KING-LESS IN MIAMI

After the Lebron James era in Miami, the Heat has settled into being a sub .500 club (11W-12L) for the 7th best record in the Eastern Conference of the NBA.  This is a weak-sister conference that has seen in the early season with less than 25 games per team, losing streaks of 17 (76ers), 13 (Pistons), 10 (Knicks) and 10 games (Hornets).  They would have the 11th best record in the Western Conference and be in jeopardy of making the playoffs. Miami holds 3rd place in the Southeast Division behind the Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks who are playing very good basketball.  Let's take a 23 game snapshot and compare this Heat edition with the 2013 team.
Miami Heat      Points/Game    Opp/PPG      Differential
2013                     102.2                97.4               +4.8
2014                       95.0                98.6               -3.6
Difference               -7.2                +1.2               -8.4
Last year Miami had a 4.8 point differential, this year they are giving up more than they are scoring so they come up negative 3.6. 
The total turnaround is -8.4 ppg.  They are scoring 7.2 less per  game and giving up 1.2 more per game.  The Heat's defense is not as good but the real problem has been scoring.  The average NBA team is scoring 100.1 ppg while Miami is 23rd in scoring with 95.0.
Miami is last in rebounds (815), last in blocked shots (79) and last in Field Goal Attempts (1705 compared to 1869 league average)  Either a slow tempo or getting killed on rebounds is keeping Miami from scoring more as they have too few shots attempted.  Collectively they have a good Field Goal % of 46.6 which is above league average of 45.2.
 

Wade flashing in Miami

Individually, Chris Bosh has increased his scoring from 16.2 to 21.5 ppg while Dwyane Wade has remained about the same at around 21.0 ppg on 52% shooting which is very good.  Wade, approaching 33 years old in January 2015, remains a very good player having participated in 70% of his team's games and showing occasional "flashes" of brilliance.  Bosh has upped his rebounds to 8.1 to lead the team.  His number of 3pt field goal attempts have jumped from 2.8 to 3.8 per game.  Newcomer Luol Deng, has a 14.0 ppg and a very good 49.3 shooting %.  

Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, the Miami big two.

The bottom line is the Heat is challenged offensively and is not a good defensive team.  Until they start to retool, the Miami faithful is in for some average and mediocre times.  Early season numbers don't bode well for the once high-flying Miami Heat.