Your read on the Miami Heat at the quarter point

Nearly one quarter of the way through the season the Heat is 10-9, after a 3-2 West Coast trip.  Following Wednesday's game the Heat was seventh in the East, and four games behind Orlando for the Southeast Division lead. Two of the wins came against shorthanded teams (Phoenix was without Steve Nash and Utah was missing Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko) but that should not detract from what this team accomplished. So long as Dwyane Wade stays healthy, and he continues to get help from the supporting cast, this looks like a playoff team.

Sure this team may hover around .500 for much of the season and experience growing pains because of its youth. Despite its deficiencies this team is showing some important intangibles. Just use the West Coast trip as the guide. This team has resilience, is gritty and these guys seem to genuinely like being around each other. Even though some may say the youth/inexperience is a weakness it seems like there is some good coming out of it. The young guys seem to bounce back even after a bad game almost as if they're too naive and don't know any better. This team works hard (i.e. the intense practice on Thanksgiving after a 38-point loss in Portland, its worst defeat this season), but they have fun. There seems to be a good balance of being focused and serious when needed and letting loose when its appropriate. After practice ended and players cooled down, waiting for the bus, the youngster--Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers, Daequan Cook and Joel Anthony--playfully bickered with each other over where they would go for lunch and who would be picking up the tab.

While there is an element of fun on occasion, the players seem to respond to the coaching staff and coach Erik Spoelstra is in tune with this team.

What's your outlook? Has this team met, surpassed or fallen short of your expectations in the early going?

Comments

[pugtv]

We're performing within expectations. We have very little chance against teams with a big frontline (Houston, Toronto, Portland) but we're competitive against most other teams.

One thing is for sure, this team is a heck of a lot more fun to watch than last year's team.

[Khalil]

I am happy with where this team is heading. I like how the younger players are carrying themselves. I think Michael Beasley is proving the naysayers wrong by how well he has handled coming off the bench and being mature about the matter. D-Wade is, well D-Wade. I watched every game of the Olympics and could not wait to see him hit the court again in a Heat jersey. Haslem is overachieving and that has been great. The Matrix is the only piece I'm somewhat disappointed in. He has been a favorite for me over the years and I'm still not seeing what made him that for me. I am looking forward to the other players coming off injury to see how they can help this team. I agree that this team will be a playoff team and will continue to improve as the season rolls on. GO HEAT!!!

[mikey]

I like the fact that Wade came into the season with an open mind and good attitude knowing he was going to play with 2 rookies, a rookie coach and without a good big man. He could've easily gone the Kobe route and trash the team and ask for a trade or Lebron's wait til 2010 approach. But instead Wade spent the offseason working his butt off in Chicago tryig to make himself the best player. Instead of saying trade me to a contender, Wade has been trying to make this team a contender and trying to lead this young team. I hope that Beasley can be that great number 2 option alongside Wade because I think that's all we need for another title.

[BigD]

I am very pleased with the way Coach Spo has these young guys playing. Their defense is relentless and the fast breaks are exciting. I've heard the rumors about DWade leaving in 2010...but I am to believe that is the year these young Heaters are going to turn it up even hotter wanting DWade to extend his contract for another 5 years!! If we can pick up a solid C...watch out...its over, the Championship's in the bag!! BTW, that is also the year the Hurricanes Football will win the National Championship!

[Chevyboy79]

Overall (and considering the personel we have) this team is actually doing much better than I anticipated. However, Riley needs to get Wade a consistent 2nd option. Beasley will become that once he starts staying out of foul trouble and gains some experience. Marion is disappointing me so far and he needs to be included in a package deal to get us a legit big man and possibly a point guard (although Chalmers is doing a good job so far). This teams future looks good and Spolstra (spelling) is proving to be a good coach that has the potential to be a great coach. Lets go Heat!

[Phillip]

On track with a less than perfect roster, but if you believe Wade is top five in the league (I certainly do), then you would expect at least .500 ball and playoffs, especially in the East.

PG has been a bit better than expected, and 10-9 comes w/Udonis at center, so if Magloire can do anything, we're probably a .600 team and 4-5 seed. How that goes in postseason is anyone's guess, though. Honestly, if Livingston and Magloire really have anything left and the team morale/spirit stays upbeat, East Conf. Finals not out of the question -- D-Wade is always good for a few breakout/dominant games in the postseason where he carries the team to a win. But if we want to have another parade down Biscayne, this team needs either another element or another couple of years.

Either way, I am quite happy with the team, attitude and the rest, especially in light of 2007-2008. Go Spo!

[CTheatfan]

If anybody has been disappointing it's B-easy horrible defense and him not being able to stay on the floor without fouling. With Marion atleast he hustles on both defense and offense, getting steals, easy buckets, and rebounds...however dude just seems like an overpaid James Posey minus the 3point shooting and his shot makes me cringe =/.

Beasley seems so damn slow on the floor...physically and mentally. I know he's only a rookie but how hard is it to get a rebound or pass the ball without turning it over. His offense is wonderful but defense win games. I would hate to see Beasley without Haslem or Marion. His horrible defense would get exposed even more. I know he will improve as the season goes on but his defense and basketball I.Q. has been worst than I expected.

