Josh Smith is one of the most maligned players in the NBA. He is an impressive talent with many strengths as a basketball player, but for some reason he plays to his most glaring weakness: the three-point shot. He can make plays like he did in his epic performance in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Los Angeles Clippers. Then he can also make inexplicable turnovers and take even worse three-point shots. Smith has shown flashes of what he is capable of being. Stan Van Gundy didn’t have the patience to try and pull it out of him (which was a surprise to no one) and Kevin McHale doesn’t have the skill for it. What it’s going to take for Smith is the right team. The right fit. The right coach.

The Miami Heat have two future Hall of Famers, an All-Star point guard, a great coach and a world class front office. Simply put, if Smith won’t shape up in Miami, he’s never going to shape up. Dwyane Wade is known for being a great teammate and prefers to lead by example. When someone makes a bad play, however, he has no problem getting in their face and letting them know about it. This is the kind of element that Smith needs to add to his in-game career. Being coddled through turnovers and poor shot selection does nothing but enable him to continue his poor play. A legend like Wade getting in his ear with advice and criticism can only be positive. They also carry another future Hall of Famer in Chris Bosh. Unlike Smith, Bosh can shoot the three at an efficient rate. Bosh’s abilities can open the door for two of Smith’s great strengths, his mid-range jump shot and his ability to score from isolation sets in the low block.

Of course, he needs someone to facilitate.

Everything is always better when you have a good point guard. Miami made sure to hold on to Goran Dragic in the offseason who loves to run in transition, as Smith certainly does as well. With the other power forwards being three-point shooters in Bosh and Josh McRoberts, it certainly makes up for Smith’s inaccuracy.

On top of their formidable roster Miami also has a great coach in Erik Spoelstra. Spoelstra runs a simple system which is perfect for Smith. He wants to force turnovers, get out and run on defense. On offense he wants to penetrate, run pick and rolls and then kick out for an open three.

If Smith is finally willing to accept the role where he belongs, a scoring sixth man who provides a spark off the bench, this will be a huge get for Miami and a career-changing move for the 29-year-old from College Park, Georgia. Straight out of high school, approaching his 12th season in the league, it’s time for Smith to grow up. If there is any way he can do that it’s by taking his unique but inadequately used talents down to South Beach.

Chipper Murphy is a Beat Writer for the New York Knicks on www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChipperMurphy, “Like” him on Facebook.