Miami Heat: Preaching “team work makes the dream work”

The Miami Heat may have lost their superstars this offseason, but they gained something new in 2016-17: an appreciation for the fundamentals of team work.

For some time now, the Miami Heat have been known for their star power. From the Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade duo era, to Wade becoming the face of the franchise, to LeBron and Chris Bosh joining him, back to Wade essentially carrying the team on his back… the organization has been headlined by big names.

That is, until now.

Sure, Hassan Whiteside is a monster. And him re-signing to the Heat this summer is not to be over looked. And then there is Goran Dragic, a veteran who has certainly earned respect around the league. Plus newly paid Tyler Johnson and fingers crossed up-and-coming Justise Winslow.

But Miami no longer really has a headliner to base itself off of. So in 2016-17, it is all about team work.

And so far, they seem to be adapting to that.

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Yes, they are 2-2. Technically eighth in the Eastern Conference (but really fourth because four teams are tied for second). However it is much less about wins and losses at this point. Not just because it is too early to make any sweeping generalizations. But because what matters at the beginning of a new era is building team chemistry.

Things like that in their season opener, the Heat had six players in double digits. And that everyone but the injured Josh Richardson, Josh McRoberts and Wayne Ellington (plus Derrick Williams, for reasons unknown), has had a turn on the floor.

Even moves such as drawing up clutch plays for Dion Waiters, which seemingly have infuriated most of Heat Nation, should be applauded. Because things like that prove trust amongst the team. A team that no longer has a go-to guy. A team that needs to rely on one another now, more than ever before.

"“That’s the beauty of this sport — you never know who is going to take the shot,” explained Dragic. “Some nights Dion is going to have the best matchups or me or Tyler. Dion had a good look [at the end of regulation], he missed it, but we encourage him to keep shooting because we need him to be aggressive and to make plays. Because then it’s so much easier for me, for Tyler, for Hassan [Whiteside]. His ability to break down guys and get inside the paint, he can make a lot of plays.”"

(Well, that is the beauty of the sport when you are on a team without a key role player, anyways.)

Figuring out this new experiment may not always be pretty. In fact, it is bound to produce quite a few messy moments. But it is the hand the team has been dealt. And there seem to be no real complaints about it, thus far.

Because after all, team work makes the dream work.