The Heat are watching Jermaine O’Neal’s minutes this season and the results have been really good. O’Neal has played in 25 games (all starts) this season and he is averaging 28.6 minutes, 13.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocked shot per game. O’Neal is also hitting 50% of his shots from the floor as he is still a solid player in the paint. If the Heat can afford to keep watching his minutes and keep him healthy he will be a force for them.

Udonis Haslem is adjusting well to his new role as a back-up off the bench. He has played in 15 games (0 starts) for the Heat this season and he is averaging 29.9 minutes, 10.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. Haslem’s numbers have remained strong this season and the Heat need him to keep up the good work as he does the little things that winning teams need by playing defense and rebounding.

Dwyane Wade is one of the most exciting players to watch in the NBA, and not just on offense.  Wade has been doing an excellent job on the defensive end and has been making highlight blocks and great steals leading to easy dunks.  Wade is averaging 2.3 steals per game as well as 1.2 blocks.  These numbers are even more impressive when you consider the offensive load that Wade has to carry, which he carries very well.  Wade is averaging 28.9 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.7 rebounds while playing 39 minutes per game.  Wade makes such a big impact on both ends of the floor that he will definitely be one of the front runners for the MVP award this season.

Udonis Haslem seems to be enjoying his new role of coming off the bench. He plays all out all of the time so a bench role seems to suit him fine. Haslem has played in 3 games (0 starts) this season for the Heat and he is averaging 31.3 minutes, 12.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. The Heat need Haslem to keep up the good work as he brings great energy off the bench and it rubs off on his teammates.

Starting center Jermaine O’Neal suffered a broken nose against the Bulls but he will continue to play. That is a good thing for the Heat as O’Neal has been outstanding this season. O’Neal has started all three games for the Heat this season and he is averaging 30.0 minutes, 17.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. The Heat need O’Neal to play in as many games as possible this season because he is the best interior offensive and defensive player on the Heat’s roster.

The argument could be made that Dwyane Wade should have been MVP of the NBA over LeBron James. Wade took his game to a new level last season and a lot had to do with health. Wade played in a career high 79 games (all starts) for the Heat last season and he averaged 38.6 minutes, 30.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. Wade was the NBA’s leading scorer and there’s no reason to think he will slow down as the 27-year old is extremely focused on the court right now. Wade has now played in 394 games (386 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 37.9 minutes, 25.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Look for those career numbers to continue to rise for at least the next couple of seasons as long as D-Wade remains healthy.

With Jason Williams banged up and Smush Parker in the Dog House….Chris Quinn has gotten more playing time than expected and he has responded. Quinn has played in 19 games this season for the Heat and he is averaging 19.7 minutes, 5.6 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. He also has shot the ball pretty well for the Heat as he is hitting 44.8% from the floor and 40% from three point range. With the season spinning out of control for the Heat, look for Quinn to keep getting his share of minutes.

It appears as though D-Wade is back close to 100%. In 6 games this month D-Wade is averaging 38.5 minutes, 26.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game. The only thing that D-Wade hasn’t been doing yet is finishing with dunks but that will come as his knee and shoulder continue to get stronger.

Dwyane Wade willed his team to a division title with his outstanding effort last season.  He was beat up all season long as he only played in 51 games last season.   He averaged 37.9 minutes, 27.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.2 blocked shots per game.  Wade shot 49.1% from the floor and 80.7% from the line so his shooting was fine.  But, he should quit shooting 3-pointers as he only hit 26.6% from that range…..which is too far for him.  Still, D-Wade is the best player on the Miami Heat.

Dwyane Wade’s career numbers are on the upswing as he keeps improving as a player every season.  In 264 career games, D-Wade has averaged 37.6 minutes, 23.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks per game.  All three of his career shooting percentages went up after his 2006-07 season.  He has hit 48.4% of his field goals, 24.9% of his 3-pointers and 77.7% of his free throws. 

Dwyane Wade has returned from his dislocated left shoulder and he’s played in the last three games for the Heat.  They are trying to bring him along slowly as he’s only averaged 27.3 minutes per game.  In those games, Wade has averaged 14.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game.  Wade is a hero in the Miami area already and this seems to be totally his own call in coming back, but, if he gets re-injured this was a really bad decision for the young man.  Playoff basketball is often very physical and you know whoever plays him in the first round is going to knock him down and crack him in his bad shoulder.  Unless the Miami Heat repeat as World Champs, D-Wade should have just took the time off to get healthy.