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Which Miami Heat shooting guard fits best alongside Goran Dragic?

By Richard Nurse

May 3, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) is greeted by team mates Justise Winslow (20), Luol Deng (9) and Josh Richardson (0) after hitting a three point shot plus a foul call against Toronto Raptors in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) is greeted by team mates Justise Winslow (20), Luol Deng (9) and Josh Richardson (0) after hitting a three point shot plus a foul call against Toronto Raptors in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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With so many guards on the roster, the Miami Heat have a choice to make.

One look at the Miami Heat roster and a fan will see a plethora of options at almost every position. Yet, barring injury, there are not a lot of starting lineup questions.

Hassan Whiteside is locked in at center, Justise Winslow inherited the small forward spot and Chris Bosh will be slotted at power forward (if he’s cleared).

Goran Dragic is the designated point guard. But which shooting guard is best suited to be his sidekick?

It’s no secret that Dragic’s production dipped over the last two seasons. However, that can be attributed to the three point guard rotation in Phoenix and a ball-dominant Dwyane Wade in Miami.

In other words, in order for Dragic to thrive, he needs to handle the ball. He needs to initiate the offense while his backcourt mate thrives without the ball, either as a cutter or floor spacer.

So which Heat guard best fits the mold?

Wayne Ellington’s 38 percent career three-point shooting average brings spacing to the starting five. However, his one-dimensional style is one that coach Erik Spoelstra tends to shy away from. Just ask James Jones.

It seems Tyler Johnson is out, given that he revealed “all the drills we’re doing this year are kind of skewed toward being a point guard.”

That leaves Dion Waiters and Josh Richardson.

Waiters is a proven–however inconsistent–scorer, averaging 13 points per game. He can space the floor, shooting an equal percentage to Ellington from behind the three-point line during the 2016 NBA playoffs. The only issue is that he, like Wade, needs the basketball in his hands to be successful.

Definitely not a style of play that is conducive to Dragic. Waiters is better suited for the freedom that comes with being a sixth man.

On the other hand, Josh Richardson can do a little bit of everything that Dragic needs as a complementary backcourt partner.

Don’t let his 6.6 points per game fool you, the rookie put up 10 points per game once he started to get regular rotation minutes. As a 46 percent three point shooter, he also gives the Heat a three-point threat.

Richardson’s defense in particular makes him a great fit alongside Dragic. He can take on the tougher defensive assignment in the backcourt and allow Dragic the freedom to focus on running the offense.

With Wade out of the picture, the next era of the Miami Heat shooting guard is about to begin. Josh Richardson is the man to take the keys.

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