Christmas is here, so now is the time for Santa Claus to deliver some holiday cheer to the nice boys of the Miami Heat. He’s making a list and checking it twice, so let’s see what every Heat player is asking for.
Luol Deng
Now that he’s playing power forward more than 50 percent of the time, according to basketball-reference.com, Luol Deng is asking Santa
Chris Bosh
All Chris Bosh wants is for Hassan Whiteside to get it together and play with consistency. It’s no secret that Bosh playing the 5 during the Big Three era wore him down and, now with the 7-foot-1 Whiteside involved, Bosh is able to slide over to his more natural power forward position. As long as Whiteside keeps it together, that is. Erik Spoelstra recently asked Whiteside to step out and defend the 3-point line, which should allow the Heat to play Whiteside even when opposing teams go small and make things easier on Bosh.
Chris Andersen
All Chris Andersen wants for Christmas is for the trade deadline to pass, and for him to still be on the Heat. At this point in his career, Birdman isn’t making any significant contributions. However, Miami may try to move him in order to avoid paying his salary and luxury tax hit. But Miami is the best place for Bird, and he doesn’t want to leave.
Nov 12, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Josh McRoberts (left) reacts next to Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (right) during the second half against the Utah Jazz at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 92-91. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Josh McRoberts
Josh McRoberts is just wishing to be healthy. Since signing with the Heat, McRoberts has missed 72 of 109 games. Toe, back, knee, it all hurts. If the Heat can’t rely on him to stay healthy, they could be asking Kris Kringle to take that contract off their hands.
Beno Udrih
Beno got what he wanted for Christmas already. After the Mario Chalmers trade, Udrih joined a competitive team and is getting the spot playing time he deserves.
Udonis Haslem
Haslem has no wants or needs. He simply exists to rally the troops, grab rebounds and hit the occasional mid-range jumper. However, if he were to want something, it would probably be to have a vintage Haslem game in which he scored 12 points and grabs 10 rebounds.
Jarnell Stokes
Playing time. But he’s been naughty, so it’s not gonna happen.
Tyler Johnson
Other than a tube of Proactive, Tyler Johnson is asking Santa for a new contract. The young buck has out-played his $845 thousand deal and is up for an extension after the season. He’s done enough already this season to earn a new deal with the Heat and, unless something extremely exciting and game changing happens in free agency, he will.
Dec 20, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside, #21, reacts to being called for a foul during Sunday
Hassan Whiteside
For Christmas and for the rest of the year, Whiteside wants the scorers table to give him credit for every rebound and block that is recorded in every game. Even when he’s on the bench. Oh, and he wants to be in another DJ Khaled video.
Justise Winslow
Winslow wants one of his shots to go in.
Goran Dragic
His two front teeth.
Sorry… low-hanging fruit.
Nov 25, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) looks to the referee after getting knocked to the court during the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons defeated the Heat 104-01. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports
Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Wade wouldn’t jinx it by asking for it, but secretly he just wants his knees to hold up. He’s missed just one game all season, and he’s averaging 18.5 points per game and looking spry.
Gerald Green
Gerald Green wants people to give him credit for his defense. And he wants to start over Luol Deng. I don’t know these things for a fact, but one could assume them to be true.
Josh Richardson
To never ever be paired with anyone other than Wade or Dragic in the backcourt because he has no idea what the F he’s doing when he’s running the point.
Amar’e Stoudemire
He’s Jewish.
Merry Christmas, Heat fam!