I see us a 6-8 playoff team. Hopefully Beasley improves soon as possible so we wont need Marion and can trade him for a good center.

[WI Heat fan]

Whats the news on Zo is he getting healthy and also James Jones?

[Dom]

I know we R all rooting for Lebron to sign here in 2010, but Chris Bosh would be the perfect prize to add to wade, beasley, haslem, marion(7-9 m per season). If we get it together , maybe we can win 45-50. YOu never know. I was expecting us to be like 7-12 or so now, if that. do be above 500 this far into the season is good. Usually, the 2nd half is when good teams win more and bad teams lose more(us last year) so, if we can be 23-17 or so at the 40 game mark, we have good shot to be a top 4 seed. Also, you never know what the trade deadline will bring. GUys, we have been in alot of games. But your not giving marion props, fine, he is not an outside shooter, but he does the little things that help win, a steal, a tip in, block, where as the games he has been out, we look out of sync ---I still would get the beas back into the lineup, but technically(la game) we are 4-1 on the road with Jo El in the lineup, so maybe the scorer off the bench for his rookie year is a good thing.

[Dom]

we all forget about james jones, YOu add him and cook in at the same time when we go small, that can be devastating. ZO and JJ is like a trade at the deadline that can put us in the upper echelon-----And sorry guys, but if zo is healthy, he might want to start, if he is the zo of 06, thats the missing piece right now.

[frank_at_305]

Zo didn't ask to start last season, so I don't think he will do it now. He understands that he is just a 20 (max) MPG, but he brings added fire and more importantly, he shows Anthony defense by example. Nothing like watching Zo bang around with centers much bigger than him and still maintain control of the paint.

I am not banking on any trades, because other teams know the baggage we have (Blount, Diawara, Magloire, Banks and Livingston) and will demand too much for what I consider serviceable but pedestrian centers. There is really no top-notch 5 available for what we would offer.

Riley - and his coaches - have been very good at developing marginal bigs and have them produce within the team concept, so my bet would be that they will do the same with Magloire and Anthony and wait for the opportunity to get/draft a good one.

Regardless, it is fun to see a young team grow, stumbling and learning along the way.

[Joesmoove]

What up Heat Fans! I am from the Bronx NY and am a proud Heat Fan.

My analogy of the first quarter is that I am pleased so far with our performance. We must consider that this is a young team that is playing with each other for the first time. DWade is being a leader and a playmaker and a defensive force as well a a vocal leader. He is playing the best basketball of his career. He once again is the best player in the world again. It began in 2006, then the injuries, then the naysayers, then the haters, then the Olympic tryouts, that the haters said he should not play. Then the Olympics, then his dominance, sheer explosion, sheer entertainment. I felt the game change once he came in. I mean, literally, watching him come in, my adrenalin would shift on. That is crazy! He was the best performer at the Olympics period!.

Then the season predictions, he was no where in the MVP talk. It was all about either Kobe or Lebron.

Then the season started, we had some early growing pains, still do, we had injuries, we have not been whole yet, then all of a sudden, we see a defensive prowess taking place, led my DWade, then he starts having big ALL AROUND games, then that game where Mario had like 12 steals, then Wade starts dunking heads off, then Quinny and Cook start hitting daggers, then Beasley has problems, then the blowout in Portland,then Joel emerges, then Coach makes a bold move, Beas off the bench, for the Phoenix game, then the scorching of the Suns, then the West Coast trip finishes and we have a winning record and here we are.

I am happy. DWade is again proving that when healthy, no one is better, period. Look at his stats! If he were to hit a couple more free throws, he would be at 30ppg. He lead the league in scoring, 3rd in steals, 7th in assists, his D is sick and his change of direction on his drives are something I have never seen done before! The haters are still haters, I guess we need that to make the end result much sweeter.

One scenario for you, Imagine we get a very low seed and face Cleveland in the first round, then Wade eliminates Bron, then What? MVP! The only way he wins it is by the teams success, his stats will be crazy, we see that already, but the teams success will be the capper. If they make the second round or further and he does what he as always done on the big stage, then it is his.

By the Allstar break, he will be the full buzz and he will win the AllStar MVP and we go from there.

Peace
J

[dennis]

the 2 biggest Spo. decisions so far: (1)-giving Wade the ball and allowing him to control the game more. (2)-bringing Beasely off the bench and starting a "real" center

[phil]

I am not going to jump the gun yet. I like what I see so far. I do believe that Miami heeds a real big man that can give the team at least 13 points 10 rebounds per game. I like Marion, but if we can trade him for a big center, or a nother big that can shoot then I am all for it when James Jones comes off the injury, and Dorell makes it back as well. I hope we don't pick-up Marbury because that would take away from Mario's development. I believe that Mario will be better next year. I think that the Heat can make the play-offs maybe between 6-8 seat. I would be satisfied if they make the play-off and that is it. When you look at a team that was 15-67 last year and are now 10-9 with a new coach, a new point guard, no center, and a new power forward that is impressive. The next 5-6 games are winable games against teams that they are better than and should win against. If they do win at least 4 out of 6 i will be really satisfied for the season.