Miami Heat Areas That Must Be Upgraded Before Next Season

Due to financial limitations the Miami Heat won't be able to make major upgrades to their roster in the 2013 offseason but there are still areas to improve in that they can and should address.

Much of the issues in these areas in need of an upgrade are on full display right now while Miami takes on the Indiana Pacers in the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals.

The Pacers' frontcourt has obliterated that of the Heat and Miami knows now more than ever that it needs to get better in the offseason. Though hopefully for Miami it can overcome its issues for one game so that the offseason doesn't begin Monday night.

1. Rebounding

This is the most pressing need as rebounding is by far the 2012 13 Heat's biggest weakness. Miami finished dead last in rebounds per game in the regular season.

The Heat hung with the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls on the glass throughout the first two rounds of the 2013 postseason. However they are currently being dominated in the rebounding department in the conference finals.

Miami's starting center Chris Bosh is averaging fewer than four rebounds per game in the series. Plus Indiana has out rebounded the Heat by 19 or more twice in the series' first six games. That's unacceptable.

Chris Bosh has really struggled on the glass in the Eastern Conference Finals Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Miami should try to re sign Chris Birdman Andersen this offseason because he's done his part on the glass in a Heat uniform. Still though Miami should look to the outside for a little more help. The Heat don't have much financial flexibility so trying to convince someone like the Cleveland Cavaliers' Marreese Speights to sign for a cheap contract is the way to go.

2. Interior Defense

It would be great for Miami if it could address this area and the first area in one player but it will be tough given Miami's cap space.

The Heat are finding out in their current series against the Pacers how badly they could use another interior defender.

Roy Hibbert is having more offensive success in this series against the Heat than he's ever had in his career. He's a 12 and 8 guy averaging 23 and 11 against the Heat. Udonis Haslem and Chris Bosh have had no answer for him.

Roy Hibbert has had plenty to smile about in the Eastern Conference Finals Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

While Joel Anthony is a strong interior defender he has too limited of an offensive game to earn consistent minutes for Miami. He played in Game 6 due to Andersen's suspension and blew multiple easy attempts at the basket.

The Heat need to grab another big to play behind Birdman in the rotation that can hold his own against a player like Hibbert just in case Miami meets Indiana again in next year's postseason.

3. Another Backup Guard

Both Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole have impressed this season and in the postseason so Miami's need here isn't necessarily at the point guard position.

But with Mike Miller likely to be amnestied Dwyane Wade's injury history and Ray Allen's poor play at the end of the regular season and into the playoffs Miami would benefit from having another guard.

Ray Allen has not been an asset in the 2013 playoffs. Miami needs to find another guard just in case his poor play becomes a trend. Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Best case scenario The Heat find a combo guard who can shoot the three ball as that player can fit well in their system.

They wouldn't be looking for a rotation player here but just insurance in case an issue arises with one of their top guards. Not that Miami has a ton of choice here they likely won't be able to afford another player of rotation caliber if they re sign Andersen and further address the frontcourt.

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