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What each Miami Heat starter has to prove

By Simon Smith

Apr 17, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (L) talks to Heat guard Josh Richardson (R) during the second half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Charlotte Hornets at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 123-91. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (L) talks to Heat guard Josh Richardson (R) during the second half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Charlotte Hornets at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 123-91. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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This season the Miami Heat will feature three new regular starters. Here we take a look at what each starter has to prove.

Mar 17, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (tight) talks with Heat center Hassan Whiteside (left) during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

To say that it will be a new-look Miami Heat outfit this season would be an understatement. The Heat have not only lost starters, they have lost some all-time players. All-stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh alone have combined for 23 all-star appearances on top of their two NBA championships. They depart along with forwards Luol Deng and Joe Johnson. Whilst Johnson played just a part of last season and is past his prime, he departs with seven all-star appearances under his belt. The loss of these players represents an unprecedented amount of experience walking out the door simultaneously.

The upshot is that Miami will feature three new starters for the 2016-17 season.

  • Despite a pre-season injury, last season’s rookie surprise Josh Richardson is highly favoured to replace Wade as the starting shooting guard.
  • Justise Winslow in his second season will be entrenched at small forward for years to come.
  • Incumbent point guard Goran Dragic will be in charge of the offence.
  • Center Hassan Whiteside will be the man in the middle.
  • The final starting spot is likely to be decided throughout the pre-season. New addition Luke Babbitt started alongside Winslow at the vacant 4 spot. Babbitt demonstrated why is valued by the Heat, hitting 4-of-5 from the three point range in his Heat debut. However whilst a stretch-4 is certainly an appealing option, Babbitt’s defence and overall size and physicality are factors that are still to be determined.
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