Have the Heat Secured Top of the Table?

[bebopdeluxe]

Can the converse be applied then? Can we wait a month before calling him washed? I think he’ll be rusty and just kinda helpful this season. Next season is when I’m expecting to see what he’ll be long term for the Heat.

I mention Klay, because almost no one said he was washed despite missing 2 straight seasons to severe injuries. His first game back was such a circus that an injured player started the game injured so he could be recorded as having started with him on that game. When they were sitting top before Klay came back, people were saying If he’s 80% then it’s game over for the league.
Meanwhile, Heat fans being excited about Dipo come back is almost unanimously met with “he washed”.

I am not calling him washed. I am just calling out Heat fans who are saying his return is a huge boost to them. We have absolutely NO IDEA of what he has got, so to say his return is some kind of huge addition is kinda silly....especially given that he has not been a productive player in almost FOUR years.

Do you disagree with that?

I disagree with the idea that he hasn’t been productive in four years. He may not have been the most efficient version of himself or even all-star level. But we’re not expecting that. He’s averaged around 15/5/5 during those 4 years.

If we get 80% of that - 12/4/4 - then it’s a pretty good pickup for the Heat. If we don’t, but his D is strong enough to play him next to Herro then he’ll still be an upgrade.

We have no idea, but we’re fans. Let us be positive about our player returning.

You can absolutely be positive about the POTENTIAL of Olidipo returning and being a solid contributor. My problem was with Heat fans that are EXPECTING that Olidipo WILL be this big jolt of talent being added. My point is that, in the 3 years since the injury, in the 52 games that he has played, his advanced metrics grade him out as a replacement-level player. No more, no less. Now, as a bench guy who can play some D and score a few buckets? Sure - that would help. But, again, playing at the level of a 7th-8th man is not some game-changing addition to the roster.

SO, if you are a Heat fan, I can appreciate being optimistic that Dipo can help. Last night was a step in the right direction. I will choose to see how he looks 10-15 games from now before saying that he levels-up the roster in a meaningful way.

[KingDavid]

I am not calling him washed. I am just calling out Heat fans who are saying his return is a huge boost to them. We have absolutely NO IDEA of what he has got, so to say his return is some kind of huge addition is kinda silly....especially given that he has not been a productive player in almost FOUR years.

Do you disagree with that?

I disagree with the idea that he hasn’t been productive in four years. He may not have been the most efficient version of himself or even all-star level. But we’re not expecting that. He’s averaged around 15/5/5 during those 4 years.

If we get 80% of that - 12/4/4 - then it’s a pretty good pickup for the Heat. If we don’t, but his D is strong enough to play him next to Herro then he’ll still be an upgrade.

We have no idea, but we’re fans. Let us be positive about our player returning.

You can absolutely be positive about the POTENTIAL of Olidipo returning and being a solid contributor. My problem was with Heat fans that are EXPECTING that Olidipo WILL be this big jolt of talent being added. My point is that, in the 3 years since the injury, in the 52 games that he has played, his advanced metrics grade him out as a replacement-level player. No more, no less. Now, as a bench guy who can play some D and score a few buckets? Sure - that would help. But, again, playing at the level of a 7th-8th man is not some game-changing addition to the roster.

SO, if you are a Heat fan, I can appreciate being optimistic that Dipo can help. Last night was a step in the right direction. I will choose to see how he looks 10-15 games from now before saying that he levels-up the roster in a meaningful way.

It seems like you're trying to gatekeep expectations and splitting hairs between potential/expectations, as silly as that sounds. Yes, we heat fans have certain expectations of Oladipo given how he looked right before he went down against the Lakers. Victor Oladipo is a better basketball player than g-league scrub Gabe Vincent in virtually every aspect on both sides of the ball except 3pt shooting and he fills the need for a floor general when Lowry hits the bench. So the expectation is that as long as he's healthy, he is an upgrade to our massive weakness at backup pg. That is a huge boost to a team that is 1st in the East. So we have the potential to be better than what we are with him in the lineup. I don't see the need for you to have a problem with us celebrating that fact.

[Slacktard]

I def thought they were close to doing that. I don't think a 4-6 record over the 10 games from this topic posting was expected.

[Joshyjess]

Might want to change the name of this thread to "Have the Heat secured a first round home-court advantage?"

[puppa bear]

Quick someone make a “Philly are the clear favourite” thread, so the jinx that was passed to the Heat (from the Bulls) can be passed onto the next team.