by Makoy

Created on: August 12, 2009

A once proud franchise in the late 90's and a champion during the 2005-06 NBA season, the Miami Heat have gone downhill once again. After winning the title in 2006, the Heat had two first round playoffs losses (2006-07 and 2008-09) and failed to make it to the playoffs once (2007-08). A few coaching changes, major injuries, and minor internal conflicts have all summed up into the team's dismal performances. Is it too late for Miami to climb back as among the league's elite? Not yet.

1.) Dwyane Wade - After his return from his knee injury, Wade has been a lot better. He won the scoring title during the 2008-09 season by averaging a career high 30.2 points a game. Wade also averaged career highs 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks a game while averaging 5.0 assists a game (third career best in 6 seasons). He also played in a total of 79 games in 38.6 minutes a game, both are also career highs. Wade has become the team's anchor since the departure of most of it's stars like Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning, Gary Payton, Jason Williams, Antione Walker, and lately Shawn Marion. Wade's spectacular 2008-09 season could be a preview of better things to come for Miami. The better news? He's still 27 years old.

2.) Support for Dwyane Wade - Just like what Larry Brown did to Allen Iverson in Philadelphia back in 2000, Erik Spoelstra can do the same to the Miami Heat and Wade. Knowing Wade's relentless scoring and his ability to carry the team on his offensively, it's apparent that with a good support cast, the Heat can go far. Michael Beasley is a good back up support for Wade but might need some more time to develop. Beasley had a decent rookie season averaging 13.9 points and 5.4 rebounds in 81 games but only started in 19 games. Though picked 2nd overall during the 2008 NBA Draft, Beasley wasn't given a role in the starting five because of the presence of Shawn Marion and Udonis Haslem which gave him limited minutes. Now that Marion is gone, Beasley can now take over and be Wade's top sidekick. Jermaine O'Neal on the other hand can provide Miami a better interior presence since Mourning and Shaq. Turning 31 at the start of the 2009-2010 season, O'Neal logged in 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 blocks a game for Miami in 27 games since being traded from Toronto. Though O'Neal's dominance have diminished over the years since his Indiana Pacers' haydays, the 6'11 center/forward can still be a valuable support for Miami's cause. Apart from Beasley

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