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Miami Heat: 4 takeaways from the team’s first preseason game

By Allana Tachauer

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 1: Josh Richardson
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 1: Josh Richardson /
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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 1: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat reacts during the preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks on October 1, 2017 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 1: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat reacts during the preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks on October 1, 2017 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Team’s Depth Is Impressive

Miami doesn’t have everything figured out.

However, one thing they’ve nailed is depth. Which goes hand-in-hand with the team ball they play.

This ball-club hardly has headlining acts. Sure, Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside share a great deal of the Heat’s spotlight. But gone are the Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade duo days. The Big Three are no more. This is a group of versatile, well-rounded players, who share the ball first and foremost.

And yes, that includes the entirety of the squad.

There will always be guys who have to come off the bench. Some, third-in-line, barely stepping on the floor in certain matchups. But even the last man on the roster is ready to ball out when needed. Okaro White, being perhaps the most obvious example. For instance, he may have only played 17 minutes on Sunday, but he still managed to score seven points and grab four rebounds.

Basically, there isn’t one wasted player on this team.

Even Adebayo got to the line and made his first NBA basket, in the six mere minutes he played versus the Hawks.

At guard, there’s Dragic, Wayne Ellington, Tyler Johnson, McGruder, Richardson and Waiters. Forwards include Johnson, Olynyk, White and Winslow. And Adebayo and Whiteside hold it down at center.

In other words? Miami is stacked. Plain and simple.

With many guys having the ability to wear many hats, a la Olynyk who is technically a center but can easily play alongside Whiteside for extra size and strength.

Fingers crossed the Heat don’t have to endure the plethora of injuries they fell victim to last year, but it’s still comforting to know they won’t be depleted if a guy or two does have to miss time.

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