Ranking every Miami Heat season under Pat Riley, worst to best

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Only a few weeks away from the 27th season since Pat Riley joined the Heat in 1995, I’ve created a list ranking all twenty-six seasons during his tenure.  Rather than just purely looking at total wins, or playoff finishes, I have tried to compare the rosters and rank the teams in comparison to how they would fare if they faced each other.  Unfortunately for Heat fans, health and injury issues still count in these rankings, so those teams will once again be cut short of their potential.  

 

  1. 2007-2008

Record:  15-67

This season was so disastrous, it caused Pat Riley to retire (again).  Dwyane Wade missed the last third of the season with a knee injury and Alonzo Mourning suffered a career-ending knee injury.  The 2006 championship roster quickly transitioned to significant roles for Ricky Davis, Mark Blount, Daequan Cook, and others who had quick stops in the league.  

 

  1. 2002-2003

Record:  25-57

With Mourning still dealing with his kidney ailment, and leading scorer Eddie Jones missing the 2nd half of the season, the Heat stumbled to the worst record in the division.  The only bright spots were Caron Butler’s All-Rookie season and the product of this struggle led to the 5th pick in the 2003 Draft which changed the course of the franchise forever.  

 

  1. 2018-2019

Record:  39-43

In Dwyane’s “One Last Dance”, the Heat narrowly missed the playoffs in the final week of the season.  This year also marked a transition to young players like Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow, and Bam Adebayo moving into significant roles.  Richardson led the team in minutes, steals, and points and was the piece moved to land Jimmy Butler that summer.  

 

  1. 2001-2002

Record:  36-46

With Mourning’s inspiring return to the court, the Heat finally got to see the vision of Zo, Brian Grant, and Eddie Jones together.  However, the additions of veterans like Chris Gatling, Rod Strickland, LaPhonso Ellis, Kendall Gill, and Jimmy Jackson were not enough support.  The Heat stumbled out of the gates, and never recovered en route to Pat Riley’s first season missing the playoffs during his legendary coaching career.

 

  1. 2006-2007

Record:  44-38 (Division Champs, Lost in 1st Round)

After winning the first championship in franchise history, the “championship hangover” lasted all the way until a 1st round sweep to the Bulls.  With injuries to Shaq and Wade, Pat Riley missing time, and a stale roster that “ran it back” to an embarrassing failure.

 

  1. 2014-2015

Record:  37-45

Losing LeBron James would push most teams into tanking, but the Miami Heat remained competitive.  And after the trade deadline acquisition of Goran Dragic, the Heat looked to be elevating itself in the Eastern Conference race.  Unfortunately shortly after the trade, it was discovered that Chris Bosh would be sidelined with blood clots and their playoff aspirations vanished.  

 

  1. 2017-2018

Record:  44-38 (Lost in 1st Round)

In a season highlighted by the re-acquisition of Dwyane Wade at the trade deadline, the Heat fought its way to a division championship before a disappointing 1st round loss to the Sixers in 5 games.  After an exciting 16-17 run, the Heat questionably “ran it back” re-signing Dion Waiters, James Johnson, and adding Kelly Olynyk to a team that seemed stuck in mediocrity.  

 

  1. 2009-2010

Record:  47-35 (Lost in 1st Round)

Without prime Wade carrying the load, this roster may be one of the worst in Heat history.  A supporting cast of Jermaine O’Neal, Michael Beasley, Quentin Richardson (acquired mid-season), Mario Chalmers, and Carlos Arroyo was enough to make the playoffs, but the season quickly ended at the hands of the Celtics in the 1st round.  The disappointment of another season wasted in Wade’s prime would soon lead to more promising times.

 

  1. 2008-2009

Record:  43-39 (Lost in 1st Round)

The Heat rebounded from one of their worst seasons in franchise history under new head coach Erik Spoelstra, who had a healthy Dwyane Wade at his peak, scoring a career-high 30.2 points per game.  Along with Wade and Jermaine O’Neal, the Heat added two youngsters to the rotation – 2nd overall pick Michael Beasley, and a 2nd round point guard Mario Chalmers who quickly became the starting point guard.  While greatly improved, the Heat lost in the 1st round to the Atlanta Hawks in seven games.  

 

  1. 2016-2017

Record:  41-41

With Dwyane leaving for Chicago, the Heat were now “Big 3-less” and started the season 11-30.  Heading for one of the worst seasons in franchise history, the Heat flipped the script and finished 30-11 but lost a tie-breaker to qualify for the playoffs.  Following his max contract, Hassan Whiteside led the NBA in rebounding.  Goran Dragic starred a balanced attack with eight players averaging double digit points for the season.  

 

  1. 2000-2001

Record:  50-32 (Lost in 1st Round)

The Heat looked poised to improve on a 50-win season after acquiring Eddie Jones and Brian Grant to pair with Tim Hardaway, Alonzo Mourning, and a strong supporting cast.  But after returning from the Olympics, it was discovered that Mourning had a kidney disorder that would cause him to miss the entire season.  As part of the Eddie Jones trade, Anthony Mason had a surprising All-Star season for the Heat.  But the season ended in 1st round disappointment, swept by the recently traded Jamal Mashburn and the Charlotte Hornets.

 

  1. 1995-1996

Record:  42-40 (Lost in 1st Round)

In his first season in Miami, Riley made immediate changes.  The Heat acquired Alonzo Mourning on the first day of the regular season, and later traded to land Tim Hardaway, Chris Gatling, and Walt Williams.  The mid-season addition of Voshon Lenard from the CBA also proved to be crucial.  Mourning became the Heat’s first all-star during this season.  Although they ultimately fell to the 72-10 Bulls in the 1st round, the Heat were able to defeat the Bulls with just 8 players in February.  

 

  1. 2020-2021

Record:  40-32 (Lost in 1st Round)

A season marked league-wide by COVID restrictions and empty arenas, the Heat were unable to shake off injuries and inconsistencies after their exciting run to the NBA Finals in the Orlando bubble.  Their late season run avoided the “play-in games” but drew a 1st round matchup with eventual champion Milwaukee that ended in four games.

 

  1. 2003-2004

Record:  42-40 (Lost in 2nd Round)

This season marked the second chapter of the Riley era.  After handing the head coaching role to Stan Van Gundy, the team moved forward with rookie Dwyane Wade and undrafted Udonis Haslem, a newly acquired Lamar Odom, and what remained of the early 2000s Heat.  After an 0-7 start, the Heat managed to finish strong and land the 4th seed.  Wade began to establish himself as an emerging superstar in clutch moments, defeating the New Orleans Hornets in seven games, before being eliminated in six competitive games to the Indiana Pacers.  

