Nov 12, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) is pressured by Indiana Pacers forward Solomon Hill (44) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Pacers won 81-75. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Wade is thankful for the post. He’s thriving in his new role replacing LeBron as the initiator from the post, averaging 19.8 points and 6.4 assists per game. He’s averaging 3.9 “close” touches per game (which NBA.com defines as within 12 feet of the basket and doesn’t count drives), the most of any perimeter player, per NBA.com/Stats.
He’s also mastered some post moves. He starts a ton of possessions backing down his defender, feeling where the pressure is and spinning away from it to finish at the rim. Nearly half of his shots (45.2 percent) come from near the rim and he’s converting on 66.1 percent of those shots–more than 10 percent better than the rest of the league.
Shawne Williams
Shawne Williams is thankful for corner 3’s. He’s hit 16-of-31 (51.6 percent) from the corners this season and is also 18-of-36 (50 percent) above the break. He’s shot at least four 3-pointers in 11 of Miami’s 15 games and has made at least one of them in 14-straight.
In Josh McRoberts’ place in the starting lineup, Williams is thriving as a floor spacer and has been incredibly valuable to the Heat. Between Williams and the team ball movement, I’m not sure which is more grateful for the other.