The Heat bench looks a little thin as they have three players who will help them every night and a bunch of question marks. Alonzo Mourning is still an impact player for the Heat and he’s a great security blanket for Shaq’s health. Zo played in 77 games (43 starts) last season for the Heat and he averaged 20.4 minutes, 8.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.2 assists and 2.3 blocks per game. Mark Blount is another key front line reserve as he was the starting center for the Timberwolves last season. He will serve as the #2 power forward and the #3 center for the Heat this season. Blount played in 82 games (81 starts) for the T-Wolves last season and he averaged 31.1 minutes, 12.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. Smush Parker was signed as insurance for the health of Jason Williams. Parker played in 82 games (80 starts) for the Lakers last season and he averaged 30.0 minutes, 11.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Penny Hardaway is back to team with Shaq once again. But, he hasn’t played since 2005-06 with the Knicks (4 games). He will back up at small forward and shooting guard for the Heat. He has played in 688 games (549 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 34.0 minutes, 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game. 2nd year man Alexander Johnson was signed to help up front for the Heat. He played in 59 games (19 starts) for the Grizzlies and he averaged 12.8 minutes, 4.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. Rookie Daequan Cook from Ohio State likely will be watching a lot from the bench as Pat Riley doesn’t usually have much faith in young players. Chris Quinn returns to the Heat as the #3 point guard. He played in 42 games (1 start) for the Heat and he averaged 9.7 minutes, 3.4 points, 0.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

The Heat will be playing without Dwyane Wade for most, if not all of November so they need everyone else to stay healthy and motivated from day #1. Jason “White Chocolate” Williams must stay healthy because he runs the show as the point guard. He played in 61 games (55 starts) for the Heat last season and he averaged 30.6 minutes, 10.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. Ricky Davis will start at shooting guard until D-Wade returns and he will then move to small forward. He will give the Heat a good third option on offense this season. He played in 81 games (all starts) for the T-Wolves last year and he averaged 37.3 minutes, 17.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Dorell Wright will start at small forward until D-Wade returns. He’s an athletic freak on the basketball court but he needs to turn that into results. Wright played in 66 games (19 starts) last season for the Heat and he averaged 19.6 minutes, 6.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. Udonis Haslem will start again at power forward for the Heat and he does all of the dirty work as he rebounds and plays defense. He played in 79 games (all starts) last season for the Heat and he averaged 31.4 minutes, 10.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. The key to the whole show is Shaquille O’Neal. If he can stay healthy and motivated the Heat will be a championship contender. But, if he takes games off and doesn’t put out 100% in every game….the Heat will be lucky to make the playoffs. He played in 40 games (39 starts) last season for the Heat and he averaged 28.4 minutes, 17.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 blocked shots per game.

What an amazing trade for Pat Riley to pull off on the eve of the 2007-2008 NBA season. With D-Wade banged up and not ready to start the season and Shaq being in playoff only mode the Heat stole a couple of players from the T-Wolves. They got Ricky Davis and Mark Blount and all they gave up was Antoine Walker, Michael Doleac, Wayne Simien and a conditional first round draft choice. Ricky Davis played in 81 games last season for the T-Wolves and he averaged 37.3 minutes, 17.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Davis shot pretty well last season too as he hit 46.5% from the floor, 39.7% from three point range and 83.9% from the free throw line. Davis will be the starting shooting guard until D-Wade returns and he will then shift to small forward. Mark Blount is a big guy at 7′0″, 250 pounds and he will back up Shaq, Zo and Haslem for the Heat. He played in 82 games (81 starts) last season for the T-Wolves and he averaged 31.0 minutes, 12.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. He also shoots pretty well as he made 50.9% of his shots from the floor and 75.4% from the free throw line. Pat Riley better watch out for the police because he robbed the Timberwolves.