Dwyane Wade has been outstanding in preseason, continuing his spectacular play from the Beijing Olympics. But it appears Wade would have to have an MVP-type season for the Heat to reach the playoffs.

Shawn Marion, normally a double-double guy, hasn't been unleashed yet. And while rookie Michael Beasley has been really good offensively, his defense is sorely lacking, and that might keep him out of the starting lineup.

"Michael still has a ways to go," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Especially defensively."

Mark Blount and Chris Quinn aren't the players Miami pictured as its opening-night starters, but it might go that way.

Beyond that, injuries have prevented Miami from forming an eight- or nine-man rotation in preseason. Udonis Haslem, a team captain who is the heart and soul of the defense, missed a couple of games with a foot injury. Quinn missed a couple of games with a sprained left ankle, and Jamaal Magloire, expected to be the backup, sustained a broken left hand in the third preseason game and might not be available for the first two weeks.

"In terms of cohesiveness, we need to get our guys out there," Spoelstra said.

The Heat has potential, however.

If everything goes very well, by midseason the Heat could be starting Shaun Livingston, Wade, Marion, Beasley and Haslem while choosing among a bench of Jones, Yakhouba Diawara, Alonzo Mourning, Blount, Quinn, Marcus Banks, Mario Chalmers and Dorell Wright.

Even with that roster, which could be considered a full cupboard, making the playoffs is dicey.

Livingston, signed during training camp after being released by the Los Angeles Clippers, might be game-ready by late November. You'll recall the 6-7 Livingston, the fourth pick of the 2004 draft, sustained a devastating knee injury in February 2007 in which he dislocated his left kneecap and tore three ligaments. Practice reports are very favorable on Livingston, but no one knows if he can sustain the nightly NBA pounding.

Mourning, 38, sustained a devastating knee injury in December 2007. He's working out and hopes to return in January. Again, no one knows if his knee can take the nightly NBA pounding.

Most likely the Heat's fate will ride on how far Wade can carry it, what kind of contribution/compensation Miami gets from Marion, and how well Beasley plays on both ends of the court.

COACHING STAFF: Head coach -- Erik Spoelstra, 1st year overall, 1st year with Heat (0-0). Assistants -- Ron Rothstein, Bob McAdoo, Keith Askins, David Fizdale.

LAST SEASON, REMEMBERED: 15-67 (last in Southeast Division; worst in NBA).

THIS SEASON, PREDICTED: 37-45 (fourth in Southeast Division), no playoffs.

POSSIBLE CHANGES, PREDICTED: There's only a 50-50 chance F Shawn Marion will be with the Heat after the February trade deadline. He's in the final year of a contract that pays him $17.8 million this season. He's believed to be seeking an extension somewhere in the $14 million-per-year range. That's likely more than Miami wants to pay, which is likely why Marion doesn't already have an extension. There's a chance Miami keeps Marion so it can have his money to spend in free agency. But most likely, a trade will happen.