A Cause For Concern (Not Panic) on South Beach

LeBron James during last week's loss to the Utah Jazz

Currently the Miami Heat (Led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh) have a "pedestrian" record of 6-4.  To an outsider, the Heat have vastly underachieved by losing four of their first ten games.  Experts such as ESPN's Jeff Van Gundy expected the Heat to be a contender to break the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls record for wins in a regular season (72).  Some feel that there is something seriously wrong right now in Miami with the each loss bringing Team President Pat Riley one step closer to returning to the coaching sideline replacing Erik Spoelstra.

Any NBA expert though will tell you that the Heat are simply working out their team weaknesses and the players are learning how to play with each other.  The team was unable to do this in the preseason since Wade missed essentially all of it.  In a few months, expect the Heat to have a lethal fast break with James and Wade running the show with Bosh and a couple of capable sharpshooters in Eddie House and Mike Miller (when he returns to injury).

However, two problems currently exist with the way the Heat are currently constructed.  Right now, Miami could really use a Center who can eat up space on defense and grab rebounds.  Both Joel Anthony and Udonis Haslem are undersized and are unable to match up against the likes of Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol.  Bosh meanwhile often spends his time on the perimeter on offense and is vastly overrated as a defender (see him get posterized by Rajon Rondo).

The Heat also lack a capable Point Guard who is capable of slowing down the league's elite on defense.  In each of the Miami's losses this year, they have been carved up by All-Star Point Guards (Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo and Deron Williams).

Miami should still be able to cruise to the best record in the Eastern Conference this year.  The big test will come in the post season against either Boston or the Los Angeles Lakers who each present a plethora of big men to exploit Miami's weakness.  Little did anyone know in the off season that someone like (prospective free agent) Erick Dampier could possibly hold the keys for the Heat's playoff success.  Riley has one more urgent recruiting pitch to persuade Dampier (or any other big men) to join "Miami Thrice" on South Beach.