As we enter the season’s final stretch, the Miami Heat are 29-39 and have slipped to 10th in the East after an eight-game losing streak. Although they are essentially locked into the play-in tournament, bowing out early and entering the NBA draft lottery is a distinct possibility. Maybe even a probability.
But that doesn’t mean the Heat don’t have anything to play for or, more specifically, that Miami’s players don’t have anything to prove. There might not be time for the Heat to turn their season around, but there is still time for individual players to show progress. Here’s what we would like to see.
Bam Adebayo: Be – and stay – aggressive
It’s been a grueling season for Adebayo, who has seen Jimmy Butler demand a trade, get traded, new teammates enter the locker room, a mid-season position change, an eight-game losing streak and multiple rivals surpass the Heat in the standings.
All the while, Adebayo has been Miami’s rock. When things go wrong in Miami, the bleep-pile tends to end up at Adebayo’s feet. Roster too small? Play center. Star player isn’t available? Be our star player. Organization dealing with drama? Answer these questions.
Adebayo doesn’t complain. He clocks in, does the work, and that’s admirable. I say all of that to preface this statement: The Heat still need more. Adebayo might not ever be the top scorer on a championship team, but he also can’t be the player who gets out-played by Ivica Zubac or turns in a dud against Karl-Anthony Towns, as he did this past week.
There was a six-game stretch at the beginning of March when Bam was averaging 26.2 points on nearly 55% shooting while taking 17.3 field goal attempts per game. This guy:
The Heat need him to be closer to that than the player who has totaled just 45 points over the last four games.
Maybe the grind of the season has finally caught up to him. But ending the season on a high note could help the Heat see the vision of what comes next, and how much help Adebayo needs.
Tyler Herro: Find his shooting stroke
This season has been a complete success for Herro, who made his first All-Star team and emerged as the Heat’s most reliable scorer after overhauling his shot chart. Most gone are the mid-range shots, replaced by oodles of 3s and shots at the rim. He’s even getting to the foul line more. Herro entered the season wanting to remake Steph Curry’s shot chart. Mission accomplished.
But his efficiency numbers have dipped over the past few weeks. He’s gone from shooting 40% on 3s to 37% for the season. It could just be fatigue. Only six players have played more minutes than Herro this season. He’s on pace to play 500 more minutes this season than his previous season high and 1,400 more minutes than last season. That’s the other side of finally staying healthy.
It also marks the next step for Herro. His conditioning needs to improve to something closer to Steph’s level. Watch Steph play, and he never stops moving. He does it all season, and often for multiple playoff rounds. He’s one of the best-conditioned athletes we’ve ever seen. Herro has taken a step toward being the South Beach Splash Brother, but he’s not there yet.
Andrew Wiggins: Pop off
When the Heat acquired Wiggins in the Jimmy Butler deal, nobody expected him to step in and be as productive as Butler. That said, it would be nice to see Wiggins tap into the scoring talent that once made him a 20-point-per-game scorer.
In 11 games, he’s scored more than 20 points six times and 15 or less four times. That’s not bad. He’s also averaging more points (18.3) than he did for the Warriors this season (17.6).
But it’s also never felt like he’s taken over. Wiggins is a talented player – arguably one of Miami’s most talented players. The Heat could benefit from seeing him explore more of what he can do as an on-ball scorer.
Duncan Robinson: More playmaking
Robinson had a case for last season’s most improved player in part because of his development as a finisher and passer. As opponents began running him off the line, he found ways to be productive.
Robinson’s assists are slightly down this season and, without a true point guard in the starting lineup (now that Erik Spoelstra seems to have gone back to the Herro-Robinson backcourt), the Heat would be served by Robinson getting back to some playmaking. Turning DHOs with Adebayo into pick-and-rolls. Getting Herro off the ball more. All of it would help.
Kel’el Ware: Block some shots!
For a guy who was billed as a shot-blocker, Ware doesn’t block a ton of shots. He’s averaging 1 block per game and he often leaves low-hanging fruit unplucked.
Ware is late on the rotation and then just sorta stands there as Towns blows by him for an easy layup. Maybe he doesn’t block the shot, but it would be nice if he tried. Ware is a rookie, and he’s raw. He also seems to have hit the rookie wall, which is OK. But it’s important that he capitalizes on these chances to impact the game.
Terry Rozier: Some shots falling
It’s no secret that it’s been a rough season for Rozier. His numbers have slipped to career lows and he grades out as one of the worst high-minute players in the NBA. A strong close to the season wouldn’t wash away the impact of those struggles, but it might make the organization feel a tad better about a player who is on the books for $26.6 million next season.
Davion Mitchell: Keep playing great defense
The Heat have been searching for an elite point-of-attack defender for a while, and they seem to have found one in Mitchell. His 3-point shot comes and goes, but his playmaking is a tad underrated and his intensity never burns out. He seems like a Heat guy and wants to stay here. He’s a restricted free agent this summer, so the Heat still have a decision to make. If Mitchell keeps playing well, he could make that decision easier.
Jaime Jaquez Jr.: Take advantage
As Spoelstra has experimented with his starting lineups, Jaquez has started in two of Miami’s last three games. After a down sophomore season, he has a chance to end on a positive note.
Jaquez is averaging 10.7 points on 43% shooting, 7 rebounds and 4.3 assists over these last three games. Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but they are better than his season averages.
Haywood Highsmith: Let it fly
Highsmith is an elite perimeter defender but a limited offensive player. Not the kind of guy you want dribbling multiple times per possession, and defenses can sometimes leave him open despite the fact that he’s shooting 39% on 3s. Despite playing more minutes this season, Highsmith’s 3-point attempt rate has remained flat. When the ball comes to him, Highsmith should let it fly. Sure, his stroke is a bit slow and maybe there are better offensive players on the court, but the Heat can’t afford to pass up decent looks when they get them.
Kyle Anderson: Do your thing
Anderson is nicknamed “Slow Mo” for a reason and he’s a one-of-a-kind player with a knack for filling gaps. Keep doing you, Slow Mo.