Image via WikipediaTop Offensive Player: Lebron James
Top Defensive Player: Lebron James
Top Playmaker: Lebron James
Top Clutch Player: Dwayne Wade
The Unheralded Player: Udonis Haslem
Best New Addition: Lebron James
Strengths
Miami's greatest strength is obviously the Miami Thrice of Wade, James, and Bosh. However, Riley's ability to surround that core with a plethora of complimentary pieces will be a key reason for the HEAT's success this season and into the future. Haslem and Miller will play important roles, and rounding out the reserves are experienced and proven vets such as Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Carlos Arroyo, James Jones, Jamaal Magloire, and Juwan Howard. All of these veterans understand their limited roles and know exactly what they signed up for. There will not be any bellyaching or whining about limited minutes from this group, which is vital to a great team.
Moreover, this entire organization will play with a huge chip on their shoulders all year long. They will undoubtedly focus on the hate they have received from the rest of the country and embrace an "Us against the World attitude. Riles and LeBron have already harped on this. That combination of talent and motivation is scary.
Weaknesses
On paper, the Miami has weakness at two positions: point guard and center. Mario Chalmers, Carlos Arroyo, and Eddie House, will all spilt time at the point; while Joel Anthony will likely be named the starting center (backed up by a handful of the aforementioned vets). Normally, this would be a major cause for concern. However, considering that Wade and LeBron have so much experience handling the ball and acting as playmakers, the lack of a true PG shouldn't have a major impact. Riley has already alluded to his plans of having LeBron initiate the offense and playing a hybrid point-forward. Similarly, the Big 3 are all solid rebounders from their positions. The HEAT has the talent to make up for these perceived shortcomings.
However, one issue that could potentially weigh the team down is the inordinate and unparalleled expectations this team will face right from the very start of training camp. If these guys don't win a championship next season, and then don't win a few more rings over the next few seasons – they will be considered abject failures. Those expectations can become heavy and burdensome. It will be interesting to see how everybody holds up.
With all these big-name stars, will ego get in the way of a championship run?
Those hoping that ego and a battle for alpha-male status will be the downfall of the newly minted 'Super Friends' will likely find themselves waiting a very long time. When you team-up two legit superstars and another very good player in Chris Bosh, the assumption is that controversy and intra-team competition will inevitability rear its ugly head and eventually swallow the team up from the inside. But this trio is truly unique. LeBron, for a player as incredibly gifted and good as he is, doesn't possess the accompanying Jordan-esque personality traits we would expect. It appears he is comfortable riding shotgun while Dwyane Wade captains the ship. In all the public appearances the Big 3 have made together, it has been Wade who is seated front and center, flanked on either side by Wade and Bosh.
Moreover, all three of them took significantly less money in order to make playing together a reality. That speaks volumes.
Regarding Bosh, he appears more than willing to fade into the background and thrive in the shadows created by the two stars absorbing most of the spotlight. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy put it rather bluntly, stating that Bosh "followed Wade around for two weeks like a lap dog." If Wade is Batman, and LeBron is Robin, maybe Bosh will be content playing Alfred the Butler.
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