Miami Heat NBA Rumors, News: Bosh Leads the Heat as Wade, Deng, Granger, McRoberts Try to Fill Void Left by LeBron James

Lebron James is history, but that doesn't mean the Miami Heat will be a pushover in the coming NBA season.

In fact, the three-time NBA champions are eyeing another run at the title with the acquisition of three top-caliber players -- Josh McRoberts, Danny Granger and Luol Deng -- to complement the reenergized Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade.

With James gone, Bosh sees himself as the leader of the team this season, a role that he admits might not be that easy. "Those nights when you're going to have to put the extra effort for the team and to lead them in a certain way that I wasn't doing before -- it's going to be hard," Bosh told the Miami Herald in a recent interview.

Bosh has been working out for months in preparation for his new role as the main cog of the Heat offense under the supervision of trainer Ed Downs and personal skills coach Miles Simon.

"I'm excited," Bosh told Bleacher Report. "I really want to do it for the city of Miamiâ€"to show my evolution and my growth, and display a different level of my talent."

Aside from Bosh, much expectation is also focused on Wade, the veteran shooting guard who had his share of ups and downs in the last season. Wade was reported to have dropped 15 pounds, apparently to help ease the pressure on his troublesome knees. Wade appears in tip-top shape in a recent Instagram photo showing him running hard in zero gravity.

While he may not be able to fully regain the physical agility of his younger years, Wade looks good enough to face the challenge of leading Miami once again.

Wade says he's looking to play every game this year after sitting out 28 games last season. "My goal is to be available every day for my teammates and see what that equals out to. Hopefully it equals out to success for myself, individually, and for our team," he told the Sun-Sentinel.

Coach Erik Spoelstra said he is satisfied with Wade's physical conditioning. "He had a good summer, one of health, but also of training. So he came into camp in good shape and we'll just continue to progress him each day. I like the shape that he's in and we want to keep him taking steps forward," Spoelstra said.

With James out, and Ray Allen and Shane Battier leaning on retirement, the Heat need extra shooters.

Deng, who signed a two-year, $20-million deal with the Heat, appears ready to be one of the go-to guys in Miami. The former top scorer and defensive wizard of the Chicago Bulls will be called upon to deliver on both ends of the court. But just like Wade, health remains a major issue for Deng.

Granger, who signed a two-year, $4.2 million deal with Miami, can also be counted upon to deliver the goods. Despite the fact that his skills have diminished over the years and even if his 31-year-old knees may be creaky at times, the former Indiana Pacer can provide a deadly threat from beyond the three-point arc for the Heat with his career-best 38 percent clip.

McRoberts, who signed a four-year, $23 million deal with the Heat, is also expected to make a dent for Miami. The well-traveled 27-year-old power forward, who will be in his sixth team in eight season,s is coming off a career campaign in Charlotte where he started all 78 games he appeared in, averaging career highs in points (8.5) and minutes (30.3) per game. McRoberts is expected to start alongside Bosh this season, filling in the shoes of Shane Battier role and relieved at times by Chris Andersen.

Incidentally, all three of them -- McRoberts, Granger and Deng â€" used to torment the Heat in the past, especially in the playoffs. Deng has scored 20 or more points 15 times against the Heat. With Deng at the helm, the Bulls ended the Heat's franchise-record 27-game winning streak â€" the second-longest run in NBA history â€" in 2013.

Granger had led the Pacers in many close games against the Heat, their bitter rival in the East.

McRoberts will always be remembered for throwing an elbow into James' throat in last season's Charlotte-Miami series.