Team by Team: Miami Heat 2010-2011 Finish: 56-26

What went well

After a miserable 2009-10 season where they not only finished last, but GM Tmac was caught up in a South Florida cocaine ring, the Heat stormed back this past season and finished as one of the most dominant teams in the league.

Though the Heat weren't very busy signing free agents, that didn't stop them from making some key trades. First, Trevor sent his first round pick and rookie Evan Turner to the Knicks for Trevor Ariza, scoring himself a starting SF, and David Lee. Not a bad haul. Then they shipped out Mickael Pietrus and Al Thornton to the Lakers, taking a gamble on Luol Deng. The Heat then began the season, playing decent ball.

As the year became 2011, Trevor brought in free agent center Jeff Foster and then made a giant trade, sending off Deng and Kendrick Perkins to the Bulls for superstud Joe Johnson and his big contract. JJ immediately ignited the Heat offense and the team tore up its opponents. As the Heat grabbed the Southeast Division, they also brought in veteran PG Andre Miller to the fold.

It was time for the Playoffs.

What went worse

Unfortunately, the Heat met the hot Wizards. Although heavily favored in the match-up, the Heat lost four games to two, bested by Pau Gasol and Jason Terry. Johnson and Stephen Curry showed up for the series but the rest of the team were oddly quiet against this suddenly hot Wizards team.

Stars

- Stephen Curry, G -

Curry improved in his sophomore season, scoring 20.1ppg with 5.2apg. Although the acquisition of Johnson threatened to overshadow the young guard, Curry thrived with the new competition and proved that he will likely become one of the league's best PGs very, very soon.


- David Lee, F

While Dunadan relied on Lee to provide both the offensive and defensive juice while he played in New York, in Miami he just needed to grab boards and block shots. While he did nail 14.5ppg, his career high 10.2 rpg showed his old team that trading him away was probably a bad idea.

Goats

- T.J. Ford, PG -

The only good news about this guy is this was the last year of his horrible contract.

Looking to the future

The Heat come into the new season in pretty good shape. All of its starters are signed, though the team is in desperate need of a center. They are also $12million under the salary cap, which gives them ample money to sign a starting big man. However, they do need a bench too. Besides J.J. Hickson, Jordan Hill and the likely-to-return Anthony Parker, the team really doesn't have much else. Tmac will need to use that money wisely. There are also rumors that he is exploring a JJ trade to help create some cap space to get more players.

And since the Heat drafted no one this season, they may actually have to turn to free agency to fill out that roster.