 

  1. 2015-2016

Record:  48-34 (Division Champs, Lost in 2nd Round)

The Heat returned to the playoffs only one season removed from losing LeBron James, winning their division and finishing 3rd in the East.  Sparked by rookies Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson, as well as the rise of Hassan Whiteside.  The youngsters complimented Wade, Goran, and an all-star return of Chris Bosh.  Unfortunately for the Heat, following the All-Star Game Bosh was sidelined again due to the blood clots which would eventually end his career.  Wade led the Heat past the Hornets in seven games in the 1st round, before falling short to the Raptors in seven games in the 2nd round.

 

  1. 1997-1998

Record:  55-27 (Division Champs, Lost in 1st Round)

Overcoming significant injuries to Mourning and Mashburn, the Heat finished 2nd in the East led by another strong season by Hardaway.  For the second straight postseason, the Heat found themselves matched up against the Knicks.  Late in game four, with a 2-1 lead, Alonzo Mourning fought former teammate Larry Johnson.  The Heat would lose that game, as well as game five without a suspended Zo.  

 

  1. 2004-2005

Record:  59-23 (Division Champs, Lost in East Finals)

The Heat immediately became a title contender after acquiring Shaquille O’Neal from the Lakers in July.  Dwyane Wade joined his new teammate making his 1st all-star game.  The Heat finished 1st in the East, swept through the first two rounds of the playoffs, but with a hobbled Wade the Heat fell short in the Eastern Conference Finals, losing to the defending champion Pistons in seven games.

 

  1. 1999-2000

Record:  52-30 (Division Champs, Lost in 2nd Round)

Led by another All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year season by Alonzo Mourning, the Heat finished 2nd in the East.  Jamal Mashburn elevated his play and was 2nd to Zo on the team in scoring.  The Heat dealt with injuries to Hardaway and Lenard, but Anthony Carter and Bruce Bowen stepped into their roles admirably.  After sweeping the Pistons, the Heat found themselves up against the Knicks for the fourth straight playoffs.  After leading 3-2, the Heat lost the final two games of the series – including the unforgettable decision for Mashburn to pass the critical shot to Clarence Weatherspoon.  

 

  1. 2010-2011

Record:  58-24 (Division Champs, Lost in Finals)

After adding superstars LeBron James and Chris Bosh to Dwyane Wade, the Heat’s expectations were never higher.  They finished with the 3rd best record in team history, but were 2nd in the East behind Chicago.  The Heat “gentleman sweeped” themselves through the Eastern Conference playoffs, before facing the Mavericks in the Finals.  The Heat won game one, led the series 2-1, but eventually lost the final three games of the series.  The failure is usually remembered by the criticism of LeBron James, who averaged 8.9 less points per game in the series and only averaged three points in the series fourth quarters.  

 

  1. 1998-1999

Record:  33-17 (Division Champs, Lost in 1st Round)

The Heat entered the playoffs as the East’s 1st seed in a lockout-shortened season.  Alonzo Mourning had his best season in a Heat uniform, finishing 2nd in MVP voting and winning Defensive Player of the Year.  Tim Hardaway also was selected to the All-NBA 2nd team.  But in the playoffs, facing the Knicks for the third consecutive season, the Heat lost on a disgusting Allan Houston buzzer-beater in a winner-take-all Game 5.  The Heat became the 2nd #1 seed in NBA history to lose in the 1st round and the Knicks’ run as the 8 seed went all the way to the NBA Finals.  

 

  1. 1996-1997

Record:  61-21 (Division Champs, Lost in East Finals)

Building on his successful first season in Miami, Riley added Dan Majerle, PJ Brown, Ike Austin, and Jamal Mashburn (mid-season) to a talented Heat team.  Hardaway had a career year, joining Mourning on the all-star team and finishing 4th in MVP voting.  They finished 2nd in the East with a team best 61 wins and won their first playoff series in franchise history.  After series wins against the Magic and Knicks, the Heat ran into the Bulls on their way to back-to-back championships.  

 

  1. 2019-2020

Record:  44-29 (Division Champs, Lost in Finals)

After acquiring Jimmy Butler in the offseason, and with the emergence of all-star Bam Adebayo, Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro, and Kendrick Nunn, the Heat quickly became an unexpected contender in the Eastern Conference.  When the season resumed in the Orlando bubble, Heat culture went on a magical run led by Goran Dragic and Jimmy Butler – sweeping the Pacers, knocking out the MVP and 1st seed Bucks in five games, and winning the Eastern Conference by defeating the Celtics in six games.  While they extended the series to six games, the Heat struggled to overcome injuries to Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo in a Finals loss to the Lakers.  

 

  1. 2005-2006

Record:  52-30 (Division Champs, NBA Champs)

After falling short of a championship the year prior, the Heat engineered a multi-team trade to acquire Antoine Walker, James Posey, and Jason Williams, while adding veteran Gary Payton to the roster.  Led again by Wade and Shaq, the Heat entered the playoffs as the East’s 2nd seed.  After defeating the Bulls and Nets, the Heat were able to overcome the Pistons in a rematch of the previous Eastern Conference Finals.  In their first NBA Finals, the Heat found themselves down 0-2 to the Mavericks.  Taking advantage of the NBA’s 2-3-2 format, the Heat won the next 3 games in Miami and won their first championship by taking Game 6 in Dallas.  Dwyane Wade provided a legendary performance in the Finals, averaging 34.7 point, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.7 steals in the series on way to the Finals MVP.

 

 

  1. 2013-2014

Record:  54-28 (Division Champs, Lost in Finals)

After winning back-to-back championships, the Heat looked to 3-peat in the 4th season of the “Big 3”.  Entering the playoffs as the East’s 2nd seed, the Heat defeated the Bobcats, Nets, and Pacers on their way to a Finals rematch with the San Antonio Spurs.  In what proved to be the end of the “Big 3” era, the Spurs dominated the Heat from start to finish, winning the championship in five games.  

 

  1. 2011-2012

Record:  46-20 (Division Champs, NBA Champs)

After a disappointing finish to the previous year, and a lockout stalling the beginning of this season, the Heat finished 2nd in the East.  Once again, Bosh, Wade, and James were all-stars and moved swiftly through the first two rounds of the playoffs, beating the Knicks and Pacers.  Once again facing a disappointing exit from the playoffs, LeBron James turned in one of his most legendary playoff performances (45-15-5) in a game six Heat win in Boston.  After losing the 1st game of the NBA Finals, the Heat swept the next four games to defeat the Thunder and win their 2nd championship in franchise history.

