Free agent superstars Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, and Chris Bosh have decided to join forces in Miami in search of a modern day dynasty that no one has ever seen before. Three stars just entering in the prime of their careers, looking to dominate the NBA the way the great teams of the past have. However, with three superstars come many questions that must be answered if this team is to meet the huge expectations it will have each and every season they play together.

Who does the Miami Heat need to bring in to play with their “Big 3” who can fit under the salary?

The salary cap for the 2010-11 season’s is $58.044 million, the Heat signed Bosh and James to six year deals worth $111 million and Wade signed for six years and $107 million. They were able to trade Michael Beasley’s $5 million salary to Minnesota for some more breathing room. The Heat still need a starting center, two backup big men, a backup small forward and at least two guards, one of whom may need to start at the point. The Heat has just under $9 million left before exceeding the salary cap and having to pay the luxury tax. They will try to find guys to accept contracts with minimum salary that is based on the player's years of service which is advantage for players like Derek Fisher and Shaquille O’Neal who have been rumored to be interested in joining the Heat. Both of them have over 10 years of NBA experience which means that the least amount they can sign for is $1.35 million which is more than younger players. Another player that the Heat must resign is Udonis Haslem, who has spent his entire career with the Heat and was the closest to Dwayne Wade prior to Bosh and James arrivals. Other big men that could sign for a minimum are Joe Smith who last played with the Atlanta Hawks and Juwan Howard who was last with the Portland Trailblazers, both men are still looking for a ring. Other perimeter players to look out for are 3 point specialist Mike Miller who might already be close to a deal with the Heat. Also, look for players like Matt Barnes, Earl Waston, Raja Bell, Matt Barnes, and Mike James. Of those players only Bell would demand a $1.35 contract.

How is head coach Erik Spoelstra going to make it work playing all three of them together?

That seems to be the huge question and many believe that it is only a matter of time before Pat Riley makes Spoelstra step aside so he can return to the sidelines although the trio have said Spoelstra is their coach. How he handles this situation could determine his future with the team. All three players enjoyed sharing the ball in the 2008 Olympics and many are pointing to that to prove that this can work. Many have said that Chris Bosh has all the tools to be a great complementary big man in the NBA and matches up well with many of the athletic power forwards in the league, while James and Wade are two of the best five players and can dominate without scoring at times. The key to making this work will be similar to the situation in Boston a few years ago, the point guard position. If Derek Fisher joins the Heat he would be great addition due to his championship pedigree and playing with “alpha males” Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in their primes. With all players saying they have no problem sacrificing I see Lebron and Wade sharing being the first option and Bosh filling the sidekick role as a second option very well. With the players they get to filling out their roster playing the roles whether it be as the 3 point specialist or a big man whose job is defense and rebounding. It might take a year to get the right players and chemistry for the team.

Who should take the final shot?

I think in a regular season all three players could be great options. However, in the money games in the postseason I would want the ball in Dwayne Wade hands. He is the best player in the league in being aggressive to get to the basket and creating his shot. After Kobe Bryant there might not be a better clutch player in the NBA. On top of that Erik Spoelstra has coached Wade for the last two seasons and will likely trust him more with the ball than he James.

How many titles does the Heat have to win, for this to consider a success?

One title will not be enough for this team. They will be expected to be in the NBA Finals or at least contending for the Finals every year that this trio is together. If there is one year that they can get away with not making Finals it might be this year, but I doubt that will happen. With these players signed for at least six years, I believe for this to be considered a success, three titles are a minimum with a maximum of six titles. If they are unable to win any titles, it could be the biggest failure in the history of the NBA with no close second.

Whose team will it be?

Dwayne Wade is the face of the Miami Heat and despite the arrival of James and Bosh it is still his team and the American Airlines Arena is still “his” house.

What teams will be their biggest obstacles to multiple titles?

The task of getting out of the Eastern Conference will not be an easy one for the Heat. Their biggest obstacle might be their Florida rivals the Orlando Magic with Dwight Howard who is the most dominate big man in basketball when he is on his game. The original “Big 3” in Boston will not give up their East title easily or quietly. Then, there is the Chicago Bulls who likely would have been the favorites in the East with Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah had Lebron James chose to sign there. Of course, in the West waits the Los Angeles Lakers. The Heat vs. Lakers should be the Christmas Day game for the next few years with many June dates following that. The Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder could also be interesting match-ups for the Heat.

Will this team be beloved like the Red Sox and Steelers or hated like the Yankees and Cowboys?

It is difficult to like a team that posses as much talent as the Heat do. It almost seems like they are following the Yankees blueprint of buying as many championships as possible. Add in the fact that the way Lebron James announced his decision has made him possibly the biggest villain in sports right now there might not be a lot of love for this team outside of Miami. One thing is for certain, everywhere this team plays it will be sold out well in advance.

Will Lebron’s legacy be hurt in any way by winning titles on a loaded team instead of being “the man” on his own team?

Some have said that James is taking the easy way out by teaming up with Bosh and Wade and it is a very valid argument. I don’t think he can be in the conversation for greatest player of all-time along side Jordan, Magic, Bird, or Russell and that will certainly hurt his legacy. Those players made their teammates great, James’s teammates are already great and will not be pushed the same way those players pushed their teammates. James will still be considered a great player but he will not overtake Bryant as the best of this era and that will also the hurt his legacy because of the lofty expectations he has had his whole career to be the greatest to ever play basketball. 

What is the final prediction on the “Dream Team”?

I think that the Miami “Dream Team” will win at least 3 titles together while they are together possibly four if they play together all six years. I see them at least making it to the East finals every year. I do not seeing any of the players put up the kind of numbers to win any MVP awards. There will be clash egos at some point because they are professional athletes and pride will get the best of them, but I do not see this team imploding due to the friendship among the star players.