Ten games in, even at 5-5, seems like a good time to review the questions we asked to begin the season and see what we have learned thus far.
First, though, a special nod and word of thanks to our most international reader, Scott, from Scotland, who spent some time in the Dos Minutos offices yesterday.
Two points about Scott's visit:
1) He is a huge American sports fan and very knowledgeable. He thinks Dos Minutos is being too pessimistic about the Heat. We think he may be wrong, but we welcome dissenting opinions of all types.
2) The Captain points out that we missed a golden opportunity to discuss with Scott Dos Minutos' second favorite Scotsman, Sean Connery, and especially his contention that it is okay to hit a woman, as long as it is with an open hand, and only in situations "where you give her the last word, and that still isn't good enough." Next time, I suppose.
On to the review and our original roster questions:
Roster Questions on the Eve of a New Season
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?
10 game update: At this point, no. He has moved ahead of Mark Blount in the rotation, but still has absolutely horrific hands. His only true skill is shot blocking, but he is too limited in every other way to be of use.
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?
10 game update: Started the season strong, then got hurt. The development of Chris Quinn, and most significantly, Daequan Cook, have de-rotationed Banks for the moment. Considering who he he is sitting behind, the answer for now is no.
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?
10 game update: Foul trouble has not been a problem, although he has not been much of a defensive contributor, and has lost minutes lately because of this. He needs to increase his physical presence on both ends of the court - rebound stronger, and get to the line more frequently. For the most part, though, he has stayed on the court, and provided a second scoring option for the team. Good start.
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?
10 game update: Is he conscious? Does Sarah Palin know what the Bush Doctrine is? Maybe, but it would be tough to prove from the evidence on the table...Blount has shot the ball approximately every time he has touched it this season. A limited contributor in other ways. Very limited.
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?
10 game update: He hasn't been bad with the turnovers, but he has struggled with his decisions. For example, he runs many pick-and-pops with Beasley - because Chalmers is very quick, the big man has to hedge on him, which leaves Beasley open for a 17 footer every time, a shot he has proven he knocks down with efficiency. But Emcee never, never spits it back to Beasley - he always goes middle looking to score, or kicks it to the other wing. Hopefully, he will learn who needs the ball where, and when. He also needs to make more shots. Defensively, he is a menace, and already plays that end at a more-than-solid NBA level. Decent start - he certainly looks like 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?
10 game update: He has made threes at a 39% clip, which is solid, but is at just 37% overall which demonstrates his inability to make quality plays off the dribble - so the answer is yes and no. However, he has been a defensive surprise, showing an ability to play people in space, and to rebound with enthusiasm. He is in the process of creating an NBA future for himself.
Yakhouba Diawara
What we know: he can't shoot
Question: can he be a lockdown defender of use in spot minutes?
10 game update: Seems to have an absolute passion for two things: fouling dribblers, and launching long threes (3 per game in only 12 minutes per night). Has not demonstrated lockdown ability, or anything else. To be fair, he is supposed to be the third option at this spot behind Dorell Wright and James Jones, neither of whom has been healthy thus far.
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?
10 game update: He is doing what he can so far: battling and knocking down 63% from the floor. We will see how he holds up over the long haul.
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?
10 game update: Dress shirt 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?
10 game update: So far, no. Saw limited minutes at the beginning of the season, but clearly was not quick enough. Organization is pointing towards next year as a more realistic goal for him, and he has been inactive since the first couple of games.
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?
10 game update: He says he is about two weeks away. He didn't specify which two weeks, though, so let's hope he means around March.
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
10 game update: He is so good defensively that he is a major factor in the Heat's modest successes so far this year. If Miami could trade him for a big guy who can play, they would do it in a second. Since that is unlikely, and since Chalmers and Cook have shown promise, I think it is starting look a little more likely that Marion might be here all year - no need to trade him for a smaller player. Already enough of those here.
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
10 game update: He is playing a lot and, actually, playing well. He is essentially splitting minutes with Chalmers, and he is shooting tremendously. He also has 21 assists and 1 - one - turnover so far this year. Still, most nights the Heat are losing the point guard matchup because Chalmers doesn't play offense efficiently, and Quinn is not a strong defender.
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
10 game update: The athleticism is back to a ridiculous level, and the numbers show this: 28 points on 50% from the floor, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and a block and a half a game. Still, the question is how healthy can he stay: tweaked an ankle Sunday in Toronto, but says he will play tonight in Washington.
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
10 game update: Not yet available, recovering from knee surgery. Daequan Cook is providing a blueprint for "how to use your athleticism to carve out a spot in the NBA while your skills are developing." If Dorell can get on this plan, he can be a contributor - he is even more physically gifted than Cook.
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?
10 game update: Superb. Has figured out how team has to play to win - small and fast - and has sold them on it. The team looks well organized, and plays hard. He has created a definitive rotation. Puts guys in a position to utilize their strengths.
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
10 game update: I can't envision them ever winning five in a row with this roster, but they could easily lose five in a row a couple of times. That puts them right on 31 wins. Due to Cook and Chalmers' development, seems slightly more likely Marion makes it through the year, and they use his cap room in the offseason. Wade has been healthy so far. Beasley is on 16 and 6 right now. Dorell and Livingston haven't played. Chalmers has shown flashes, and defensively is already strong.
