5 Free Agents to “Replace” Dwyane Wade
By Ehsan Kassim
May 26, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and guard J.R. Smith (5) celebrate on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
J.R. Smith in South Beach? Well this could be a fun scenario. Smith is having a major renaissance this playoffs, playing alongside LeBron James in Cleveland. His instant scoring from the three-point arc is always something desired in the NBA, especially in an offense such as Miami’s.
However, he’s never fit the mold as a Pat Riley kind of player. His focus has constantly been scrutinized, as has his defense. Those two things are very important to the Heat president and coach Eric Spolestra.
We’ve seen coach Spo bench players, like a Michael Beasley, for lack of focus and not enough effort on defense. This something that would be an explosion waiting to happen in Miami with Smith’s past.
While J.R. Smith could certainly provide the Heat with the scoring they lack if Wade were to leave Miami, he is a headcase and someone I personally have no interest in seeing in a Heat uniform.
Smith, unlike the players mentioned above, is not a good fit for Miami to replace Wade. Not a good fit at all.