 

  1. 2012-2013

Record:  66-16 (Division Champs, NBA Champs)

After winning its first “Big 3” championship, the Heat added Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis to the roster.  Finishing 1st in the East propelled by a 27-game winning streak that is 2nd best in NBA history, all-star seasons by Wade, LeBron, and Bosh, and LeBron’s fourth MVP season (one vote from unanimous).  The Heat made quick work of the Bucks and Bulls in the playoffs, before a difficult seven game series with the Pacers.  In the NBA Finals, the Heat faced the Spurs and found themselves training 3-2 returning to Miami.  With the yellow ropes surrounding the court and a Spurs championship imminent, Bosh rebounded a LeBron miss, found Allen in the corner for a game-tying 3 pointer to force overtime.  The Heat would win that overtime sealed by a Bosh block on Danny Green, and eventually prevailed in Game 7 to win their 2nd consecutive championship.

 

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Dame Lillard needs Blazers to go for Broke

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Before the Olympics began, reports of Damian Lillard’s displeasure with the Portland Trail Blazers erupted.  According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Lillard’s worries about the organization being a genuine championship contender could push him “out the door.”  

 

Ahead of leaving for Tokyo with Team USA, Lillard denied requesting a trade, but in the same statement, contradicted himself with a stunning admission, “I haven’t made any firm decision on what my future will be.” 

 

Two summers ago, Dame Time signed a super-max extension to keep him in Portland until the end of the 2024/2025 season and pay him over $48 million in the last year.  The ink isn’t dry on his deal, yet it seems that his affections for the only pro team he’s ever known are dwindling.  How else can someone with four years remaining on their contract, while making extraordinary sums of money, claim their mind isn’t made up?  

 

The answer to that question is painfully obvious.  Lillard has no other leverage in forcing the team’s hand to improve than to give the impression he’ll look to bounce if he is suspicious that they are too comfortable.  He’s a sharp dude.

 

I’m not sure if this is what the  Big O (Oscar Robertson) envisioned when the Players Union settled with the league in the Robertson Suit in 1976, which as Sam Smith brilliantly explains in his book Hard Labor, created the NBA as we know it.  As of now, it appears that Lillard is grabbing the Trail Blazers by the balls, and he should continue to squeeze.

 

The list of players that could get away with “indecisiveness” when already contractually committed and not have their rep suffer too much is not long.  Recently, the Oakland native said, “I know what the truth is. I know where I stand. It’s not my duty to make the public know … it’s not my job to make them aware of what that is.”

 

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Lillard’s frustration with Portland is understandable, but unfortunately, the fans were caught in the crossfire.  The front office’s master plan this offseason resulted in signing Ben Mclemore, Cody Zeller and Tony Snell as free agents for the bench.  Then on Aug. 27, as part of a three-team deal with Chicago and Cleveland, the Blazers swapped Derrick Jones Jr. and a protected first-round pick to the Bulls.  Lauri Markkanen, originally a Bull, found a new home in Cleveland, and the Blazers got Larry Nance Jr., per the Athletic.

 

With respect to the new members of the Portland outfit, the front office’s performance thus far in the offseason is underwhelming, which probably doesn’t delight Lillard.  The Trail Blazers, much like the 76ers, appear to have plateaued and cannot improve without making drastic alterations to the lineup. 

 

It would behoove the team’s managers to feverishly search for a suitable trade partner, but I’ll suggest one: the Philadelphia 76ers.  Both teams could get salaries to match in trading Ben Simmons to Portland in exchange for Mr. President of the Players Union CJ McCollum and Anfernee Simons, sent to Philly.

 

In this proposed scenario, no team loses as each club eliminates a problem.  The 76ers can’t continue to utilize Simmons as the primary ball-handler because he is reluctant to shoot when left open, despite his game-changing ability on the defensive side of the court.  McCollum, in his place, gives Philly more variety attacking, and his defender won’t sag off and clog the lane for the other 76ers on the court.

 

 The Trail Blazers, over the past five seasons, have only had a top 15 defensive rating once (6), and that was in 2018.  The past two years, Portland was 29th in that category in 2021 and 27th in 2020.  Hypothetically, Simmons in black and red instantly improves the squad’s defensive ceiling due to his skills operating in multiple coverages.

 

Any suggestion that could boost the Blazer’s chances of winning needs to be explored by the top brass immediately. Dame Time is the best player to walk through Portland’s doors since Bill Walton and Clyde Drexler.  The team is not good enough, and Lillard needs the execs to reach for the stars.  

 

Manny Diaz’s Date With Destiny

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In a way, Manny Diaz embodies everything about Miami generally, and Miami football, specifically. The eponymously named son of a former mayor of Cuban descent enters a pivotal third year as captain of Miami’s ship with the daunting task of arresting a 20-year slide and restoring one of college football’s elite programs to their rightful place at the top of college football.

One of the interesting things about Diaz’s path to head coach at Miami is that it is simultaneously extremely unique having never played and having attended rival Florida State while also mirroring one of Miami’s more recent head coaches (Randy Shannon).

Shannon, a Miami-born formerly successful Defensive Coordinator with a fondness for discarding assistant coaches, famously failed at Miami. So how and why will Diaz succeed where 4 previous head coaches have failed? And why is it of paramount importance that this hire succeeds?

Smarter than the Average Bear

Sports narratives are often driven by masculine traits being viewed positively. With some merit. Toughness, strength, fortitude are necessities if you’re going to be successful in football, which often resembles gladiatorial combat as much as a game.

And when those qualities extend to the head coach we view decisiveness and consistency as strengths, and hesitation and erraticism as weakness. But did you ever stop to think about how those qualities could possibly lend themselves to success in the event that the person exhibiting those seemingly strong qualities is actually incapable of performing the job with which he’s tasked? Decisively wrong is actual weakness.

The 4 previously failed Miami head coaches dating back 2 decades have all embodied those winning qualities to some extent, and yet failed because those character traits were being exhibited by someone who was ill-suited to doing the hard work of maintaining or rebuilding the program. Where does Manny Diaz fit on this scale?

The reality is we don’t know. He has certainly eclipsed the low bar Al Golden set when he tried to simultaneously enrich a bunch of yes men while attempting to unwind the soul of the program. But that is hardly a measuring stick for Diaz.

Because for Manny, incremental improvement this year won’t be enough. He has one of the best QBs in college football leading his offense. He has personally taken ownership of a fledging defense that imploded last year in embarrassing fashion.

Diaz made this year the inflection point when he named himself Defensive Coordinator. He can’t very well come to us at the end of an unsuccessful season with D’Eriq King having played his final season at Miami and say, “my bad, I guess I needed an independent Defensive Coordinator.”

I don’t think anyone knows if that was the right move, but there was an inherit nobility in putting his neck on the line. Diaz put the responsibility on himself. There can be no scapegoat, no fall guy. He succeeds or fails on his own merit, absent any ability to apportion blame elsewhere. Manny Diaz broke with his predecessors by exhibiting bravery where others showcased venality, often putting personal gain and relationships above the program.

