Several teams have gotten off to slow starts across the league, most notably the Rockets, Jazz, Celtics and Wizards. The Heat are another team that has been somewhat overlooked in that conversation, as they are off to a 7-12 start. Perhaps many overlook the Heat because they are used to slow starts from them (who could forget the 11-30 first half two seasons ago?). Maybe it’s the fact that the Heat are in the Eastern Conference, which should keep them in the playoff picture throughout the entire season.
Regardless, the Heat are struggling as a result of a poor offense, inconsistent play and injuries. Goran Dragic, James Johnson, Dion Waiters, Dwyane Wade, Justise Winslow and Wayne Ellington have all missed several games. As a result, the Heat have had to mix and match lineups and rotations throughout the season, which certainly hasn’t helped their offense.
The Heat currently own the 26th-ranked offense, which is holding back a team that provides effort and defense on a nightly basis (they currently have the 11th-best defense).
As the Heat continue to get healthy and get their ideal rotation on the court, one would expect them to step things up and squeeze into the playoffs. However, with the Hornets and Pistons playing relatively well and looking like potential playoff teams, the Heat may have to battle the Wizards for that final playoff spot (assuming the Magic fall back down to earth).
What do you think? Do you think that this slow start for the Heat is just a result of injuries? Or is this a sign of things to come this season? Vote in the poll below and share your thoughts in the comments section!
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Unless they make a big time deal, No
Rofl still early. Team still hasnt been healthy. Lost a bunch of close games. Back of the league in turnovers, free throws, and 4th quarter scoring, but top 8 in defense. Free throws wont get fixed, but the other issues will, especially the turnovers, which have begun to turn around the last 4 games. Also, once James Johnson gets his rhythm back, his defense should improve them further on that end. His absence was a big deal b/c the Heat had nobody behind Winslow at the 4
Its early for all teams, however unlike the others mentioned the Heat have no star to lead the them through the playoffs so even if they get in they won’t last past the first round.
Yes. Miami will make it.
They need star power, when Whiteside is the best player in the team, can be hard to see them going on a run, right?
Whiteside would be so much better if they could use him like Toronto does with Valanciunas, and he would come off the bench. He was awful tonight, as he hasnt even been nearly as good as he was a few years ago this season. That season he came off the bench by the way
Even healthy I don’t like this roster enough to see them as a playoff team, much less with their current injury woes.
Watched the game last night, and Whiteside does not belong in the modern NBA. There is nowhere near enough three point shooting, and they are over reliant on an old and creaky D-Wade. He played great last night, helping to keep them in the game, but they can’t count on that production consistently.
The only saving grace is that the teams at the bottom end of the eastern conference playoff picture are also flawed. That said, I see them ending up 9th or 10th unless a deal comes together in the next 4-6 weeks.
I saw them play Pacers….court side. Wade was out. Not a lot of talent. Whiteside is slow! Will be hard to make playoffs. Riles has the ability to pull the rabbit…
Former #1 is not the measuring stick….he is a Headcase and useless. He deserves to live in Cleveland and their FO might bite. This kid was a baller in pac 12….and now this. I would make him pee in a cup.
Who? Sorry didn’t understand who you were talking about
Heat need to just move Whiteside and Dragic for draft picks or young chips. Also need to see if they can find a sucker for Tyler Johnson’s contract. Keep on the rebuilding course.
You think they’re in a rebuilding phase.
To a certain extent, they are. The only thing that makes them not be in that phase is the effort to win with Dragic and Whiteside, along with some of the other vets. I say go all in by dealing these two since we’re not really a championship contender. At best we’re a sacrificial lamb play off team for the real contenders.
Who cares if they do, it’s not like they’ll get out of the 1st round. They have a ton of bad contracts, and no good young assets. This franchise looks to be in a terrible place now and the future.