Mike Miller put the finishing touch on a fabulous run led by
NBA
great LeBron James.
Hitting seven three-pointers in the Game 5, he helped close
out the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA
Finals.
With some solid off-season additions, it is a scary thought
for the rest of the NBA that the defending champions have only gotten better.
Assuming the starting lineup is composed of Mario Chalmers,
Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Joel Anthony, here are the five most
important players the Miami Heat have coming off the bench.
5. James Jones, SF
The nine-year veteran out of the University of Miami played
in the majority of the 66 regular season games for Miami.
Although he had a lesser contribution to the Heat’s playoff
run, he is a role player at 6’8” that the Heat can turn to if LeBron James or
Chris Bosh need to rest. His career has been and will be as a back-up and he
can perform at a reasonable level in this position for Miami.
Selected 2011-12
Statistics:
3.6 PPG/40 percent on 3PT field goals/51 games played /13.1
minutes per game
4. Norris Cole, PG
Although Mario Chalmers is an above average three-point
shooter—and probably the best on the Miami Heat until Ray Allen signed—he
sometimes gets complacent when taking the back seat to LeBron James and Dwyane
Wade.
Chalmers has had big games for the Miami Heat but Cole has
also had playoff games where he hit some huge three pointers. The back-up point
guard has taken advantages of the infrequent opportunities that he has been
given—to the pleasant surprise of the Heat.
At 23 years old, Cole has a bright future ahead of him.
Selected 2011-12
Statistics:
6.8 PPG/2.0 APG/1.4 RPG/65 games played
3. Rashard Lewis,
SF/PF
After becoming known as one of the most overpaid NBA
players, Rashard Lewis looks to get back on track with the Miami Heat. Signing
a two-year
deal for the veteran’s minimum is a bargain pick-up for Miami and adds
depth and scoring potential at both forward positions.
Having expectations this low for Lewis is good for two
reasons: he doesn’t have much pressure to live up to a big contract like the
$21 million he was earning, and he can only impress the Heat.
Selected 2011-12
Statistics:
7.8 PPG/3.9 RPG/28 games played
2. Shane Battier,
SF/PF
The former Duke star was a vital cog to the championship
squad last year. His flexibility in defending both forward positions was
excellent depending on which of Bosh and/or James was on the court.
He stepped up big in the playoffs, especially in the Finals
where he drilled three pointer after three pointer.
Battier also shot an NBA
record 58 percent on 3PT field goals in the Finals. With James, Wade and
Bosh not as potent offensive threats outside of the arc, Battier’s accuracy
from deep helped take pressure off the Big Three and also spread the floor.
Selected 2011-12
Statistics:
4.8 PPG/2.4 RPG/1.3 APG/ 1.0 SPG/65 games played
1. Ray Allen, SG
The loudest acquisition for the Miami Heat this offseason
was the three-point specialist and future Hall of Famer, Ray Allen.
He is undoubtedly the most important back-up for Miami, if
for nothing else because he would be a starter for most other NBA teams.
Although his years may be catching up with him (including a nagging injury at
the end of last season), Allen has proven that he can still perform at a very
high level.
Unlike the Celtics, who lost Allen and substituted Jason
Terry in his place, it was only a gain for the Heat who signed the NBA’s
all-time leader in three-point field goals made and attempted.
If the Heat can stay healthy and Allen adds the outside
presence that he is capable of (and that the Heat were lacking) there is going
to be no way to prevent Miami from defending their 2012 title.
Selected 2011-12
Statistics:
14.2 PPG/3.1 RPG/2.4 APG/1.1 SPG/45 percent 3PT FG
percentage
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