Assessing the Heat at midseason
Clockwise from top left: Between the games Dwyane Wade has sat and Chris Bosh has started, Erik Spoelstra constantly has had to reshuffle a mix that now has Hassan Whiteside and Shabazz Napier emerging.
Following Tuesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at AmericanAirlines Arena, the Miami Heat will be halfway home when it comes to the NBA's 82-game regular-season schedule.
For the first time in years, the midpoint of the schedule raises question about whether the Heat are halfway toward being home for good.
At 18-22, the Heat find themselves with a standings reminder that the Big Three era is history. Over the past four seasons, when LeBron James was alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the Heat's record at the 41-game mark was 29-12 last season, 28-13 in 2012-13, 31-10 in 2011-12 and 30-11 in 2010-11. A trip to the NBA Finals followed each time, with championships in '12 and '13.
Now?
Now there is concern about Wade missing 10 games through the season's first 40 games, the same amount he missed in last season's first 40, when he was on a since-abandoned "maintenance" program.
Now there is second-guessing about some of the offseason moves made by Pat Riley in the wake of James' free-agent departure to the Cleveland Cavaliers, from injury-prone Josh McRoberts, to again-struggling Danny Granger to the salary spent on Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen.
Now instead of a star system, there is hope that the youth of Hassan Whiteside, Shabazz Napier and James Ennis can make a difference.
"The biggest thing is you can't scoreboard watch," coach Erik Spoelstra said of where his team stands and where it hopes to head. "You have to absolutely commit to whatever your process is and attack that process every single day, of trying to get better, take steps forward, without getting caught up in the immediate results that everybody wants to see. That's probably the biggest challenge."
So where is this headed?
"You have to stay with it," Spoelstra said. "You have to stick to your goals of progress. For the last three weeks, we've had incredibly, frustrating, disappointing losses, where you've seen progress in our process. And that's the only thing we have to continue to buy into."
But is there enough to buy into? The Sun Sentinel goes five-on-five on the Heat at the season's midpoint, five perspectives of where the Heat stand, where they are headed.
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Q: At 18-22, this is not exactly where most viewed the Heat would be standing one game shy of midseason. Should we be surprised by the Heat's record and their place in the standings?
Keven Lerner, on-line sports editor: "Not really. The post-LeBron James era in Miami was bound for a rough start. That, combined with Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto and Washington emerging as the top teams in the much-improved Eastern Conference, will have the Heat fighting for their playoff lives."
Shandel Richardson, Miami Heat beat writer: "Not at all, considering what the team has endured the first half of the season. With the multiple injuries and lineup changes (not to mention the loss of LeBron), this team has accomplished enough just remaining in the playoff race."
Dave Hyde, columnist: "Yes, the record and standing in the East is a disappointment. I'm surprised. Cleveland's record is a bigger surprise, of course. But I figured even with the Josh McRoberts injury they would be something in the neighborhood of the reverse -- 22-18. There is still plenty of season to change that."
Greg Lee, executive sports editor: "I expected the Heat to actually be slightly better, but the Heat lost Chris Bosh for eight games due to injury and Dwyane Wade has missed 10 (no surprise). So I will give a pass for the team’s current record."
Ira Winderman, Miami Heat beat writer: "Very . . . until you realize the lack of identity the team carried into the season, the jumbled rotations, the ever-changing lineups, the injuries to Josh McRoberts, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh. To this point, it's been a recipe for disaster. Only now might we actually see what this could become."
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Q. Expectations aside, what element do you believe is most accountable for why they are below .500?
Lerner: "Lack of chemistry. With LeBron James handling so much of the offensive and defensive responsibilities the past four seasons, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are still searching for their identity. The overhauled roster has left the Heat lacking cohesion and togetherness."
Richardson: "The instability is the biggest reason for the losing record. There has just been too much mixing and matching with the lineup. Some of it is the rash of injuries; some of it is coach Erik Spoelstra being unsure about what he has. Things will change once stability is present."
Hyde: "Defense. This always has been a staple of the Heat. But they're in the bottom-third of the league in all the defensive stats. Guards weren't stopping penetration and there wasn't enough protection of the rim until Hassan Whiteside showed up."
Lee: "Inconsistent point guard play has plagued the team's offense. When LeBron James left, the team lost its best playmaker, as well. Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole and Shabazz Napier have not gotten it done in the backcourt."
Winderman: "The support system has been lacking. Wade and Bosh have held up their end (when ambulatory), but the Heat have yet to establish a rhythm with Deng or many of the other complementary pieces (they were getting there with McRoberts until he went down)."
