Grading the Miami Heat a quarter through the season

With a quarter of the season now complete, here’s a look at how each Miami Heat player has fared thus far.

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Goran Dragic

Season numbers: 17.8 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, 6.7 assists per game,44.3 field goal percentage, 42.1 three-point percentage, 33.4 minutes per game, 16 games played.

Dragic has been a picture of consistency throughout a trying early start to the season for the Miami Heat. Aside from the game against the Chicago Bulls when he left the injured, and the overall team debacle on the road in Detroit, Dragic has scored in double figures each game. With the spate of injuries that has taken over the team recently, Dragic has raised his game a notch. Over the past five games he has posted 23.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game.

Dragic’s value to the team is almost as noticeable when he is resting during the course of the game. Without a bonafide backup point guard to direct the team, the Heat’s offence can look out of sorts when he is sitting. Dragic’s recent stretch of excellent form has come without a high usage guard in Dion Waiters alongside him. Much like the presence Dwayne Wade used to present, Dragic does seem to flourish when he has the opportunity to be the dominant ball handler.

Like the year he was named to the All-NBA third team, Dragic has demonstrated that his current level of play is sustainable for the duration of the season.

Grade: A-