If the Heat is going to really commit to Joel Anthony as the backup center then they need him to produce more when he is on the court. He has played in 52 games (7 starts) for the Heat this season and he is averaging 15.3 minutes, 2.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 0.2 assists and 1.4 blocked shots per game. Anthony is a good defensive player but the Heat need him to hit the boards more and give them a little bit of offense.

Point guard Rafer Alston has been pretty awful for the Heat since coming over from the Nets in a trade. He has played in 18 games (all starts) for the Heats this season and he is averaging 28.1 minutes, 7.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Alston is only shooting 36.1% from the floor, 36.1% from three point range and 54.2% from the free throw line with the Heat. The Heat would really benefit if Alston passed the ball more instead of being selfish and heaving up bricks at the rim, but I don’t think it’s in him.

Small forward Daequan Cook is shooting so many bricks that the Heat can’t really afford to play him too much. He is shooting only 30.1% from the floor and 31.3% from three point range this season. He has played in 29 games (0 starts) for the Heat this season and he is averaging 14.8 minutes, 4.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. Patience is starting to wear thin for Heat management with Cook who just hasn’t played too well at the NBA level despite being a first round pick just a couple of years ago.

Michael Beasley has not turned into the star that the Miami Heat hoped he would, but he is putting up some very decent numbers for the Heat this season.  He is averaging 16.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.9 steals with a 46% FG percentage.  Beasley has provided some relief for Dwayne Wade on the offensive end, but the Heat need him to get more rebounds and play better defense.  He is also only hitting 26% of his threes, and on bad shooting nights it seems as if it affects his whole game and he lacks intensity, especially defensively.  His lack of effort on the defensive end has often cost him playing time.  He is playing 31 minutes per night, but I think Beasley is capable of playing closer to 40.  Beasley has not developed as quickly as most hoped or thought he would, and his personal life has a lot to do with that.  As Beasley gets older and more mature, I think he will continue to improve on the court.  Hopefully sooner rather than later for the Miami Heat’s sake, as he could play a key role in whether or not Dwayne Wade leaves after this season as a free agent.

The Heat have decided to switch Carlos Arroyo and Mario Chalmers roles as of late with Arroyo getting the starts. Arroyo has played in 28 games (8 starts) this season for the Heat and he is averaging 17.3 minutes, 5.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Mario Chalmers has played in 30 games (22 starts) this season for the Heat and he is averaging 8.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Personally I think that Chalmers is the better player here but the Heat need to try to shake things up and I think that was the reason that this change was made.

The Heat need Jason Williams to shoot better and make teams pay for packing the paint to stop D-Wade and Shaq. He’s only shooting 37.7% from the floor and that just won’t get the job done. Williams is averaging 33.8 minutes so far this season and he’s only scoring 9.2 points per game. The Heat need more from Williams if they are to turn their season around soon.

Shaq has said in the past that he cruises during the regular season to save energy for the playoffs. He will need to change his tune this season or there won’t be any playoffs because the Heat don’t have a lot of talent. The Heat will only go as far as D-Wade and Shaq take them. Shaq has played in 14 games this season and he has averaged 28.7 minutes, 16.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 2.1 blocks per game. Without an inspired Shaq the Heat’s season will be over in mid-April.

James Posey has been pretty awful so far in April for the Heat.  He’s played in 7 games and he’s averaged 6.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.  Posey is only shooting 33.3% from the floor and he’s only hit 4 of 15 (26.7%) from three point range.  The Heat really will need Posey’s shooting to return if they are to make a deep run into the playoffs this season.

The Miami Heat really need Gary Payton to step up and run the offense with Jason Williams hurtin.  Payton has been starting in Williams’ place but it seems as if he’s lost his shooting touch.  He’s only hitting 39.1% from the floor and 65% from the free throw line and that will not get it done for the Heat.  In 23.9 minutes per game, Payton is only averaging 5.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game and the Heat need much more than that.  Williams will probably be banged up all season long, so Payton will get big minutes even when J-Will is healthy.  If the Heat don’t get decent production at the point guard spot, they will not be able to defend their World Title this season.

James Posey has not played well lately.  In his last 7 games, Posey has averaged 23.4 minutes, 6.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.  He’s also only shot 38.1% from the floor and that’s his main skill.  If he’s not shooting well he shouldn’t get much playing time.