A lack of communication may be behind Miami’s sub-par start this season. As Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel writes, the Heat hashed things out in real, raw terms Sunday morning and seem to be in better spirits as a result of it.
“We had our discussions this morning,” forward James Johnson said. “We aired it out this morning. A lot of people took heat. I think it was the best thing for us to do, even more important than film. That’s what this culture is about, that’s what we’re about — staring guys in the eyes, telling guys the truth and that’s how you show you really love somebody.”
The Heat started famously bad last season before rallying from an 11-30 start to compete for an Eastern Conference playoff berth. That comeback was built largely on the culture that Johnson refers to.
There’s more out of Miami this weekend:
- Dion Waiters will still get an opportunity to be a closer for the Heat, despite the fact that he struggled mightily against the Celtics this weekend. Head coach Erik Spoesltra told the Sun Sentinel that, despite a lingering ankle issue that occasionally appears to impede him, Waiters will continue to be fully in the mix heading forward.
- The Heat have been without Hassan Whiteside since their season opener. Point guard Goran Dragic considers the 28-year-old center to be the heart of the team, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel reports. The big man has missed four games with a bone bruise on his knee.
- The Heat haven’t started their campaign how they would have liked to and emotions are starting to ramp up. “I love all the emotions that players go through,” head coach Erik Spoelstra told the media, including the Sun Sentinel. “I don’t even care if it boils over. It means you care.”
Hopefully Dion figures it out soon. He’s the key this year
I think an improvement in Whiteside’s willingness to pass, and his attentiveness to detail, and improved pick and roll defense is the key. If Whiteside takes the next step that changes a lot. He has been a black hole/turnover machine in the post, and isn’t engaged defensively often enough. This is the year where that needs to change if he wants the recognition he’s looking for
The season would normally be starting around now, so most teams are probably still not entirely in rhythm to start the season. That being said, it’s felt like the Heat are being too cute with what they’re doing. They’re playing through James Johnson and Olynyk too much, and Dragic and the other guards aren’t getting enough early touches in the possession, and aren’t being aggressive and attacking like they usually do. The other thing that’s happening is nobody is even looking at the rim when they attack the basket, which obviously hurts the drive and kick b/c you can anticipate passes if we aren’t trying to finish and score at the rim. Also, we’re playing a 7 man rotation the last 2 games, which seems drastic. We haven’t shot the ball well in the 2nd half of games, and part of that is not having Ellington or Okaro out there to help in that regard while McGruder is out, and the other part is what I was saying before. Teams are realizing they don’t have to contain the paint b/c we aren’t looking to score, and they can close out to our shooters easier. Meanwhile, we’re getting pounded on the offensive glass without Whiteside b/c we don’t have Reed anymore, and for some reason UD doesn’t see minutes, even against Aldridge and Gasol, and Okaro hasn’t had playing time either, and he competes on the glass. Aldridge, Gasol, and Horford took big advantage against Bam, Olynyk, JJ, and Winslow inside, and I don’t think that happens with UD on the floor. Heat have also been getting beaten to a lot of loose balls so far…thats something McGruder was very good at
It’s cool though. Spo does this every year, to be honest. He messes with the rotation early on just for the sake of seeing different situations. I just don’t like throwing away games on purpose in the regular season, despite that, considering there will be a lot of teams fighting for the same spots this year. I do anticipate things getting smoother in the next week or 2 though. At least everyone else is dealing with the shorter training camp as well, and once Whiteside is back, it should help in certain areas I mentioned. The game is better paced without him though