Miami Heat ‘08 Season Recap

NBA champs? Not quite. But the Miami Heat improved drastically this past season behind the stellar play of megastar Dwyane Wade. They improved their win total by an astonishing 28 games. Although they bowed out in the first round of the playoffs, the future looks bright in Miami.

Both Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers showed a ton of potential in their rookie season and both have the ability to be all star caliber players in the league.

If Beasley improves his defensive decision making, he is going to receive big minutes next year. His offense was the only thing that kept him on the floor at times this season, and this was evident all year. He should be a 20 and 8 guy in year two.

Chalmers had more of an impact from day one. The second round gem started all 82 games as a rookie and showed an impeccable touch from three point range with his smooth stroke and a knack for getting into the passing lanes on the defensive end. If he can learn how to manage a game more effectively, which will come with more experience, and improve on finishing his drives around the basket, he will be a terror for opposing coaches to deal with. The guy looks like he will be a complete point guard in the years to come.

Wade, Beasley, and Chalmers make up a very strong nucleus to build around for years, assuming Wade re-signs in July or next year. Jermaine O’Neal was never the long-term answer and is simply a stop gap player to keep the team competing.

The Heat will make some real noise when his 24 million dollar salary comes off the books next summer and when guys like Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudamire, and Yao Ming become available in what might be the most talented free agent class in NBA history.

The Heat bench was solid but not spectacular this year as it was filled with inconsistencies. Second-year guard Daquan Cook showed immense improvement early on, torching opponents from deep with his quick release. However, after he won the 3-Point Shootout over all star weekend, his shooting was as consistent as the color of Craig Sager’s suit.

Sager

Joel Anthony, is a quality reserve center with great defensive awareness. If only he didn’t shoot the ball like Shaq from the line, except from all over the court. James Jones and Chris Quinn were nothing more than average and who knows what is going on with the uber-talented, but underused Dorrel Wright.

One guy that seemed to fit right in with Miami from the time he arrived was Jamarrio Moon. The guy can defend, shoot, and finish with the best of them and hopefully he is retained for next year. Although for some Heat fans, this wasn’t the type of season they envisioned, it was a success measured by the dramatic improvement from last year.

This young group is only going to get better and they have the star (Wade) and front office (Pat Riley and Mickey Arison) to get this team back to elite status. Remember, when there is a Wade there is a way.

Tags: beasley, chalmers, cook, heat, miami, miami heat, o'neal, wade