Miami Heat: 3 New Year’s resolutions for the 2017-18 team

It’s 2018 and the Miami Heat have some New Year’s resolutions to make.

Somehow as of midnight, it became 2018. Which means it’s time for the Miami Heat to make some New Year’s resolutions.

While 2017 wasn’t all bad for the team, having turned an 11-30 record into a 30-11 run, drafting Bam Adebayo and signing Kelly Olynyk, it also had its fair share of low moments. The biggest two being missing out on the playoffs and Gordon Hayward, followed by their rough start to the season.

But that’s now all in the past. And the Heat get a chance at a fresh start. So here are 3 things the team should be focusing on, moving forward.

Developing The Rookie

Adebayo has already proven his worth. Having had to fill in for an injured Hassan Whiteside, the young buck saw more time than initially expected, but he was ready the challenge. He stayed mentally prepared, physically in check and totally committed to providing whatever head coach Erik Spoelstra asked of him.

Which so far has translated into averaging 6.9 points and 4.8 rebounds in 20.0 minutes of play, over 27 games.

They key now is, making sure the 20-year-old keeps growing, despite Whiteside returning to competition. This shouldn’t be too hard a task for Miami, first given that Whiteside’s minutes are still limited but also because of how different their skill-sets are. While it’s great to have the 7-footer back, Adebayo can still contribute to the team in big ways, as long as Spoelsta gives him the opportunity.

Josh Richardson Needs To Be Looked At As The Future

The swingman had himself quite a month.

Averaging 17.4 points on 54.6 shooting from the field (46.8 percent from downtown) in December, Richardson stepped things up offensively. And in a big way. However, he didn’t allow his hot hand to get in the way of his elite defense, holding his opponent to just 39.1 percent shooting. He is truly a great two-way player, one that the Heat need to hold onto long-term.

Fans may have initially thought president Pat Riley was crazy for giving the 24-year-old a four-year, $42 million extension, but it should now be clear that he absolutely did the right thing.

Richardson should be regarded as the franchise’s future, headlining a major youth movement that started last season.

Get Back To Balanced Basketball

Miami Heat Basketball is well-regarded as a unique system that emphasizes strong defense, lights-out shooting from downtown, and quality ball movement. And when it’s really being played, when it’s at its best, it’s a thing of beauty.

But sometimes, guys get injured, hampering the team’s ability to practice high-level defense. At times, nothing will drop from beyond-the-arc. And here and again, players start playing hero ball.

Which is why making sure that the roster is as well-rounded as possible, is so important. For example, while Wayne Ellington getting hot from 3 is surely a recipe for success, so would be multiple bodies being able to finish inside the paint (a category that Miami currently ranks No. 27 in).

Next: Should the 2017-18 Miami Heat be enticed by roster teases?

The Miami Heat have much to be thankful for from 2017, but here’s to an even better 2018.