When the Miami Heat started off the 2010-2011 NBA season slow and everyone started to wonder whether the three-headed monster featuring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh was really going to work, I laughed. It would be too early to tell after 10 games, 20 games, or even 30 games whether the team would be a serious contender to make it to the NBA Finals this year.

And while it still might be too early to tell just how good this team could be (say what you want, if I’m starting an organization and I get offered James, Wade, and Bosh, I’m not saying no—just saying…) the Heat are in trouble right now. So much trouble, in fact, that Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters that several Heat players were moved to tears (!) after the Heat lost to the Bulls on Sunday. Yiiiiiikes.

But while the tears certainly solidified what we’ve known for awhile now, there are other tell-tale signs that the Heat are in trouble at the moment. And to prove it, we put together a list of the five reasons things are heating up in the 305. Hey, fellas: If you can’t stand the heat…well, you know the rest.

1. The Heat are still trying to add pieces to the puzzle to make them a real contender this year.

We wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to add Mike Bibby to the mix if we were the Heat, but by adding guys to the team with just 20 games left on the schedule, aren’t you tampering with the team chemistry? And a fragile team chemistry at that. James, Wade, and Bosh are still finding out how to coexist on the court. Adding Bibby only makes things more confusing and shows that the Heat don’t think they’ve got a complete team right now.

2. The Heat still don’t have super reliable role players that look comfortably playing with James, Wade, and Bosh.

Ask any casual NBA fan to name a player on the Heat not named LeBron, Dwyane, or Chris and you might hear “Mike Miller” a few times—but you’re probably not going to hear anyone jump at the chance to namedrop Mario Chalmers or Carlos Arroyo. Aside from the fact that neither has been particularly effective, they also haven’t looked comfortable in their roles for the majority of the season. And mark our words: Role players help win NBA championships. Word to Robert Horry.

3. Wade looks like he could get injured and get sent to the sidelines at any minute on the court.

Is it just us—or do you get the sense that D-Wade is just one wrong step away from getting put on the disabled list almost every time he steps on the court? Seriously, the guy is, like, made of glass or something these days. No offense, but if he happens to get hurt at some point during the playoffs, the Heat are done. LeBron or not, D-Wade is going to be the reason this team goes far into the playoffs or folds early.

4. The Heat seems like they think they’re entitled to a trip to the NBA Finals.

On paper, the Heat have one of the top three teams in the league, if not the best team overall. But that is only true because they’re got three of the league’s top-10 players. They aren’t playing very well as a team right now, but they still seem to think that individual stats and big numbers put up by the big three will be enough to send them to the NBA Finals. Think again, guys. Nothing—and we mean nothing—is going to get handed to you this year.

5. LBJ still hasn’t proven that he can lead a team to the promised land by carrying them on his back.

King James has been a peasant in the last week or so when it comes to finishing off games strong. He’s consistently put up big numbers this year, but he hasn’t been able to keep his team motivated when they’re got a big lead, and he hasn’t been able to close games when things get tight. If that continues, the Heat are in trouble. Unfortunately, that’s just one of many things holding them back right now. And if they aren’t careful, they could fizzle out before things even get started in the playoffs.

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