Over the weekend Mike Miller finally got his chance to log meaningful minutes for the Miami Heat, and dropped in 32 points and 10 rebounds. Granted it was a against an inferior Toronto Raptors team who is currently in complete disarray, it was a great performance for Miller to regain his form as well as so much needed confidence.

Miller represents the key ingredient to what the Miami Heat have been missing all season long. His shooting, ball handling, and knack for rebounding are crucial elements that need to be present in the Heat’s lineup from the opening tip. He is still not fully recovered from his preseason thumb injury, but it appears he is recovered enough to drop 32 points when he gets the minutes.

He is being very diplomatic about his lack of playing time:

“Right now I’m not getting minutes I’m accustomed to but hopefully they’ll come and I’ll take advantage of it,” Miller said. “I’ve never really, in my whole career, had a time when I haven’t played so I’ve had to get used to that. But I haven’t been on a team that is this talented and I have been injured like this.”

Having Miller and Dwyane Wade in the backcourt and LeBron James gives Miami three viable ball handlers with great distribution skills. Miller adds much needed outside shooting to spread the floor, as well as representing a third player to bring the ball up the court as a point guard.

Moving Mario Chalmers and Carlos Arroyo to the bench alongside Eddie House will give Miami depth in the backcourt second unit. Rotating James Jones, Joel Anthony, Erick Dampier and Zydrunas Ilgauskas around Chris Bosh will be the most advantageous arrangement for Miami. Heck even a rare Jamal Magloire siting might even be prudent in this situation.

The bottom line is that Miami needs the main four contributors to be Wade, James, Bosh, and Miller. Filling in these other voids strategically by using the remaining roster in platoon-like roles that best suit nightly matchups could be the wisest way for Miami to win more and launch itself to the front of the pack in the Eastern Conference.

This means logging big minutes with the Big 4 and sacrificing everyones minutes. Once the winning increases, players can grumble all they want, but if they get a ring, they will all ultimately find the happiness that comes with being a NBA champion.

Message to Erik Spoelstra: Get Miller in the starting lineup, and have him, Wade, and James share the point guard duties. Let all the other chips fall where they may.

Gilbert Arenas is the key to unlocking many mysteries in the Eastern Conference. Having undergone 3 surgeries over the last 1.5 years,  buzz is brewing that he healthy, and has not lost a step.

If this is true, every team in the East should fear the Wizards.

Agent Zero is the cog that will unleash fury against the Cavaliers and the Celtics. He is a massive presence on both ends of the floor and will make life far easier on Caron Butler Antawn Jamison.

We are going to be really really really good... (Credit: picapp.com)

Washington has a plethora of talented centers, forwards, and guards. Their depth is impressive everywhere.

Arenas should be paired with mercurial scoring threat Randy Foye in the backcourt starting games. Foye will experience a rebirth having escaped the drudges of Minnesota. The game will come easier for Foye with the surrounding talent pool. Expect great numbers.

I'm gong to Washington and playing with Agent Zero! (Credit: picapp.com)

When Foye and Arenas fatigue, the Wizards can choose Mike Miller or Nick Young  for instant shooting. Veteran Mike James provides leadership and poise. Javaris Crittenton, still only 21, will not be forced to accelerate his maturity and development. At 6’5″, Crittenton is also a athletic gritty defender who can defend taller guards.

At the forward positions Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison are stalwarts at their positions.  Backing them up are multidimensional Andray Blatche and defensive nuisance Dominic McGuire.

There will be no loss of size, intensity with either reserve for short stints.

The only liability  is the inconsistency of play by both reserves.

Can't wait to do this in the Easter Conference Finals! (Crdit: picapp.com)

At center Washington has Brandon Haywood, Fabricio Oberto, and young phenom JaVale McGee. Haywood is coming back healthy after having wrist issues last year, and Oberto’s his heart ailments could cost him his season/career as well.

If either have recurring health issues, McGee will be expected to to fill the shoes. Although not naturally a center, Andray Blatche is big enough to absorb minutes in the middle.

Washington has 18-plus hard fouls (Including Blatche) they can throw at Shaq during the playoffs.

What this constitutes is that the Wizards have depth. They will be fresh and capable of logging long playoff minutes if they can remain healthy.

The triple headed snake of Arenas, Butler, and Jamison will be venomous and lethal, ready to strike.

Again this all hinges on Arenas, but teams in the Eastern Conference should fear the Wizards.