The Miami Heat have the pressure riding high on them. After their rise to championship stardom many expect them to overcome and conquer again. Shaq is further injured and could be out for 4 weeks or longer for knee surgery. Obviously, not much has changed from last year's squad except the addition of rookie Robert Hite. Miami has got off to a slow start and critics think their season is starting to crumple. Give me a break, it's only the third week of the season. The blowout to the Knicks though was embarrassing and probably was a humbling experience.
Dwayne Wade, the leader of this team, has all eyes on him to step up big and take control. I remember how dominating he was in the Finals last year. If he can duplicate those past performances I think the Heat will be okay without Shaq for an extended period of time. Starter, Udonis Haslem is averaging solid numbers: 12.6 ppg 9.5 rpg. The older players, Zo and Payton though will have to fulfill their roles and contribute regularly. Mourning may not have lost some spring in his feet, but he can still be a force on the defensive end with his shot blocking ability.
Miami's 3-5 record doesn't dictate how they will play the rest of the way if they decide to commit and push themselves as a collective unit. Their depth and strength will be tested as they upcoming road games includes stops at Atlanta, New Orleans, and San Antonio. They'll be for some high scoring affairs if they don't play effective interior defense. Zone defense could be a necessary strategy to stop Tim Duncan. Antoine Walker will have to add his scoring touch to help out Wade. For now they'll have to put their focus on winning and forget about Shaq's injury.
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