Last Season: Dwyane Wade had an MVP-type season and carried the Heat on his back to a five-seed in the East. The Heat lost to the Hawks in the first round in what was the most boring seven-game series in history. The average margin of victory was just under 20 points with the Hawks winning the final game 91-78.

Acquisitions: G Quentin Richardson

Departures: F Jamario Moon, C Mark Blount, G Luther Head

Starting Five: F Michael Beasley, F Udonis Haslem, C Jermaine O'Neal, G Mario Chalmers, G Dwyane Wade

Bench Mob: Carlos Arroyo, Quentin Richardson, Yakhouba Diawara, Daequan Cook, James Jones, Robert Dozier, Marcus Thornton, Jamaal Magloire, Joel Anthony, Dorell Wright

Most Interesting Man in the World: Dwyane Wade – The guy looks good in a suit. He was voted NBA’s best-dressed player by GQ in 2006 and has been featured as one of People Magazine's most beautiful people. Wade is set to make about $16 million this season and will get a significant raise next year and that’s good news for his Church in Chicago where he gives 10% of his salary (or at least he did in 2006). But the reason Wade will be interesting to watch this year is because a few teams’ futures will depend on him. Wade can re-sign with the Heat or if he feels like they aren’t going to be a contender he can look elsewhere. Wade is one of the top five players in the NBA and only second to LeBron in the big free agency class of 2010.

Over the Hill: Jermaine O’Neal – I’m pulling for O’Neal to get back closer to his All-Star form from earlier in the decade but there are no signs this is going to happen. His numbers actually decreased last season after being traded from the Raptors to the Heat. So far this preseason he hasn’t shown that he can be a factor. The best the Heat can hope for is an average defender and a possible third option on the offensive end – and that’s if he can stay healthy.

Ready to Break Out: Michael Beasley – This is another pick based mainly on need. The Heat need Beasley to be a force and they will give him every opportunity to become one. Wade needs a wingman and Beasley has the second-most talent on the team. He showed flashes of brilliance last year and hopefully under the tutelage of Alonzo Mourning, Beasley will emerge as Robin to Wade’s Batman.

Outlook: The Heat have more questions than answers heading into this season. Can Jermaine O’Neal make an impact? Will the enigma that is Michael Beasley emerge as the number two on this team or will he regress? Who will be on this team next year? The Heat hardly have anyone under contract after this year and will undergo a major overhaul regardless of what happens. The biggest question is whether they will be competitive enough to lure Wade back next year. It’s going to take a few surprises from an offensively challenged team for the Heat to be competitive. They are looking at being in the middle of the pack in the East and probably taking one of the last seeds into the Eastern Conference playoffs.

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