Miami Heat
PG - Tony Parker, Andre Miller
SG - Lance Stephenson, Anthony Morrow (or A.Shved)
SF - Chandler Parsons, John Salmons
PF - Chris Bosh, Kevin Seraphin
C - Tiago Splitter, Sam Dalembert
Head Coach - Alvin Gentry
Thoughts on BoshI would have liked to have seen different big men around Chris Bosh. For Bosh to play more minutes at center. Even if Bosh was not starting at C, I would've liked to have seen him start at PF but play a good chunk of his time at C when the starting center rested.
I think this Miami roster isn't going to get as much out of Bosh offensively as they would like to. Playing PF full time will make it easier for opponents to defend him. Playing alongside centers with limited range offensively will force Bosh to spend more time in the high post taking lower efficiency shot attempts.
Thoughts on Chandler ParsonsChandler Parsons will be the third option. Had a very impressive season for Houston. Above average defender and rebounder. Showed solid handles and passing skills. Can score reasonably well and is a very good and efficient shooter. Well rounded player. Adds a lot to a team.
I think Miami should consider some lineups where Parsons plays the PF alongside Bosh (C) similar to how Toronto used to use Jorge Garbajosa when Toronto won the division title several years ago. I wish Miami had a stronger backup SG/SF for that lineup but I still think it will be a weapon worth using and way of better enabling Bosh to get the most out of his talent.
Rest of the TeamTony Parker will be the most valuable player for the Miami Heat. I think he'll do very well and be one of the best players in the East.
Lance Stephenson provides tough defense at SG and some ball-handling on offense. Tiago Splitter adds good interior finishing and very strong pick and roll play offensively in addition to his pretty solid defense + rebounding.
Sam Dalembert is a good backup C. He has declined a lot in recent years especially his help defense but is still a quality backup C. I think Kevin Seraphin is more of an undersized center than a PF but where needs must he can give some minutes at PF.
Andre Miller is still a very effective PG. Defense needs to be hidden but offensively still a very capable player. I like him off the bench.
Not wild about the backup wings. They are all serviceable enough but nothing to get excited about. Morrow adds excellent long range shooting. John Salmons is an erratic two way player. Shved an exciting ball-handler and playmaking two guard.
Head CoachI do not like Alvin Gentry. Only one of his teams (2010 Suns) in his 10+ years has impressed me. The rest underachieved. I think he is a dodgy coach.
OverallI started the day thinking Miami would be fighting for third place in the division but now I think I was off the mark on that. I think they will be fighting with Washington for first place. Undecided on who wins that.
I have Atlanta 3rd and Orlando 4th (Kobe's torn achilles).