Analyzing the Heat's Game 1 Victory

The Miami Heat opened up with a home game against the rival Boston Celtics on Tuesday, and won it despite league MVP Lebron James having to leave early with cramps. It was a hard fought battle that the Heat pulled through and won. Many players stepped up their game, and I'll go through some of the key performers and how their contributions helped achieve this satisfying win.

Free Agent Signing:Ray Allen

         An amazing summer just got even more precious for the Miami Heat.Ray Allen, the league's leading all-time three point shooter,has chosen to join the Heat and leave the Boston Celtics.

Miami Heat Roster: Analysis of the Young Guys

As free agency is under way, the Heat are currently looking at players like Ray Allen or Greg Oden (click here for more info on potential free agent targets). The Heat have many holes, the most prominent being a reliable wing man to come off the bench and provide 3 point shooting and that can play good defense and space the floor. We currently have Shane Battier, Mike Miller and James Jones filling this role, but with both Miller and Jones considering retirement, we will need a replacement. Another big need for the Heat is a reliable big man. They don't need a dominant scorer, but someone who can take over the boards, provide solid paint defense and can grab rebounds. The Heat didn't have any player last year who can do that other than Ronny Turiaf and Eddy Curry, one of whom wasn't ideal for that anyways and is leaving, and the other had played exactly 0 minutes all season and is leaving as well. Both of those roles are big needs for the Heat, but, what if there are some players already on the roster who can fill those needs? That's what I'm going to take a look at, some young Heat players that may step up and fill these needs (note: I did not include rookie Justin Hamilton because I already posted an analysis of him here).

A Look at Yesterday's Miami Heat Draft

Well, the draft is over, and quite a draft it was. As usual, there was the usual craziness of frantic trades and shocking moves, and the Heat were guilty on both accounts. It was both a frustrating and exciting draft, as the Heat made a few decisions that could go great or that could go terribly. I'm going to take a look and evaluate the Heat's movements, and give a little introduction to the newest member of the Miami Heat squad, Justin Hamilton.

Miami Heat Draft prospect: Fab Melo

Tonight is draft night, and I'm sure all basketball fans are pumped up as they see who their team selects and which pieces their team adds to compete for a championship, or to get their franchise back on track. The Heat hold a very low draft pick, so they will not be expecting to get a future all-star at that spot, but will be looking for someone who can be good off the bench and can perhaps start in the future. With that, I present my personal favorite pick, and an overwhelming favorite for the spot, Syracuse center Fab Melo.

Free Agent Prospect:Marcus Camby

Despite some of the more alluring names that will be linked to the defending champion Miami Heat this summer, including Steve Nash, Ray Allen and Lamar Odom, one would expect the team to place its utmost priority on its void in the middle.

Big Men Miami Heat Must Target This Offseason

There is still that gaping hole with the Miami Heat that must be addressed.

The fact that they are advancing in the playoffs does not shelter Miami from the necessity of a stronger low-post presence. Chris Bosh cannot consistently be the replacement for a center when he is just not built for the job.

Even if Miami manages to win the NBA championship, this offseason will not be as quiet as their lack of movement in the offseason after the lockout.

The Heat have some issues to address for their ride to the top to become filled with fewer self-inflicted obstacles. Here are a few big men Miami must target this offseason to make their journey that much easier.

Heat Free Agent Targets 2012

Let's be real. The Miami Heat will be targeting every prominent free agent this offseason using their mid-level exception. The team is hamstrung by the salary cap, and will utilize the MLE in discussions with player on the marketing. Getting any of the players mentioned in this report will be difficult.


Steve Nash, Chris Kaman, Grant Hill, Andre Miller, Ray Allen and Jermaine O’Neal are among the players who Miami could target with their mini mid-level exception, according to sources close to the situation. Those players can likely make more money elsewhere, but may be willing to take less to join the HEAT. Another option for Miami is Brandon Roy, who will attempt to make an NBA comeback next season after retiring last December.