It might ultimately hasten his exit, but there is little doubt that in betting on himself, Manny has performed the ultimate Miami move, full of bravado and self-belief, he has decided that the best way to lead the program back to the top is to do so personally. It’s bold and decisive…and so we wait to see if that is a strength or a weakness in Diaz’s case.

Why Manny Matters

Ultimately, Diaz will be judged on his record as all coaches are. But in particular, for Miami, Diaz’s success extends beyond the field. Because in Manny Diaz the Hurricanes have more than just a son of a Miami, they have the embodiment of the person we want to lead this program. While Dabo Swinney, who has a $93 million contract, railed against the idea that some players might get some breadcrumbs, Manny took the opposite track. When social strife swept the country last summer, Manny was there, with his players.

In a sport where players are often treated as mere chattel, a means to an end, vessels to be used and disposed of, we should not take Diaz’s empathy for granted. Nor should we dismiss his frequent coaching changes as merely an attempt to save his skin. It’s actually easier to blame the players or keep an assistant coaching buffer between himself and responsibility. In fact, this is often portrayed as positive, when a coach does not fire assistants, standing firm with his people.

But do we ever consider that from the players’ perspective? They have 4 years to play college football. How is it positive to keep an unqualified, undeserving coach on the payroll and waste those players’ careers? It is positive through the lens of the old boys club, where there is a symbiotic relationship between the coaching fraternity and the coverage of it, that leads to stability, and financial gain at the expense of players.

Say what you will about Diaz, but no one will ever accuse me of being a member of that club. From inventing the Turnover Chain, to giving players multiple chances within reason, Diaz has exhibited that blend of sternness, empathy, and freedom that allows players to be themselves while also looking out for their well being.

In the grand scheme of things, none of that will matter. If Miami doesn’t win big soon, Diaz will be looking for a new job and Miami will get back on the coaching treadmill. But wouldn’t be nice if once, just this once, someone that displays empathy and cares actually succeeds? Wouldn’t it be nice if the good guys finish first? Would that it were.

Vishnu Parasuraman is a contributor for @FiveReasonsSports and generally covers the Miami Hurricanes. You can follow him on twitter @vrp2003

As usual, there’s little love for the Miami Heat

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Shortly after the release of next year’s NBA calendar, the wise guys at Caesars Sportsbook revealed their win totals for the 2021/2022 regular season, enticing degenerate gamblers and casual risk-takers alike to plunge into the muddied waters of sports betting.    

 

Upon review of Caesars’ predictions, it seems that these renowned fortune tellers have underestimated the Miami Heat.  The sportsbook slots the Heat winning 47.5 games out of 82, which gives Miami a winning percentage of .580.  Last year’s Heatles finished the regular season with 40 wins out of 72 (Covid, shortened season) and in sixth place in the east, with a .560 winning percentage.

 

Statistically, that is marginal improvement, although there are three teams ahead of the Heat in the east, according to the over/under.  The Milwaukee Bucks – the champs, and they bludgeoned Miami to get there, is appropriate.  The Brooklyn Nets – despite their star-studded triumvirate suiting up for 13 games, regular season and Playoffs included, is fair because of the talent advantage they have over most teams.  Yet too much respect is given to the Philadelphia 76ers as a top three squad in the east.  

 

It has not eluded my memory that Philadelphia was first in the conference during 2020/2021.  Every year they are touted as contenders when the reality is they are spoilers.  However, what should hold the most weight in the minds of invested spectators and depraved bettors is the health of Embiid.  When in peak-form, there are few in Embiid’s stratosphere on the court, yet those moments do not last an entire season.  Keep in mind that Philly’s center elected to rehab his torn right meniscus instead of getting surgery this offseason, per ESPN. 

 

Time will tell if Embiid made the right decision based on his ability to stay on the hardwood, and fingers crossed that he did.  Nonetheless, the Heat’s improvements did not generate enough regard, and they shouldn’t be four wins behind the habitual underachievers.    

 

The Heat’s semi-makeover this offseason brought back some familiar faces and filled leaking holes the team had at the point and the power forward position.  One of the first orders of business was retaining deadeye Duncan Robinson, keeping Dewayne Dedmon, the team’s best offensive rebounder, re-signing Victor Oladipo while he recovers from his quadricep injury and committing to Max Strus, a promising understudy.  

 

Then there are the new faces.  Kyle Lowry, even at 35 years old, is an All-Star caliber orchestrator and a champion. PJ Tucker is a versatile defender at 36 and one of the NBA’s premier threats from the corners.  No player has hit more corner triples than Tucker in the last five years, as Kirk Goldsberry of ESPN pointed out in March about the champion.  Next is Markieff Morris, another winner and multiskilled scorer for the reserves, most likely.  

 

Two of those three additions for the Heat will find themselves in the starting lineup.  Most probably Lowry and Tucker, and they would immediately improve Miami’s potency on the defensive end.  It’s difficult for opposing ball-handlers to lose Lowry without a screen on the perimeter, which eliminates the threat of a breakdown and slasher going downhill. Also, Lowry is very effective at playing safety close to the baseline, cutting off rim-runners by stepping in front of them for a charge.  

 

Unless Tucker is guarding with the league’s unicorns, it’s a challenge for anyone to muscle their way past him at the elbow or in the low post.  His swift hands and lateral quickness allow the possibility to use #17 in multiple defensive coverages.  

 

The Heat’s latest acquisitions are one of the keys to getting back to what they were during their time in the bubble.  Lowry, Tucker and Morris in the lineup should alleviate much of the pressure burdened on Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler’s shoulders during this past season.  It’s possible that last year, with the health of Miami’s favorite Dragon betraying him (Goran Dragic), that Adebayo and Butler had too much on their plate as the team’s most dependable scorers, distributors and defenders.

 

I can’t speak for others, but I’m taking the over on the Heat and expect them to finish as a 50+ win team.

 

*****

 

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Could DeVante Parker be the odd receiver out?

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On Tuesday August 24th, the Miami Dolphins announced they had waived WR Isaiah Ford, waived/injured WR Robert Foster and placed Lynn Bowden Jr. on injured reserve, ending his season.

 

The WR room currently consists of:

-Devante Parker

-Will Fuller

-Jaylen Waddle

-Albert Wilson

-Jakeem Grant

-Preston Williams

-Mack Hollins

-Kirk Merritt

-Malcolm Perry

-Khalil Mclain

-Kai Locksley

 

While the WR room and the roster as a whole is not set in stone yet as things may change throughout the week leading up to cutdown day.

