Miami recorded an impressive 90-78 win over the Magic on Sunday, in which Stan Van Gundy endorsed the improvement of his rivals to the south.

Van Gundy offered three reasons on why the 11-12 Heat are better than last year's team.

"No. 1,'' he said, "they're together longer, they know each other better and they're hungry because they didn't get what they wanted last year.

"No. 2, they have a lot more depth,'' said Van Gundy, referring to the additions of Shane Battier and Norris Cole, along with a healthy Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem.

"No. 3 — and I think this is a huge part of it — they've settled their point-guard position,'' Van Gundy said. "Last year, they went through a lot of different guys. Mario (Chalmers)was in there. Carlos Arroyo was starting early. Mike Bibby was there late. They were all up and down. Now they've settled and Mario is having a very good year."

Van Gundy believes Chalmers is in the top half of NBA point guards.

"The position is a strength, not a weakness,'' he said.