Heat's Losses Expose Critical Flaws
MIAMI (CBS4) - Miami Heat fans expected some growing pains when the Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh were put together. But, basketball writers and experts saw the flaws that could bring down the Heat; and now, the fans finally see the Heat as a fundamentally flawed team.
When the Big 3 came together, there was talk of sacrifices and even taking less money to join up and pursue a championship. Looking back on it, the Big Three probably should have taken a lot less, because the Heat's bench is awful.
No one expected the likes of Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Eddie House, Mike Miller, James Jones, Erick Dampier, and Joel Anthony to tear up the league. It's just that the group is playing so poorly, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has to wear out his stars to keep up with the league.
Miller has been an especially big bust considering he was given a rich free-agent contract to be the missing piece off the bench. He's contributed all of 5.9 points per game and plays on average nearly 21 minutes per game. Considering his salary, he's been a huge miss for Heat president Pat Riley.
Much has been made of the point guard woes. While Mario Chalmers won't ever be confused with Deron Williams or Rajon Rondo, he is averaging 7 points per game and is tied for second-best three point percentage on the team. Of course, considering the Heat's abysmal three-point shooting, that's not necessarily something to celebrate.
The biggest problem has been at the center position. Zydrunas Ilgauskas can hit a jumper once in a while, but he can't guard quick athletic big men. Erick Dampier has slow feet and is not producing many rebounds per game. And Joel Anthony has a penchant for avoiding the hoop like the plague, or passing the ball to the Heat's ghost player as he did Tuesday night.
As brilliant as Riley was in securing the Big Three, his moves to surround them with role players has been abysmal. It's gotten so bad that fans are chanting for Riley to come down and coach. Of course the last time he coached the Heat, they won 15 games.
For his part, Spoelstra continues to make questionable substitutions, and is not playing House and Jones much, despite their perceived shooting prowess. Jones is the reigning champion in the 3-point competition, and House has one of the quickest releases in the NBA.
What's unknown is if Spoelstra is calling the right plays and the Heat are simply ignoring him or if he just can't manage the egos that came together for the Heat this season.
Opponents are bringing their A-game against the Heat every night, but the Heat can't consistently play good offense and good defense. The last two games against Chicago and Portland graphically illustrated the team's problems.
The Heat are still in the playoffs and could close back in on Boston for the best record in the Eastern Conference if they can start making better decisions from the front office down. But that's a big if given the Heat's schedule in the next eight days.
The Heat play the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Denver Nuggets. Given the way the Heat are playing after Tuesday's loss to the Trail Blazers, it's realistic the Heat could lose all of those games.
First up will be the Lakers, who were thumped by the Heat on Christmas Day last year. Lakers head coach Phil Jackson has been having fun laughing at the Heat and taking shots at them over 'Crygate.' The Lakers are on a tear having won 8 in a row and are making their late season push as the playoffs near.
It will be the tale of two teams going in the opposite direction. For the Heat, they need this victory in the worst way. If the Lakers come in and throttle the Heat, or the Heat lose the game in the final minutes; things are going to get really ugly inside the AmericanAirlines Arena.
Next season, the Heat will gain a mid-level exception to use on a solid free-agent that will help the team out. Plus, the Heat could get Udonis Haslem back next month and have him ready and rested for the playoffs.
The Heat will likely lose Juwan Howard, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Jamaal Magloire, and Erick Dampier after the season. That means the Heat will again be in rebuilding mode under a new salary cap model. Of course, that's assuming there will be an NBA season, which is not guaranteed right now.
The Heat are stuck with Mike Miller; and the team hopes that Dexter Pittman can finally keep the weight off and play up to his potential to help take the pressure off bosh to play a role he's not able to play.
But, for the current season, the Heat had better figure out what ails them fast, or they will be spending the off-season watching another Eastern Conference team play in the NBA Finals.