 

I expect a move by the Dolphins to trade one of these  Wide Receivers off for compensation, here’s who:

 

Devante Parker

 

We all love Devante Parker, when he’s healthy, the team has slated him as the primary WR on the field. Since 2015 Parker has 298 receptions, 4212 yards, and 22 touchdowns; furthermore the bulk of them coming in 2019. 

 

However, Parker has shown an inability to stay healthy; his lone season was in 2019. Tua has shown he’s able to place the ball to Parker efficiently and is a weapon to be used. And yet, Parker has been in a red-no contact shirt at practice multiple times for fear of another injury. If the Dolphins fear of another injury to Parker what could it mean about his availability for next season?

 

The Dolphins have good depth in the WR room to not be reliant on Parker, so why keep him?

 

Miami could trade Parker for assets, especially for the offensive line if help is needed, as it appears it may be. There are several receiver-needy teams that could use Parker as a weapon on the outside, such as the Saints and the Lions. The Dolphins could reel in an pass protector or a mid round draft asset for Parker.

 

Also, Miami has a potential out after this year with Parker but it comes with a steep cap around $12 million. The Dolphins would be able to shave his salary off the books to potentially extend tight end Mike Gesicki or defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah.

 

Or maybe give Xavien Howard a new contract at the end of the season, after restructuring his deal to keep him happy for this camp.

 

The Dolphins have not been emotional in roster decisions. It has been all about business since the Chris Grier era.

 

Modern day offenses are changing before our eyes. Parker may be a great contested catch type of WR, but we know that is not Tua’s biggest strength. 

 

Instead, what Tua may need could be WR’s who can be contested catch guys, but win their battles separating from the defender and gaining yards after catch. After all, that is who they brought in with Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle.

 

There are several WR’s next season that can fill the DeVante Parker role next season in the draft. Some of these guys could be but not limited to: Zay Flowers (BC), Ty Fryfogle (Indiana), Jalen Tolbert (S. Alabama), Reggie Roberson Jr. (SMU) and Christian Watson (NDSU).

 

Not to mention, Preston Williams, Mack Hollins and Kirk Merrit could fill DeVante Parker’s spot on the roster and make him expendable.

 

This could happen between now and the trade deadline, or not at all. But if it does, don’t be stunned. 

 

Follow new Five Reasons Sports contributor @HussamPatel on Twitter. 

Goldie’s NFL Rundown: Who Wins the QB Battles?

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With the NFL season right around the corner, a handful of teams still haven’t decided on a week one starter at quarterback. The quarterback is the most integral member of the football team, so let’s take a look at who these teams should turn to at QB come week one:

 

Patriots: Cam Newton vs. Mac Jones

Throughout the first two weeks of preseason both the rookie and the vet have looked sharp. In the Patriots 35-0 win over the Eagles, Newton looked much more like Panthers Cam Newton than he did all of last season. Newton went 8-9 with 103 yards and a TD, but what impressed me most was his athleticism in the pocket. He showed good command of the offense and threw the ball accurately to receivers.  However, the rookie came in and had a very impressive showing in this game also. Jones threw for 146 yards on 13 completions on 19 attempts. His statline should’ve been stronger too had it not been for multiple drops by Pats receivers. Jones looked comfortable in an NFL setting, which is a great sign for Pats fans moving forward. That being said, I’d still give week one and the majority of this season to veteran leader Cam Newton. He’s had a year to learn the system, and he actually gets OTAs and a preseason this year to fine tune the offense before the regular season. I think the feeling in Foxborough should be that Cam is the guy for this season but Mac Jones is the Quarterback of the future. Let Newton mentor Jones for a season, let Jones develop for a year and see what Cam can do for another season. ‘

 

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49ers: Trey Lance vs. Jimmy Garrapolo

Of all the QB battles in this list, this one is the easiest decision in my opinion. The Niners should start Jimmy G and groom rookie Trey Lance for at least one season. One of the main reasons the Niners traded up and drafted Lance had a lot to do with the health of Garoppolo. When Jimmy G is healthy, the Niners have shown they are a very competitive football team. Many forget that Jimmy G led the Niners to a Super Bowl appearance just two seasons ago. The Niners led in the 4th quarter of that Super Bowl, so Jimmy G has already proven he can win with this team and this coaching staff. On the other side of the coin, Trey Lance hasn’t played football in over a year. His last season at North Dakota State was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Although it’s no secret Trey Lance has immense raw talent, the kid needs more reps to become truly NFL ready. The Niners should look to keep the starting job with Jimmy G until he gives them a reason to take it away from him. 

 

Bears: Justin Fields vs. Andy Dalton

The Bears surprised some people by moving up in the first round of the draft to get Quarterback Justin Fields, but I think this was the perfect move for Chicago. Their QB room has been a revolving door for years now. So they got aggressive and went out and got a hard working midwest kid that fits Chicago’s culture perfectly. Fields was a stud at Ohio State, and Bears fans are praying that his raw talent will translate to the pros.  So the question is do they start Fields immediately, or let him develop for a season under Andy Dalton? In most cases, I would side with letting the Rookie develop under the veteran QB, but this Bears situation is a little different. Andy Dalton is in the twilight of his career, and he hasn’t shown much through two preseason games that shows he really belongs as a starter in this league. We saw this last season in Dalton’s time with the Cowboys too. He was put at the helm of that loaded Cowboys offense and still couldn’t produce results. Another thing working in Fields’ favor is the showing that the Rookie put on in his first preseason game versus Miami. Fields’ stat line was very solid going 14/20 for 142 yards and a TD through the air to go along with 5 rushes for 33 yards and a TD on the ground. His playmaking ability was evident in this game, while Andy Dalton looked old and weary. Dalton’s time in this league is quickly coming to a close, while Fields is eager to prove he shouldn’t have fallen out of the top ten picks.  It seems that Fields already gives Chicago the best chance to win games right now. Not to mention the fans have already started calling for Fields to be the starter. Both football wise and brand wise Fields is the answer this season for Chicago. Start the kid week 1!

 

Broncos: Teddy Bridgewater vs. Drew Lock

Denver brought in veteran QTeddy Bridgewater to create some very real QB competition for Drew Lock. There’s also been many rumors floating around about a possible Aaron Rodgers trade. I don’t buy into those too much, as it seems Green Bay is sticking with Rodgers for this season at least. With the Rodgers rumors squashed, this makes for a very interesting competition in Denver. Especially interesting because Lock looked better in preseason week one, while Bridgewater looked better than Lock in week two. Both have shown they can play in this league, but neither have taken the step to the next level. With all of that considered, expect the job to be initially given to Lock. It simply comes down to one thing: potential. Lock is entering his third season in the NFL. A third season for a Quarterback is looked at by many as a “prove-it” year. That’s exactly what the Broncos and Drew Lock are looking at this season. In his first two seasons, Lock has shown flashes of greatness, but hasn’t been able to put it all together. By about 8-10 games into the season, the Broncos should know whether or not Lock is the guy. If Lock fails to meet expectations early in the season it will be clear for Denver that it’s time to move on from Lock. The Broncos drafted Drew Lock, they should see it through for one more season. However, adding proven veteran Teddy Bridgewater to the QB room definitely adds even more pressure to 3rd year QB Drew Lock. That pressure is very necessary though, expect Lock to have a very short leash with Denver this season. 

