Does Supporting Cast Make The Grade?
Although many people may remember the signings of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh to the Miami Heat as team president Pat Riley’s crowning achievement as an executive, he also managed to sign some suitable complementary pieces. This core could dominate the next decade and become the dynasty that Riley wants to build.
As the Heat's fourth-biggest off-season acquisition, Mike Miller will be the fourth option even though he will probably come off the bench. He can easily score double figure points and averaged 18.5 points per game just three seasons ago. The University of Florida product is a dead-eye shooter who will receive a plethora of open looks with Wade and James driving and dishing. He can handle the ball, but I envision him mostly roaming around the three-point line or coming off of screens with the Heat. Miller is versatile enough to play the two or the three, and can step up if Wade or James is injured or struggling. If he goes off for 20 points, the Big Three could combine for 60 points and Miami could still win.
In addition to giving Miller a five-year deal, Riley also asked Heat owner Micky Arison to open his wallet for Joel Anthony. I still like Anthony as the starter over Zydrunas Ilgauskas because he can run the floor. With all of the athleticism that the Miami Thrice has, it would be foolish not to run a fast-break offense. James is most effective in the transition game, when he is a running locomotive who can finish over contact or make the extra pass. Anthony provides interior defense to catalyze that offense, and he will also play with energy and intensity. Offensively, Anthony can bring centers to the perimeter with his screen-setting. He’s also gotten better with his catching every single year, so don’t be surprised if he finishes when James throws him a bullet pass.
Udonis Haslem is another diamond-in-the-rough type that will contribute this season. Knowing how highly Riley and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra think of him, Haslem could see a lot of time at the center position. He played a lot of center in 2008-09 before Miami traded for Jermaine O’Neal, so he has some experience at that position. Haslem can also run the floor well, and playing him in the middle with someone long like Chris Bosh could mitigate any defensive deficiencies he has against some bigger players. He is a good rebounder and can engage in those pick-and-pops that he has done for the past seven seasons. Ilgauskas will play some, but he can’t run with the rest of the Heat. Furthermore, the Heat coaching staff may want to keep Ilgauskas fresh for the playoffs and limit his minutes during the regular season.
After Riley waved goodbye to Daequan Cook, Michael Beasley and Dorell Wright this season, Mario Chalmers became Miami’s youngest returning player. With the arrival of a play-maker in James, Chalmers can play off the ball more, similar to how he played in Kansas. All he’ll be asked to do is make open shots and defend.
Riley also knew that Chalmers regressed significantly after a promising rookie season, though, which is why he signed Carlos Arroyo and Eddie House. House is a knock-down shooter who brings championship experience from his 2008 run with the Boston Celtics while Arroyo can set up an offense and hit the open mid-range shot. In order to keep everyone happy, Spoelstra may have Arroyo back up Chalmers and give House Wade’s back-up minutes. Miller could back-up James and also play with Wade and James to close games.
The Heat’s training camp, which opens Sept. 28, will be pivotal to the development of this team. This team needs to develop chemistry early to take the League by storm. I know Wade, James and Bosh played with each other in the Olympics, but building a championship team is also about playing with the next five or six players on the roster. I was happy to hear that the Heat will play the maximum eight exhibition games. Riley has done a fantastic job of bringing in very good players to this organization. It is up to the players and coaches to win a championship this June.
