Miami Heat Previews:
Gregory Broome: The Peninsula is Mightier
1. What significant moves were made during the offseason?
Miami's epic struggles in 2007-08 yielded the delicious fruit of the No. 2 overall draft pick, used adroitly on Kansas State freshman Michael Beasley. The affable, hijinx-obsessed forward has yet to define a position at the NBA level, but he has already confirmed that the uncanny inside-outside scoring prowess he displayed in college will translate to the pros. With a full arsenal of post moves, a tissue-soft outside touch, an array of head and ball fakes and an explosive first step to the hoop, Beasley, if given the opportunities, can easily average 20 points per game immediately.
Darren Heitner: SportsAgentBlog.com
3. What are the team’s biggest weaknesses?
The Center position! Shaq is gone, and we are all mourning the departure of Mourning. Magloire was brought in to suck up some big minutes and be a large presence in the key. Too bad he will be out of the picture for a while. For all the praise I give Padgett, he cannot defend Dwight Howard or get a board over Ben Wallace. That leaves Mark Blount and a guy named Joel Anthony. Nervous yet? And Udonis is not exactly the toughest and biggest power forward in the league. The Heat desperately need help in the big-man category.