Ray Allen adds to the offensive Heat in Miami

• Free agent gives Miami a three-point dangerous threat
• Guard expected to come off the bench, start on occasion
• Heat learned lessons after winning 2005-06 title

MIAMI -- With the addition of guard Ray Allen and forward Rashard Lewis, Miami Heat forward LeBron James believes the Heat can be "scary good."

"We can be better than we were this past season," James said. "Are we better right now than we were just a couple of months ago? Of course not. But we've got time to get better. We have the potential to be better. We have the potential to be a lot better, and that is scary."

And problematic for the rest of the league. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra learned a lesson from the 2006-07 Heat. After winning a title in 2005-06, Miami made no significant changes for the following season and lost in the first round of the playoffs.

Knowing the rest of the league would be active in free agency in the summer, Spoelstra understood the Heat needed to make changes, too.

"We really wanted to commit to improving our roster," Spoelstra said.

The Heat are an even deeper team this season, with Allen and Lewis expected to come off the bench -- though there could be times when they start this season.

"We wanted to add some depth, not to be able to rest guys, but to be able to withstand the rigors of a very competitive, physical 82-game season, and keep guys fresh especially when it counts during the playoffs," Spoelstra said.

Allen gives Miami a component it has not had the past two seasons -- a top-notch catch-and-shoot three-point shooter. Sure, the Heat have others, such as Mike Miller, Shane Battier, Mario Chalmers and James Jones. But Allen is the league's all-time leader in three-pointers made and attempted.

"There are only a handful of players in this league who absolutely strike fear when they raise and, in particular, in the fourth quarter of tight games," Spoelstra said. "There's a collective 'Oh no,' coming from the coaching staff, the bench and the players on the court when he breaks free for a three-pointer."

It does take a few minutes to get used to Allen wearing Miami's white uniform instead of Boston's green and white. But the Heat are thrilled to have him. It was difficult enough for opponents to defend James, guard Dwyane Wade and forward Chris Bosh. Now, throw Allen into the mix.

"I look forward to that because you have some of the players in the NBA here who can make plays, can score, can play off the ball,can pass, can do so many different things," Allen said. "That becomes contagious for the rest of the team."

That's the scary part.