 

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Saints: Jameis Winston vs. Taysom Hill

If Winston didn’t already have the job, he definitely proved he deserved it in his showing Monday night versus the Jaguars. Jameis solidified his role as starter by throwing two beautiful bombs to Marquez Callaway for TDs in the first quarter of this contest. Then Taysom Hill came into the game and the Saints offense struggled to move the ball. However, this doesn’t mean Taysom won’t see the field this season. Saints coach Sean Payton should continue to spot Hill in certain situations like he’s done for the past few seasons. Hill does his best work when he can catch the defense off guard, but when Hill comes in as a traditional every down quarterback the defense can do more to prepare. Jameis Winston gets the starting job, but Hill is definitely still an important member of this Saints offense. 

Miami Dolphins

Fresh Perspective: Miami Dolphins depth best it’s been in years

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Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores has a very difficult job ahead of him.

It’s never a fun time when coaches have to break the hearts of players trying to make the cut for an NFL roster. Now that struggle will be magnified as there are so many players deserving of a roster spot. The Dolphins wide receiver corps, for instance, is the deepest it’s been in years. Nearly every player has managed to stand out in one way or another. Just going down the list, it’s easy to see the talent.

  • Will Fuller
  • DeVante Parker
  • Albert Wilson
  • Jaylen Waddle
  • Preston Williams
  • Jakeem Grant
  • Mack Hollins
  • Kirk Merritt

Consider that isn’t even the whole list. Lynn Bowden Jr. was placed on injured reserve during the team’s mandatory cut down on August 24. Even then, there are still more receivers who if/when released, teams will likely be eager to put in a claim for them. Even without those other players, that’s still eight different players that the Dolphins have to choose from to round out their WR corps. One could say that given the fragility of these players, it wouldn’t be hard to justify keeping seven receivers, maybe even all eight since Fuller won’t be available in Week 1 due to a suspension.

But even then, it perfectly illustrates the problem that the Miami Dolphins have on their hands. There’s too much talent. They can’t keep everyone.

However, this is the best kind of problem to have. Obviously having too much talent means that once the roster is finalized, the depth on the team will be the best it’s been in a very long time. That bodes well for when – not if – injuries start to plague the team. It inevitably happens to every team, and it will happen to the Dolphins too. Something may happen to DeVante Parker, so Preston Williams can step in.

If something happens to Preston Williams, then Mack Hollins can take over. He and Tua Tagovailoa have developed a very real rapport over the past few weeks in camp and in preseason.

If practice and preseason has shown anything, it’s that Tagovailoa is making it work regardless of who he throws the ball to.

That’s just one of many positions that are turning out to be much deeper than anyone could have dreamed. Let this be the real testament to what GM Chris Grier and head coach Brian Flores have accomplished since starting the rebuild in 2019.

Take a look at the secondary. By far, this is the strongest unit on the Miami Dolphins defense. Xavien Howard and Byron Jones are the stars of the show, with Eric Rowe acting as a tight end eliminating safety. After that? Things are surprisingly fluid. This doesn’t mean, however, that there are no defined roles. In fact, that in and of itself is the strength of the Dolphins defense. Who is doing what? It’s the opposition’s best guess.

Nik Needham returns, better than ever as an amazing reserve player. He developed from nothing into one of the fan favorite players with his sheer force of will. Good thing Brian Flores knew what he was looking at, because almost everyone wanted him gone back in 2019 after his pitiful preseason as a rookie. Brandon Jones is back a hard-hitting safety, and then they add veterans Justin Coleman – an excellent slot corner – and Jason McCourty, who can play corner and is now working as a safety as well.

That’s not even mentioning rookie Jevon Holland, who is already turning out to be a home run pick if early signs are any indication.

Now take a look at the linebacker corps. Obviously the headliner is Jerome Baker. But then take a look at his teammates. Andrew Van Ginkel came on strong last season and proved to be a playmaker as an edge rusher. He’s projected to starter. Then the Miami Dolphins traded Shaq Lawson to the Texans for veteran linebacker Benardrick McKinney. He’s already proving to be an excellent run stuffer that they sorely needed.

Speaking of run stuffers, last year’s starting LB Elandon Roberts is back, but now as a reserve player instead of a starter. Also, Sam Eguavoen – who started for the Dolphins back in 2019 – had himself a career game with four sacks in the preseason against the Falcons on August 21. He’s a backup and a core special teams player now.

Think about that for a moment. Players who were starting for the Dolphins not too long ago are now backups. And it’s not necessarily because they were demoted for lack of performance. Both Roberts and Eguavoen had their moments while starting in Miami. It’s just that the Dolphins found even more talent that eclipsed theirs. It doesn’t negate the already existing talent, it simply builds off it.

The roster’s depth keeps going deeper. On the defensive line, there are so many awesome players that some starters are having to practice with the second team just to make sure they get some snaps. Emmanuel Ogbah, Christian Wilkins, Adam Butler, Zach Sieler, Raekwon Davis, John Jenkins. That’s six defensive linemen that can rotate in and out almost seamlessly. Sieler, Butler and Wilkins can all line up as a defensive end when needed. Davis and Jenkins are built to stop the run up the middle. One of them needs a break? No problem, call on the others to take a few snaps.

That is the definition of depth.

Now to be fair, it’s not perfect at every position. There’s no star at running back, it’s a committee. They’re good, but not necessarily great. It remains to be seen what their ceiling is. At tight end there’s a significant drop off from Mike Gesicki to the likes of Adam Shaheen and Durham Smythe. Will Hunter Long eventually reach that point? The Miami Dolphins can only hope.

Finally, there’s the offensive line. The bane of GMs and coaches coming to Miami for the past decade and a half. Miami’s been trying to create depth there for a long time, while failing to make a stable starting five in the process. This year, the offensive line is struggling again. The hope is that Austin Jackson, Solomon Kindley, Michael Deiter, Robert Hunt and Liam Eichenberg all develop. It’s a bold strategy, and one can only hope it pays off for them.

