The Miami Heat started the season off with three wins but at the end of their first week of play, they were 3-2.
There were some very positive signs for Miami in the first week of games. The three wins had them as the only undefeated team left in the Eastern Conference. It was a bit of a statement to open the year after many had written them off following the loss of LeBron James. With those wins, Miami sat atop the conference but has since fallen back to fourth.
Chris Bosh has opened the year looking like a man on a mission. After playing with James for the past four years, Bosh is now back to being the main offensive weapon on his team. It is a role he held in Toronto before he signed with Miami originally and it is a role he's filled admirably thus far this season.
Bosh is averaging 24.2 points and 11 rebounds in 35.6 minutes per game. The forward has scored at least 21 points in each of the five games played. In addition, Bosh has reached double digits in rebounds three times already. Bosh has also stayed solid from three-point range which has been necessary with the team struggling as a whole from downtown.
Dwyane Wade has played in every game and that includes two back-to-back situations. This has been a welcome sight for Miami after Wade missed a number of those games last season. Wade has not only played in those games but he has excelled in them. The veteran has shown a lot of energy and poise this season so far. Wade has averaged 18.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 32 minutes per game.
Norris Cole was handed the starting role to start the year but has not done much to keep a firm grasp on it. Cole in the two losses was especially absent totaling two points combined despite playing a fair share of minutes. The guard missed a number of shots and did not pile up the assists to compensate. If not for the poor play of Mario Chalmers, there may have already been a change to the starting lineup.
With Cole and Chalmers both struggling, rookie guard Shabazz Napier is been getting extended looks. While Napier hasn't provided much either, he's shown some signs of improvement. It is possible Napier could continue to see major minutes such as the 26 and 27 he has seen respectively in the last two games.
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Josh McRoberts missed the first game of the season and has played limited minutes in the last four. After missing the entire preseason, the Heat are being cautious with the forward and sticking with Shawne Williams in the starting lineup. Williams has done a great job filling in especially from three-point range. The Heat were expecting McRoberts to provide them with a deep threat and have been getting that from Williams thus far.
Rebounds have been a major problem for Miami both offensively and defensively. This is despite the excellent work done by Bosh on the inside. The Heat rank near the bottom in the entire NBA when it comes to boards. A lack of second chances on offense combined with the opposition getting multiple shots is something Miami will need to improve on and fast.
The Heat have been without Chris Andersen, Danny Granger and Udonis Haslem for most of the season so far. Andersen has missed the last three games with bruised ribs while Granger has yet to play due to a hamstring injury. Haslem meanwhile is batting an ailment with his quadriceps that has kept him out of every game. All three men should be back soon.
The Heat will continue the season on Saturday with a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
