After clinching the third seed in the Eastern Conference, despite losing their last game of the season to the Boston Celtics, the Miami Heat are gearing up for another run at the postseason. And after missing the chance to do so last year, Heat Nation is certainly ready to see what their team is now made of.
Recently, Miami has a lot of people talking. After a disastrous 2014-15 season, and losing Chris Bosh at the All-Star break for the second year in a row, many were not sure how they would fair. But to say they have done quite well for themselves, would be an understatement.
On Thursday, I had the chance to ask ESPN NBA analyst Jalen Rose a few questions about the upcoming playoffs. And I was not the only one inquiring about the Heat.
The question of how Miami would do against the Cleveland Cavaliers was brought up, specifically regarding what type of a threat the Heat would be against the Cavaliers if they both make it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
"“So besides the obvious Golden State and the Spurs, the individual intriguing series that I’m looking forward to will be that one,” Rose replied. “…The great thing that’s going to have to happen for the Cavs to advance is there’s going to have to be a hatred, there’s going to have to be a dislike that LeBron is going to need to carry versus that former jersey that he hasn’t and against his brother Dwyane Wade and against his team that he won two championships with, and vice versa. I’m really fascinated to see how that’s going to play out…”"
I personally had Goran Dragic on my mind, particularly whether or not Rose thought he was a good fit in this current Miami system.
"I do, because he’s a smart basketball player, a crafty lefty, can finish in the paint, finish at the hoop, make mid‑range shots and even make threes when he gets going. He can be a really effective offensive player and he’s a willing passer, but he was playing different in Phoenix where they play four on one, sometimes five guys surrounding the three‑point line, whereas Miami plays more traditional, more conventional. Wade is not a three‑point shooter, Deng can shoot but he’s a driver. Winslow is not a three‑point shooter. They’re one of the worst three‑point shooting teams in the entire league. That in itself suppresses the floor, based on what he was used to playing and seeing as a point guard. But now I like the way they’re using him in side pick‑and‑roll situations where he has a lob dribble to get to the paint or do a lob to Whiteside, and also using his side pick‑and‑roll so he can drive the middle with his left hand… I do think he’s effective enough to help them get to the Eastern Conference Finals this year.”"
Rose also got to touch upon the idea of Hassan Whiteside being a max player.
"“… a lot of players are going to command top dollar with the cap rising, so I would not be surprised if he got a maximum deal, but it probably wouldn’t be for maximum years….if you can lead the league in blocks and get double‑figure rebounds (and I’ve seen him shoot a left‑handed hook and I’ve seen him shoot a right‑handed hook)… he’s going to command that type of money based on the way he’s playing and his size. “"
And when I asked what, if anything, was still missing from the current roster, said that things may look different if Bosh was healthy.
"“Well, that’s what’s so unfortunate about Bosh being out, because if they had Bosh, I would flip a coin in Game 7 to say who would win between them and the Cavs.”"
The 2016 NBA Playoffs are beginning on Saturday, April 16 with five televised games. However, Miami’s first matchup with the Charlotte Hornets will not take place until Sunday, April 17, at 5:30 PM ET.