The fact remains that overall, this is the deepest Dolphins roster in a very long time. Coming from New England, Brian Flores is well-acquainted with the next man up philosophy. That’s exactly what he brought to Miami. It’s easy to say, but not easy to execute. Some players are simply more talented than others. Fortunately, it looks like there’s enough talent so that if the worst happens, the Miami Dolphins will be ready to adapt.

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for seven years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

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Myles Gaskin

Myles Gaskin: Dolphins Weapon X in the Passing Game

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The Miami Dolphins have a ton of pass catching options on the current roster.

Perhaps too many.

However in today’s NFL, attrition and competition usually thin the herd. The Miami Dolphins offense now possesses newly energetic play calling and a quarterback trending towards high expectations. Some say a quarterback’s best friend is a solid running game. A solid running back who can move the chains through the air might be his best man.

That’s where Myles Gaskin comes in.

Myles Gaskin: Not just a check down guy

The first play on the clip above is a quick three-step drop from Tua Tagovailoa, who is going to Myles Gaskin right away. Then Gaskin quickly turns up the field and scampers untouched for a huge gain, looking effortless in the process.

On this next clip, the pocket breaks down around Tagovailoa, but there is no panic. He steps up and buys time, while Gaskin stacks the linebacker like a receiver would on a corner. One quick 90-degree move later, it’s a house call for Gaskin as he scores the touchdown.

Gaskin tied for the team lead with four receptions Saturday against Atlanta.

Last season while appearing in just 10 games, Gaskin caught 41 passes for 388 yards and two touchdowns.

With a more featured role this season, he should easily surpass those numbers.

A lot of people critiqued the Dolphins for not taking a running back high in the last two drafts. Maybe the organization simply feels they already have a true number one running back in Myles Gaskin, who can hurt teams on any down. It should be interesting to see the running back rotation and how their skill sets are used.

Like Liam Neeson, Myles Gaskin has a very unique set of skills.

Those skills should be put to the test often this upcoming season.

 

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Miami Heat Player Development: Fact or Fiction?

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Like the term “Heat Culture”, the Heat’s player development program is something used to justify decisions that the Miami front office has made since Pat Riley arrived in September of 1995. But is it actually as impactful as some may believe? 

As we weigh the prospects of players like Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, and Ömer Yurtseven being part of the rotation, should the Heat player development program be trusted? 

What does “player development” even mean? For this article, I am defining player development as a staff improving a player to a point they can contribute positively at the NBA level that was not evident prior to joining the team. To be fair, I will be filtering out certain types of players to avoid giving the Heat too much credit. 

First, there will not be any top ten draft picks on the list since their evaluated talent was already at a high level prior to coming to Miami. This eliminates some players such as Dwyane Wade, Caron Butler, Alonzo Mourning, Lamar Odom, and Justise Winslow. 

Second, there will not be any players who did not enter the Heat organization in their first four seasons in the league. This eliminates some players such as Chris Gatling, Damon Jones, James Jones, “Birdman” Andersen, James Johnson, Dion Waiters, Kelly Olynyk, and Wayne Ellington. 

Third, there will not be any players who had previously shown high level talent prior to coming to Miami. While I think Miami’s player development has “sharpened” the skills of great players, this eliminates some players such as LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Jimmy Butler, and Goran Dragic. 

And finally, any players without sustained success (minimum of five seasons in the league) will not be included. This eliminates some players such as Sasha Danilovic, Willie Reed, among many others who flashed talent in Miami but fizzled out of the league quickly.

Point Guards 

More so than any other position, the Miami Heat have been able to develop point guards at an extremely successful rate. The first of many examples was Anthony Carter (1999-2003). An undrafted player out of Hawaii, Carter went to the CBA before joining the Heat in 1999. Playing in place of an injured Tim Hardaway, he nearly averaged a double-double in the opening round sweep of the Pistons and later hit a memorable baseline floater to beat the Knicks in game 3 of the 2nd round series. Carter went on to a 13 year NBA career and currently is part of the Heat coaching staff. 

What would the “Big 3” have been without Rio? Drafted in the 2nd round in 2008, Mario Chalmers (2008-2016) immediately won the starting point guard job in Miami and eventually won two championships. The 34th pick spent eight of his ten seasons in Miami, starting 383 games and has 4th most assists in Heat history. 

The most recent example is Kendrick Nunn (2019-2021), who the Heat signed from the G-League after going undrafted out of college. Similar to Chalmers, Kendrick immediately took the starting point guard position in Miami. He started 67 games and was 2nd to Ja Morant in Rookie of the Year voting on a Heat team that went all the way to the NBA Finals. In his two seasons in Miami, Kendrick averaged 15 ppg on 48.5% shooting. 

The Heat have also developed reserve point guards at an exceptional rate. Eddie House (2000-2003), Mike James (2001-2003), Chris Quinn (2006-2009), Norris Cole (2011-2014), and Shabazz Napier (2014-2015) all started their careers in Miami as late 1st round, 2nd round, or undrafted players. 

Guards/Forwards 

While Miami boasts a strong track record for developing point guards, there is no question they have been a factory for developing shooters. The tradition began in Riley’s first season in Miami when Voshon Lenard was signed mid-season from the CBA. Lenard (1995-2000) spent the first five seasons of his eleven year career in Miami, starting 143 games, averaging 11 ppg, and has the eighth most threes in Heat history. 

Over the years, the Miami shooting coaches improved the shooting strokes of players like Bruce Bowen (1999-2001), the late Rasual Butler (2002-2005), and Jason Kapono (2005-2007). However, there is no better example of the Heat developing a shooter than Duncan Robinson. With 530 three point field goals in his first three NBA seasons,

Duncan is already 6th in Heat history and a scorching 42% from behind the arc. He recently became the highest paid undrafted player in NBA history with a 5 year, $90 million contract. 

The Heat have also been able to build their defensive identity by discovering unknown talent late in the draft or from players who were not even drafted. Bruce Bowen was a key piece of the Heat’s defense in the early 2000’s, but James Ennis (2014-2016), Tyler Johnson (2014-2019), Josh Richardson (2015-2019), Rodney McGruder (2016-2019), and Derrick Jones Jr. (2017-2020) have all been developed in the Heat’s defensive system and found lucrative paydays during their NBA careers. 

Bigs 

Miami has found undrafted success for championship teams with Joel Anthony (2007-2014), and current assistant coach Malik Allen (2001-2005), but there is no other way to highlight Miami’s development of post players than Udonis Haslem. After going undrafted in 2002 and spending a season in France, Udonis is entering his 19th season in Miami as the franchise’s all-time leading rebounder, second in games played, and part of every championship in the franchise’s history. Udonis has went from an unknown to eventually having his #40 hanging from the rafters. 

