The Miami Heat have had an uninspiring start to 2017-18 play, but it isn’t due to lack of talent on the team.
Miami Heat captain Udonis Haslem has seen a lot in his 14 years with the organization. So it’s a safe bet to trust the guy, when he says that physically, the team is fine.
"“It’s not physical. It’s mental for us. We’ve got to be able to sustain intensity and focus for 48 minutes understanding that even though the game of basketball is emotional and it goes up and down, we still have to stay even throughout the course of the game.”"
Despite it being hard to pinpoint just what is causing the squad’s inability to stay even, that resulting inability is exactly what has caused them to struggle so far this season. In fact, one of the only consistent things about the Heat currently, is their inconsistency.
The other being their talent level.
Because even at 7-9, it’s easy to see that Miami’s personnel isn’t the problem.
For starters, they each want to succeed more than the next.
Take Dion Waiters, who despite having signed a four-year, $52 million deal this summer, still feels like he has plenty to prove. Coming off of averaging 15.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists a game last season, he has just begun to show Heat fans what he’s worth. And is determined to turn the year around.
"“Just because you have the same team, almost, it doesn’t mean anything. It don’t guarantee anything, either. So, like I’ve said, the lineups have been different. You’ve got to figure it out, if that’s really possible. But you’ve got to do it quick.”"
As for raw aptitude? The guard may have shot 0-for-10 from the field in 26 minutes on Sunday afternoon in a loss to the Indiana Pacers, but one game a skill-set does not make. Besides it being his first scoreless game since joining the Heat (and just his second ever), Waiters is currently averaging 15.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists a matchup.
Then there’s James Johnson, who may be the most disappointed in Miami, making no excuses willing and to do anything it takes to once again be successful.
"“We played poorly. We didn’t have no heart that game and they exposed that.”"
But it’s not the team he’s necessarily blaming. Because no one is harder on James Johnson, than James Johnson.
"“I’m killing myself every night, every day. It’s just been terrible performances out of me and not just from an offensive standpoint, the defense.”"
This came after shooting only 1-of-5 in a loss to the Washington Wizards, finishing with just five points, two rebounds and two assists. However, anyone can have a bad night. And while the forward may have had a handful of lackluster performances recently, he has also showed out. Take his 21-point performance versus the Golden State Warriors. The 30-year-old went 7-for-15 from the field, while also totaling nine rebounds, six assists, one block and three steals.
And sure, Goran Dragic didn’t play the best basketball of his life against the Pacers, (finishing with eight points, five rebounds and four assists), but the veteran is still averaging 18.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists a contest so far.
Nevermind Hassan Whiteside, who although lately has had some members of Heat Nation asking for a trade, is still at 16.2 points, 13.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.
Have the Miami Mafia played well recently? No. Really, almost every member has hit a rough patch at some point in the 2017-18 campaign. But the team’s struggles aren’t due to the type of talent they’ve employed.
Next: Miami heat's Josh Richardson is struggling to find his shot
The Miami Heat have a lot of work ahead of them. However, fans should rest assured that at the very least, they’ve got guys who not only have potential, but are going to do anything to reach it.