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Q: Did Pat Riley provide Erik Spoelstra with enough to succeed?
Lerner: "Yes, but not nearly enough to win a championship. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh needed more top-tier talent. Josh McRoberts, Luol Deng, Danny Granger and Shawne Williams were nice offseason additions, but the loss of LeBron and Ray Allen were too much to overcome."
Richardson: "It's hard to blame Riley, because LeBron took things down to the wire last summer. If the Heat knew he was leaving, then you could point fingers. Riley did the best he could at the midnight hour to produce a team that is still competitive."
Hyde: "This was a transition year from the second LeBron left. Everyone knew that. The last thing I'm going to do is criticize Riley, considering his track record and the situation. But Spoelstra certainly has had to play without consistent point guard play or the kind of spot-up, 3-point shooter that would help."
Lee: "No one could have foreseen Josh McRoberts being out for the rest of the season. Riley did an admirable job of filling the roster up after James' departure. Riley did not do a good enough job in the backcourt at point guard and backup shooting guard."
Winderman: "Riley overstated the Chalmers/Cole combination at point guard, with neither truly required to facilitate with LeBron in place. And going into the season with Shannon Brown showed how ill-equipped the Heat were behind Wade at shooting guard."
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Q. What could be the X-factor going forward?
Lerner: "Dwyane Wade's health. Wade once again is battling a troublesome hamstring injury. The Heat simply cannot afford another extended absence. A surprising X-factor: Hassan Whiteside (if he can only stay out of foul trouble)."
Richardson: "Never been a fan of X-factors. Bottom line, this team will go as far as Chris Bosh's play and Dwyane Wade's health take it. They are still capable of playing consistently like All-Stars. If that happens, there’s no reason they shouldn't make the playoffs."
Hyde: "Barring a trade, it's Hassan Whiteside. He's changed some things the Heat can do and provided energy in the lineup. Is his recent run going to remain that way?"
Lee: "If the Heat want to move higher in the standings, two things must happen: Luol Deng must increase his scoring output. Also, if Hassan Whiteside continues to give the team consistent play, it will allow for the Heat to let Chris Bosh play his natural position of power forward."
Winderman: "X-factor? Two: The trading deadline and buyout deadline. There is such a fine line at the back end of the Eastern Conference playoff race, that a single personnel move could create a significant advantage. McRoberts couldn't impact the season, but the $2.65 million disabled-player exception received for his knee injury still could."
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Q. Where do you envision the second half of the season taking them?
Lerner: "On a roller-coaster ride in search of continuity and consistency. But the Heat should still make the playoffs, even with their first-half troubles."
Richardson: "The Heat aren't on the level of any of the top five seeds in the East. Their goal should be securing the No. 6 seed. If that happens, it's hard not to consider the season a success based on the circumstances."
Hyde: "They'll finish sixth in the East. Too many issues and too much in front of them to project higher. But it would be fun if they flirted with having a better record than Cleveland."
Lee: "The Heat must win the majority of their games vs. teams at .500 or below. The Heat will have 25 of their remaining 42 games against such opponents. I don't see the Heat getting better than a No. 7 seed unless they find effective reinforcements in the trade market."
Winderman: "To the best physiotherapists South Florida has to offer. The Heat have to keep Wade ambulatory. He missed 28 games last season, and that can't happen again. That, in fact, is the story that bridges the end of the first half of the season and start of the second: Can Dwyane Wade remain upright through April?"
Full article:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-midseason-s011915-story.html#page=1
Miami Heat: Mid-Season Progress Report
The Miami Heat are 18-22 midway through the season, so what's to like and what's not to like as we look at their progress report.
The Miami Heat are 40 games into the 82 game NBA season, and it's time for us to look at their progress. Earlier this season, Senior Writer for Hot Hot Hoops, Diego Quezada looked at their Heat's First Quarter Progress and determined that injuries and poor defense marred the Heat's good start to the season.
Now, at 18-22, the Heat find themselves in 7th place in the Eastern Conference. They are 7-12 at home, but 11-10 on the road. The Heat still find themselves as the worst rebounding team in the NBA, and are now one of the slower paced teams among the 30 teams. The Heat rank 28th in points scored per game and 25th in assists. However, Miami is 4th in the NBA in points allowed.
Dwyane Wade is leading the Heat in scoring at 22.1 PPG and Chris Bosh is right behind him 21.6 PPG. Luol Deng (14.2) and Mario Chalmers (10.7) are also scoring double figures for the Heat. But, here we want to look at more than just the stats you can find looking on your own. Let's look at the real progress and real problems the Heat have faced so far this season and asses where they are at in this point of the season.