Ike Austin (1996-1998) found himself as one of the earliest success stories in Heat player development. After finding little success early in his career, Ike slimmed down in Miami and became the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 1997. His time in Miami was short as he was traded away in his 2nd season, and never was able to continue his success elsewhere. 

Similar to Austin, Hassan Whiteside was out of the league before joining the Heat and earning a $98 million contract. Whiteside (2014-2019) quickly developed into a nightly double-double threat and one of the best shot blockers in the league. After five seasons in Miami, he ranks as one of the franchise’s best rebounders and shot blockers. 

Although he was a lottery pick, many believed Bam Adebayo was drafted too high when Miami picked him 14th in 2017. Just a few years later, Bam is one of the best defensive players in the league and has become an All-Star and Olympic gold medalist. He is far from a finished product, but the early returns from his development could put him on a path to be the all-time best example of the Heat’s player development program.

The Verdict 

Over the past 26 years, there are few if any franchises who have consistently found “diamonds in the rough” like the Miami Heat. There is no question that their player development program is one of the best in the league and that is why agents of undrafted players seek out opportunities for their clients to join the Heat. There are also examples of failures along the way, but that is the case for every franchise and those examples are far less significant than the success stories. So when assessing the future growth of current players like Ömer Yurtseven, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, Tyler Herro, KZ Okpala, and potentially others, you can see the historical path of players who were relatively unknown and unproven, given the chance to shine in the Miami system, and flourished. The beauty of the Miami Heat is that the current pipeline is being manned by coaches who were once products of this system, and led by Erik Spoelstra who himself grew from the film room to head coach.

The Miami Heat’s Defense is Going to Be Special

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So much was made last season about how Miami somehow ended up having a top 10 defense despite starting only two “plus defenders” for most of the season. It felt like an uphill battle throughout the year despite the defense being considered “solid.” The uphill climb was felt more internally throughout each game by Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler. Both guys would need to cover for many of their teammates who were either weak or downright bad defenders.

You could feel how much energy they were exerting trying to keep certain lineups afloat. Not to mention what they also had to do on offense. These factors are why the midseason addition of Trevor Ariza felt like such a significant boost to the team. It was one more defender Spoelstra could put out there with their stars without having to worry. And this was a slightly over-the-hill Ariza we’re talking about — imagine if you added even better defenders multiplied by 2. That’s what the Miami Heat have done this offseason.

The additions of PJ Tucker and Kyle Lowry will allow Miami to become the best defensive versions of themselves. I believe that performance will be good enough to be no lower than a top 4 defense this season. I feel like it’s gone under the radar just how great and downright menacing the Heat’s defense will be. They managed to forage a top 10 defense last year with way less ammunition than the current roster. Imagine the possibilities now that the weakest defender on the starting lineup will be Duncan Robinson, whose defense isn’t that bad now!

With the new acquisitions, some losses may have been difficult but necessary for this season’s team to be its best. No longer will Kendrick Nunn or Goran Dragic have to defend the point of attack for the team. That also means that Jimmy Butler won’t have to defend the opposition’s primary ball-handler for the nights they’re desperate. This trickle-down effect will also be significant for saving Jimmy’s legs late in the season and into the playoffs. Jimmy will be able to play that terrifying free safety role he was so good in last season. Miami’s defense will see drastic improvements when Butler can roam more and disrupt the opposition’s sets.

For Bam Adebayo, it’ll mean more time in the paint and less time cleaning up after his guards’ mistakes on the perimeter. Not to say that Bam can’t handle his own beyond the arc, but it’ll boost the team’s ability to deter teams from getting to the rim even more. Adebayo will be utilized more as a rim deterrent and terrifying help defender that can switch as the shot clock winds down. With Lowry at the helm of the point of attack, they’ll be even more versatile in the ways they’ll deploy Bam.

You’ll see plenty of different coverages mixed throughout the year. They might have Adebayo not stuck outright switching but more coming to the level of the screen. Lowry is so good at navigating, and fighting over screens that will create a terrorizing pick-and-roll defense with Bam — alongside Jimmy Butler on the wings waiting to pounce. Bam was already in the Defensive Player of the Year discussion, but Lowry will show off another terrifying side of Adebayo. It’ll be a breath of fresh air to not have Bam cover for the entire roster at times.

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Teams will try hunting Duncan Robinson as their last resort, forced to become an isolation team. Miami will gladly take that; they’ll have more than enough bodies to cover up for him. And good luck getting those Miami players to give in to that switch that easily. They will make you earn that switch and force the shot clock down to its last second. And, as I said earlier, Robinson has made great strides in his defense that won’t make that the worst outcome.

Miami doesn’t have to wait for their defender to arrive for the Power Forward position midway into the season. This time they went out and grabbed PJ Tucker to keep that spot in check. All the things Ariza helped give you last season, Tucker will do that while being able to guard up. Not to forget how much Tucker and Lowry will improve the rebounding numbers from last season. PJ was a maniac on the boards during the playoffs for the Bucks. Teams would try hiding their weakest defensive player on him, and he’d punish teams by crashing the glass and getting extra possessions for Milwaukee.

Lowry himself has been an excellent rebounder for a point guard averaging five boards over the past six seasons. He uses his base better than any other point guard and boxes guys out to the half-court line. Miami had tons of problems finishing off possessions last year as they constantly got outshot throughout the season. It will help drastically to have these two on the floor to clean up the glass. Not to mention an entire season of Dewayne Dedmon and his insane OREB% to help out.

Add to this the possibility of having Victor Oladipo ready by December, and it’ll raise the defensive powers to insane levels. Gabe Vincent will do an admirable job in his absence from the bench, but Victor will be on another level. Good luck trying to score on a Lowry-Oladipo-Butler-Tucker-Adebayo closing lineup.

Erik Spoelstra has done more with lesser rosters, and now he’s been given his best defensive starting lineup since the Big 3. The man wrung out a top 10 defense from a starting lineup that included Carlos Arroyo, Michael Beasley, and whatever remained of Jermaine O’Neal. Spoelstra has coached a top 10 defense for all but 5 of his tenure in Miami. And 3 of those seasons, his teams finished just outside at 11th, two of which made the Finals. He’ll get the most out of this new potent lineup, to say the least.

Everything we saw that was so hard for Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler last season will become much more manageable. The weight put on their backs will be lighter and make for a really fun defense to watch. This team will annoy the living hell out of teams like a child who refuses to stop kicking your seat on a plane. They’ll make you feel them and have you working overtime for your money like a terrible boss. Miami went all-in on defense this offseason, and everyone should be glad they did. This team might rival the 2013 defense in how much fun they’ll be to watch on that end. Who said defense couldn’t be fun?

 

 

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