a new season will breath new life into their South Beach ambitions.

But we all know there ain't no second prize.

Anything short of a championship, in the wake of their NBA Finals loss to the Mavericks, will be considered a failure.

But can the current crop go one better?

Note: Due to the current NBA lockout situation, only players contracted for the 2011-12 NBA season are considered.

A-Graders

LeBron James

Dwyane Wade

Chris Bosh

No surprises here.

There's as much star power in South Beach as there was at Woodstock.

And while the trio were super impressive through the first 18 games of the postseason, they were equally laborious through the final three.

Expect James or even Wade to challenge heavily for the MVP through the regular season. I can't see Derrick Rose going back-to-back with the same numbers.

B-Graders

Mike Miller

Mario Chalmers

Chalmers was particularly impressive through the NBA Finals, showing a newfound potency from the perimeter.

While Miller's season was riddled by injury, he showed glimpses that reminded us why he was once the best non-starter in the game.

Both will play large roles in the Heat's success in 2011-12.

Role Players

Udonis Haslem

Joel Anthony

Eddie House

Haslem could certainly lay claim to being a B-Grader, but he did miss nearly all of the 2010-11 season.

Fully fit, he'll see big minutes and his energy could turn games, just like in the Chicago series.

Anthony's defense is a real highlight, and if he can develop an offensive game, the starting-five spot is all his.

House lost his spot in the rotation through most of the playoffs, but can expect to find his way back in, especially if Bibby doesn't return.

Making Up the Numbers

Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Dexter Pittman

Patrick Beverley

Kenny Hasbrouck

Big Z is yet to indicate whether or not he'll hang around for the upcoming season.

Regardless, he can no longer keep pace with the game and saw himself out of the rotation for most of the playoffs.

Verdict

Best Case Scenario

World Champions. James takes home the Finals MVP to finally silence the critics.


Worst Case Scenario

A season-long lockout. With the Big Three at the peak of their powers, the last thing Miami needs is to sit in the locker room.


Prediction

The Heat cruise to the best record in the league and the Eastern Conference title. Kobe Bryant and the Lakers await them in the finals.