Miami Heat players and their Game of Thrones counterparts

One of the most appealing aspects of Game of Thrones is the rich, elaborate characters established over the course of six seasons (and counting). Who is the Game of Thrones character living inside your favorite Miami Heat player?

HBO’s Game of Thrones started their seventh season Sunday night with yet another hour of twists and turns as one of the most compelling and popular television shows stakes claim to your Sunday nights for the next two months.

The characters on the show have taken on a life of their own far outside of the mind of George R.R. Martin and everyone has one or two they can personally relate to but where would some of your favorite Miami Heat players land in Westeros?

Goran Dragic: Daenerys Targaryen

The dragon connection is very obvious here, but if there was a point guard of Game of Thrones, it would be Daenerys.

She’s spent the last six seasons fighting her way through this dark, twisted game all to one day find herself on the Iron Throne. The Mother of Dragons is crafty, she’s always three steps ahead of everyone else and when she finds herself in a bind, she often finds a way out of it much like a great point guard.

Both also possess very difficult names to pronounce.

Udonis Haslem: Sandor Clegane (The Hound)

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Once great warriors, the parallels between the Heat legend and The Hound are plentiful. While their best days may be behind them, there is no doubt that their importance has never diminished.

Through his travels, The Hound gained a wisdom that he is now imparting on those younger than him as they move through the game. Haslem has been known to take young players under his wing to show them the path to glory that led him to three championships and a lengthy career in the NBA.

Both have become leaders by example in their elderly state but never doubt that when they’re called upon, they will deliver.

(No word on whether or not Haslem is afraid of fire.)

James Johnson: Gregor Clegane (The Mountain)

After a brutal battle with Oberyn Martell, Gregor Clegane (affectionately known as The Mountain) needed to be rebuilt. In a Frankenstein-like sequence, The Mountain was reinvented by Qyburn at King’s Landing into a lean, mean killing machine.

While far less gory, James Johnson’s drastic transformation during his short time in Miami has been very Mountain-like. There is no doubt that Johnson is now the picture of toughness for the Heat and is moving into the role of enforcer, although not to the extent of Queen Cersei’s right hand man.

The Mountain crushes skulls, James Johnson crushes MVPs.

Dion Waiters: Jamie Lannister

Time and time again, Jamie Lannister bet on himself. He did it when he was taken prisoner by Catelyn Stark and again when he forced himself to learn how to fight left-handed after losing his other hand to regain his royal standing.

Lannister went from royalty to the pits of the Game of Thrones world in a hurry. Everyone counted him out, left him for dead and he found his way back to glory through a serious belief in himself. All of this, of course, also accurately describes Dion Waiters.

While Waiters wasn’t exactly left for dead, many in the NBA discarded the former lottery pick as an afterthought when LeBron James returned to Cleveland. Now, in Miami, Waiters has returned to glory and cashed in to the tune of $52 million.

Plus, The King Slayer? Say no more.

Also applicable: Wayne Ellington, entirely due to his “Man with the Golden Arm” nickname. Jamie knows a thing or two about golden arms.

Hassan Whiteside: Tormund

Your favorite wildling, Tormund was once a direct threat to the survival of the men of the Night’s Watch, leading a band of murderous free folk beyond the wall. Now, he’s been shown the light of civility and together with Jon Snow will lead the men into battle against The Night King.

Although Tormund is a killing machine with a weapon in his hand, he’s always good for a joke or a light-hearted moment when he isn’t brutally hacking away at what stands in front of him.

The Heat’s big man owns the best Snapchat in the game and isn’t afraid to show it, but get in between him and the basket and you’ll find yourself in a world of pain.

Much like Tormund, however, Whiteside also had some personal growth to do before he could get to that point.

Erik Spoelstra: Jon Snow

There had to be a Jon.

Not only did both emerge from rather obscurity (Spoelstra from the video room, Snow as the outcast Stark child), but also Spoelstra and the current King of the North share a few broad qualities as well, most notably their keen ability to foreshadow various obstacles.

Snow was among the first to understand that the real war wasn’t amongst themselves but rather the coming Night King and his massive army of the undead.

Spoelstra has always prided himself on being at the forefront of the coaching game, and you could argue that he brought the “pace and space” theory into popularity with his LeBron-era championship teams.

Plus, it’s easy to root for Spoelstra just like its easy to root for Snow, and you wish everyone else would get on board and buy what they’re selling.

Pat Riley: Cersei Lannister

The fearless (and sometimes fearful) leader that you need. They’re ruthless, but you need that to survive. Riley and Cersei demand a level of respect because they’ve been around the game longer than most and seen the evolution take place.

As the leader, you’re also never immune from criticism. Whether that’s being locked up and forced to pay for your sins or dealing with bad press after missing out on another free agent, being the leader can be tough but that’s part of the job.

Both have gotten to where they are by always making the smart move even if it sometimes gets messy and launches them into unpopularity for a time.

And of course, if things aren’t working they’re never afraid to….blow it up.

Next: LeBron James gets sentimental about Miami

The Heat may be entering the season merely a playoff hopeful–while the Warriors of Golden State and Cavaliers of Cleveland seem destined for yet another clash in the finals–but the NBA is a long game. Unlike Game of Thrones, you can have a new winner every season.

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Heat players and coaches as their Game of Thrones counterparts

By Rob Slater | Jul 18, 2017