5 Takeaways From Miami Heat’s Early-Season Play

Despite the Heat’s ability to assemble a talented roster, head coach Erik Spoelstra has his work cut out for him by trying to mix and match those pieces to create the best lineup possible. Spoelstra has used the same starting lineup through every game this season but has been unable to find a steady bench unit thus far. For the Heat to be successful, each player needs to have an identifiable role to hang his hat on, which starts with Spoelstra.

When LeBron James bolted from Miami this summer, the Heat were left with a huge void at small forward. Enter Luol Deng, who was a thorn in the side of James and the Heat as a member of the Chicago Bulls. While Deng can never replace James, he provides a much-needed punch to complement the team’s remaining two stars. Deng’s breakout game with the Heat came against the Dallas Mavericks, as the 11-year forward scored 30 points on 13-of-19 shooting.

In 2010, the Heat became the center of the NBA universe when James, Wade and Bosh joined forces in Miami. That’s why, after four years of microscopic scrutiny and pressure, it was a relief when James left. The team no longer has a bulls-eye on their back, but expectations have grown, as the Heat’s presence within Miami culture is greater than before. The Heat must find a way to remain relevant without having James to rely on anymore.

With James out of the picture, Bosh was able to re-sign with the Heat for a lucrative five-year deal worth $ 118 million. Bosh is being paid to be the team’s superstar, and he has not disappointed, as the 12-year forward has accepted the extra burden placed on him this year. For the Heat to be an upper-echelon team, Bosh needs to deliver each and every night, and if he does, expect him to be a top MVP candidate.

Despite having their top three options solidified, the Heat still need more from the rest of their team. Mario Chalmers has been his normal self, and Norris Cole has had flashes of brilliance. Chris Andersen and Josh McRoberts need to use their size to help the Heat inside, while James Ennis and Shabazz Napier have also received plenty of playing time. Spoelstra needs other players to step up, but the question is: Who’s ready for the challenge?