Joel Anthony
What we know: he is a scrappy, undersized shot blocker
Question: will he ever develop enough offense to get him on the court?
Marcus Banks
What we know: he can create his own shot and score, and is a pest defensively
Question: can he be consistent enough to warrant significant minutes?
Michael Beasley
What we know: can score from the high post, wing, and at the rim, with either hand - he is a 20 point game waiting to happen
Question: can he contribute defensively and stay on the court by avoiding the foul trouble that plagues so many rookies?
Mark Blount
What we know: started two exhibition games in which he combined for one rebound, and went rebound-less in a third off the bench
Question: is he conscious?
Mario Chalmers
What we know: he is quick and can get to the rim, and is a gambler defensively
Question: can he limit his turnovers enough to be a long-term asset?
Daequan Cook
What we know: he has a beautiful looking stroke
Question: can he figure out how to get quality shots so that the beautiful stroke translates in to baskets?
Yakhouba Diawara
What we know: he can't shoot
Question: can he be a lockdown defender of use in spot minutes?
Udonis Haslem
What we know: will start at center and though he is severely undersized he will battle opposing big guys with everything that he has
Question: how much of a toll will the beating he inevitably is going to take affect him over the course of the season?
James Jones
What we know: out until at least midseason
Question: what kind of dresser will he be on the bench? Suits? Sweater and slacks?
Shaun Livingston
What we know: he sees the court well, understands how to play the point guard position
Question: will he regain enough athleticism to compete in the NBA?
Jamal Magloire
What we know: before he broke his hand, he still stunk
Question: how quickly will the hand heal and allow him to come back and stink some more? Will he stink at the exact same level, or will the broken hand make him even stinkier?
Shawn Marion
What we know: he has looked awkward offensively, but he is the Heat's best defender and rebounder
Question: will his trade value be worth more than the cap room Miami will gain by holding him and letting his contract expire at the end of the season? he will be the subject of constant rumors until the trade deadline passes
Chris Quinn
What we know: he can make open shots, but is not athletic enough to compete in the NBA on a regular basis
Question: how much will he play? If the answer is anything more than spot minutes, that is a very bad sign for Miami
Dwyane Wade
What we know: he was fantastic in the Olympics, fantastic in the preseason, and has regained the athleticism that he was forced to play without last year
Question: can he play 75 + games? for Miami to be at all competitive, he will have to
Dorell Wright
What we know: he is a little stiff coming back from knee surgery, and has never had a sustained stretch of success in the league - still, he is the one player on the roster who could conceivably significantly outperform expectations
Question: can he reinvent himself as a high energy/defensive stopper/ball acquisition guy? in previous seasons he has tried to play like a wing scorer - but he needs to be active in the painted area at both ends of the floor to be of value
Erik Spoelstra
What we know: the players seem to like him
Question: can he fashion a legitimate identity and rotation for the team that allows them to be competitive most nights?
Season Predictions: 31-51, 11th in the East; Marion traded at deadline for two competent contributors and a #1 draft pick ; Wade plays 68 games; Beasley averages 16 and 7; Dorell Wright and Livingston are non-factors; Chalmers shows enough to possibly be the long-term answer at point guard
