After a season abundant with criticism and distractions, the Miami HEAT came within two victories of hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy. While their missteps and struggles have been the topic of conversation in recent days, the polarizing group was able to win 58 games and advance to the Finals in their first year together. They didn’t meet their inflated expectations or carry out the rock star fantasy that they imagined for themselves when they first joined forces last July, but they did show glimpses of dominance and learn what needs to be done this summer in order to ensure that next season ends on a better note.

Miami will have several decisions to make this offseason, and they’ll have opportunities to significantly improve their roster. After learning through trial and error during their first year as a juggernaut, the HEAT will also be able to build off of their successes and failures heading into next season. From adding talent to adjusting tactics, there are plenty of ways that Miami can enter next season closer to their goal of winning a championship. Below are several ways that the HEAT can make sure next season ends with success rather than distress.

1. Finding a starting center

Last season, Miami had a revolving door of centers, but nobody secured the starting job. Joel Anthony was the starter on day one, but he was quickly replaced by Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who would be thrown aside after the team signed Erick Dampier midseason. After shuffling those three throughout the regular season, the HEAT still didn’t have a consistent starter by the beginning of the playoffs, with Ilgauskas and Anthony battling back and forth throughout the postseason. Throw Jamaal Magloire and rookie Dexter Pittman into the mix and Miami had a whopping five centers on their roster last season. Quantity over quality clearly didn’t work out too well so it’s time for the HEAT to acquire a starting-caliber center.

Miami has several options: Veteran free agents such as Samuel Dalembert and Nazr Mohammed will be available. Ryan Hollins could be on the market if he opts out and Spencer Hawes will be a restricted free agent. They can also opt to go small by starting Udonis Haslem or signing someone like Reggie Evans. Assuming the next collective bargaining agreement includes the mid-level exception, the HEAT will likely throw that money at a serviceable center who will be a fixture in the starting lineup.

2. Re-signing Mario Chalmers

On Wednesday, the HEAT extended a qualifying offer to Chalmers, making him a restricted free agent. After averaging 11.8 points, 3.5 assists and 1.7 steals in the Finals, Chalmers is expected to sign an offer sheet that will pay him much more than the $847,000 he made last season. Rather than letting him walk, Miami should re-sign the point guard.

Last summer, Chalmers believed that he didn’t have to work to keep his starting job and he took his situation for granted. He thought he would be the floor general for the star-studded HEAT, but didn’t put in the necessary work to earn that role and he’s the first to admit it. However, being benched behind Carlos Arroyo, Mike Bibby and Eddie House at different points in the season humbled Chalmers and motivated him to work harder. By the end of the year, he was once again Miami’s best option and starting Game 6 of the Finals.

At 25 years old, he has yet to hit his prime and, most importantly, Miami can re-sign him without having to use a portion of their mid-level exception. The HEAT can fantasize over elite point guard, but they don’t have many options for now. This year’s free agency class is very thin on ones, and bringing back a matured Chalmers is likely their best bet.

3. Improving the supporting cast

After LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh inked their new contracts last summer, filling out the roster was a difficult task. Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem were added as part of the team’s core, but the rest of the group received one-year contracts at the veteran’s minimum. It wasn’t hard to find players willing to sign for the minimum on a powerhouse team that is built to win championships, and it won’t be hard this summer either. With much of last year’s supporting cast becoming free agents, Miami has the chance to improve their depth by signing a new and improved cast of characters that will make up their bench.

Notable players such as Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson and Vince Carter – if bought out as expected – could decide to come off of the bench in Miami for the chance to contend. Other veterans such as Grant Hill, Shane Battier, Maurice Evans, Anthony Parker and Troy Murphy will also be available and could express interest in joining the HEAT. After being exposed by the Dallas Mavericks’ depth in the Finals, Miami needs to bolster their bench this offseason.

4. Increasing transition opportunities

{AUTHOR_BOX}Dwyane Wade and LeBron James finished last season as the top two transition scorers in the league. The duo combined for 1,145 fast break points and it wasn’t uncommon to see Wade or James bolting down the court immediately after the other forced a turnover or gathered an opponent’s missed shot. However, even with those two leading Miami’s up-tempo attack, the HEAT was ranked 18th in the league in fast break points per game. That’s because outside of Wade and James, the HEAT don’t have another player ranked in the top 180 in transition scoring (Chalmers is 181 and Bosh is 188).

Miami was at their best last season when they were running and scoring in transition. It allowed them to turn their suffocating defense into easy points and either create or erase big leads. With that said, Wade and James can’t do it alone. Inserting Chalmers back into the starting lineup will help his numbers and give the HEAT another player who can push the tempo, but they may also look to add experienced fast break players this summer. Free agents that rank among the top 50 in transition scoring include Grant Hill, Jodie Meeks, Jason Richardson, C.J. Miles, Arron Afflalo, Shannon Brown and Nick Young. Miami must find a way to increase their tempo because there are few teams as difficult to stop as the HEAT once they’re in the open court.

5. Getting Chris Bosh more involved offensively

Shortly after the Mavericks won the championship, a champagne-drenched Tyson Chandler explained that the key to stopping Miami is to focus all of your attention on either Wade or James, depending on who is dominating the ball during any given stretch. Slowing those two down is the key because, frankly, they like to have the ball in their hands and will look for their own shot first and foremost. They like to create their own shots, play a two-man game and often resort to hero-ball. While it’s exciting and fills up a highlight reel, it’s not always conducive to winning. That’s where Chris Bosh comes in. Of the three stars, he had the most drastic adjustment to make throughout the season and struggled at times with his limited role. At times, he asked for more touches and a bigger part of the offense. Many criticized Bosh for demanding the ball, but it turns out he knew what he was doing.

When Bosh scored at least 20 points, Miami was 23-10. When he attempted at least 15 shots, they were 26-9. Believe it or not, Bosh shot a higher field goal percentage than Wade and James on isolation plays, spot-up jumpers and cuts to the basket. He was able to attack the defense in a number of ways, and while nobody is saying he should be the HEAT’s number one option, he should certainly be more involved in the offense. Miami’s two-man game can be effective, but Bosh has also proven that he can make things happen when the ball is in his hands.

After coming up short in their first season together, Miami is determined to be the team popping champagne in the American Airlines Arena next year. What do you think the HEAT need to do this summer in order to win a championship? Leave your thoughts in the comment box below.