The Positives
Mr. Whiteside
For real, Hassan Whiteside has uplifted the spirits of Heat nation at a desperate time. The 25 year-old is averaging only 7.2 PPG and 6.1 RPG, but it's the way and the progression in which he is doing it that makes us all excited. Before his foul troubled return to Sacramento, Whiteside had score din double figures in 6 straight games, highlighted by his 23 point, 16 rebound performance against the Clippers. It took Spoelstra a while to figure out what he had, but he has now played rotation minutes in 10 straight games.
Hassan is averaging 2.1 BPG and has a 25.2 PER! OK, did you hear that? He is a 25.2 PER, that's good for 8th in the NBA just behind LeBron's James' 25.59. Whiteside has been exciting, going after every block he can, and trying to push every paint touch into a basket. At 7'0, he's the center the Heat have always desperately needed since Alonzo Mourning retired. Of course, he comes with his blemishes, mostly fouling. But if you don't see this is a hope for the future, then you're fooling yourself.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whQiYkhW8Fc[/youtube]
The Defense
It has come on as of late. It was what harmed the Heat for so long, but they've managed to be a top 10 team defensively. In the last 6 games, the Heat have only let one team score 100+ points and that was the Golden State Warriors. It's a combination of trusting in the system, and that guy we just talked about protecting the rim.
The Heat have also made an effort to get back to regular basketball as either Chris Andersen of Hassan Whiteside is no starting at center instead of Chris Bosh. This has helped protect the paint, and cause opponents to score more from the outside that eat the Heat up in the middle. The defense ultimately is what will help the Heat turn their season around.
We beat the Cavaliers
Seriously though, that felt good. I was expecting the Cavs to come in there and LeBron drop 39 points on us and make Christmas a sad day. But it wasn't. We appreciated LeBron, showed our class, and then beat them without Chris Bosh. That's been a highlight of the season so far for me.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G06Qu16gyPA[/youtube]
The Negatives
The Injuries
This has been what hurt Miami to start the season, and really has been the biggest catalyst from stopping the Heat to reaching their potential. Obviously, just at the time the team and he was clicking, Josh McRoberts went down with a season ending knee injury. That hurts, that was their MLE pick-up, and really how they were going to glue their offense together.
Then, we've also had Wade miss 10 games (1/4 of the season), and Bosh miss 8 games. Mind you, those were all different games. That's 18 games out of 40 that the Heat have not had their power combo of Wade-Bosh. That's a lot of basketball to have your two best players not together. It's created some problems, and they are just now working through that.
Injuries are an excuse, and no one is going to feel sorry for the Heat. But when we look at the Heat's 18-22 record, keep in mind the circumstances it has come under. Hopefully, it gives you hope for the second half of the season if those two can stay healthy together.
Point Guard Play
It's been bad, folks. Norris Cole started off the season on such a strong note, it's hard to imagine he has fallen to nearly unproductive on the court. It just seems like he dribbles too much, and doesn't know when to assert himself. Chalmers had a great stretch when Wade missed 7 games in a row as he started at point guard. But he's had some trouble adjusting to bench player, and now back to a starter.
And then there's Shabazz Napier. He was in the rotation, and then sent to the D-League, and then out of the rotation, now he's started the last two games and played pretty well. With all of this said, the Heat are halfway in the season, and we don't know who their best play is at point guard. Hell, it's probably Dwyane Wade!
Spoelstra is going to have to figure this out soon because the Heat cannot go into the Playoffs not knowing their guard rotation. I, for one, would like to see Napier continue to get reps as the starting point guard and see where that takes us.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-UbrVv93aQ[/youtube]
Third Quarter Production
The Heat are the worst team in the NBA in scoring margin for the 3rd Quarter, and if you've watched them all season like we have, that's no surprise to you. The Heat are being outscored -4.1 per 3rd Quarter. That doesn't seem like a lot, but there has been plenty of times that number has been double digits. The Heat are a +1.1 first half team, and the break has killed them.
I don't know if they are getting better or not. But the trend is alarming, disturbing and disappointing. It's almost a joke when you watch it happen. The Heat could easily be 4-5 games better if they hadn't been out-done in third quarter by 15+ points.
Mid-Season Final Assessment Grade: C+
But, they are trending upward.
Full article:
http://www.hothothoops.com/2015/1/18/7629253/miami-heat-mid-season-progress-report-grades-wade-bosh-deng-lebron-nba
). We need to bring back the Heat Media Thread, so there's a central place you can drop them all - that would make it even easier for the slackest of us!
