Miami Heat 2009-2010 Preview

By General
for NBA-Basketball.org

Published: October 21, 2009

Background of 2009-2010 Miami Heat

The Miami Heat have the third best basketball player on the planet today, so straight off the bat the Heat are a team that no team can take lightly. The Miami Heat proved that they are one of the East’s best teams in 2009, with a swift turnaround from a disastrous prior season. They are hoping to build on this and take the next step to become championship contenders. This will be no easy feat, but the Heat don’t have the luxury of waiting around with Dwyane Wade becoming a free agent next year and despite some indications that he would like to stay, it will all depend on how well the Heat fare this year in the playoffs. Heat GM Pat Riley was close to making some big moves that would have brought in Carlos Boozer and Lamar Odom, and would have made the Heat instant contenders, but his plans fell through. Instead Heat fans will have to settle with an offseason that saw Beasley go to rehab, and Quentin Richardson and Carlos Arroyo being the only additions.

Heat additions in 2010

Quentin Richardson

Carlos Arroyo

Heat departures in 2010

Probably Starting Lineup for the 2009 2010 Miami Heat

PG – Mario Chalmers
SG – Dwyane Wade
SF – Michael Beasley
PF – Udonis Haslem
C – Jermaine O’Neal

Miami Heat Guards

Dwyane Wade was the runner MVP last season, and if people are expecting him to drop off, they will be in for a surprise. After a full healthy season and the off season to take a nice rest, Wade should be able to land his first MVP title given that the Heat win enough games. As far as starting point guards go, Mario Chalmers and Carlos Arroyo will be in a nice dogfight to claim that position for themself. Chalmers has the upside, but Arroyo is a proven starting PG that will fit in well and see some minutes. Daequan Cook and Quentin Richardson will have to battle it out for the limited minutes as Wade’s reserve. Both players are capable of knocking it down beyond the arc, with Cook having the advantage of being more familiar with the system and being more in shape.

Miami Heat Forwards

The biggest question surrounding Miami Heat’s frontcourt is obviously Mr. Michael Beasley, the second round pick of last year’s draft. He was facing life problems that spilled on to the media through his Twitter account, and he spent a good part of the summer in rehabilitation. The Heat will need Beasley to become a driving force on this team and help shoulder the scoring load that Wade has been asked to carry for so long. The only other alternatives at the small forward spot is veteran James Jones and up and coming player Dorell Wright. Dorell has shown flashes of what he can do, but needs to polish his game more if he’s aiming to see increased minutes. Udonis Haslem holds down the fort at the 4 spot and will have another strong season and go largely unnoticed. Joel Anthony is 6’9 but played big minutes last year at the PF and C positions with the Heat facing injuries. A lot of analysts and Heat fans rate the recently discovered 27 year old quite highly, and we should see strong contributions from him off the bench.

Miami Heat Centers

Jermaine O’Neal at one point in his career was being compared to the likes of Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace, and Tim Duncan. Today he is a shadow of his former self, but still more than a capable starting center able to compete against Eastern Conference elite big men like Garnett, Shaq,Dwight Howard. If JO happens to injure himself again, then Jamal Magloire will be counted on to guard the paint. Having been an All-Star himself, Magloire is a good backup center option to have.

Best Case Scenario for the Miami Heat

Honestly the best case for the Miami Heat to trade for Carlos Boozer during the season and give one of the Eastern Conference Big 3 a decent challenge. If they do so then the Heat might get Wade back and have a chance to develop their young starters such as Chalmers and Beasley while looking for some more pieces that could make this team a championship contender in future years.

Worst Case Scenario for the Miami Heat

The East has gotten more competitive this year with the Wizards,Raptors,76ers,Bulls, and Hawks all at least as likely to make the playoffs as the Heat. If Beasley doesn’t step it up a level, and Jermaine O’Neal doesn’t give a productive season, this team will not make the playoffs and Wade will be on the market making this team go back to rebuilding mode.

Heat 2010 Outlook

The Heat will sneak into the playoffs due in large part to constant Wade heroics. A first round exit will ensue after facing off against the Eastern Conference elites.

Miami Heat 2010 Predictions

Record: 43-39

Surprise Player: Michael Beasley bouncing back from tough times for an All-Star worthy season

Key Player: Jermaine O’Neal and whether he can stay healthy and have an impact.

That wraps up the Miami Heat 2009-2010 season preview and our detailed look at the Heat in the 2010 NBA season.

Author:General

General has written 32 articles for us.

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