What Has Happened to the Miami Heat This 2007-2008 Season?

Two years ago the Miami Heat were the best team in the NBA. Lead by a remarkable performance by all-star Dwyane Wade, the Heat edged out the Timberwolves to win the NBA Championship. With Shaquille O'Neal in great shape, and Wade the star of the league, it appeared the Heat would be ready to win several championships. The last two years have been anything but championship like, however. The heat lost in the first round of last year's playoffs and have started the 2007 season with a woeful 4-10 record. What exactly has happened to the Heat?

One problem for Miami is that they are an older team. Both Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning are in their mid to late thirties and a number of other players are over the big 3, 0. The Heat and Pat Riley have recognized this problem and tried to address it by bringing in some younger legs. Players like Smush Parker from the Lakers and Dejaun Cook from Ohio State have been brought in to try to make this a younger basketball team. The truth is however these are average players at best and they are not the answer to Miami's struggle.

Another problem with the Heat is their big man. Shaquille O'neal is not the dominant player he once was in this league. There was a time when O'neal could take over a game. There was a time when the only person who could stop O'Neal, was O'Neal himself. He was a dominant force in the middle. Today, this is anything but the case. O'Neal often doesn't even get a double team when playing anymore.

He appears a step slow and despite being in great shape, has numerous lapses during games. What is even worse is that the team doesn't get O'Neal many touches. O'Neal is a player who should be touching the ball twenty plus times a game. He is getting far less than this, however and he his point totals and rebound totals are down as a result.

Injuries to their superstar have not helped the Heat. Dwayne Wade suffered an injury last year that he played through for the most part. He had surgery over the off season but has struggled since coming back. Not having their superstar at full strength certainly has not helped Miami. Wade missed the first several games of this year and has just now begun to play again. In order for the Heat to return to their championship form, they will need Wade back at 100%.

All hope is not lost for Miami. They still have arguable the best individual talent in the league with Dwyane Wade. O'Neal is still capable of being a solid player. With other players like Jason Williams, Udonis Haslem and Alonzo Mourning the talent is in place. Miami needs to come together as a team. If they do so they might be able to return to their 2005 form.