The Miami Heat will need Dwyane Wade‘s leadership to make it to the playoffs.
The Miami Heat currently sit eighth in the Eastern Conference standings, and are holding on to their playoff contention lives.
How so?
The Heat have lost seven of their last eight games before the All-Star break and have a couple of desperate teams in the Detroit Pistons (two games back) and Charlotte Hornets (six games back), that are vying for the seventh and eighth spots respectively.
Miami will play 15 of their next 24 games at home (going 14-12 at the AmericanAirlines Arena), and have a 16-16 record on the road. The Heat’s next three games are against the New Orleans Pelicans (0-1), Memphis Grizzlies (1-0), and Philadelphia 76ers (0-2).
The remaining schedule highlights tough games against teams such as the Washington Wizards (with point guard John Wall returning), Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers and the revamped Cleveland Cavaliers.
Even though the Heat have an 86.4 percent chance of making the playoffs per BPI Playoff Odds, which are based on ESPN’s NBA Basketball power index (BPI), it’s not a given that the Heat make the postseason.
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With that being said, the Heat will need a much-needed component (Dwyane Wade’s leadership) that must act as the glue and lighting rod of composure through the second half of the season, as the Heat try to maintain or improve their playoff standings in the East.
Wade’s leadership for a playoff push
Wade will bring his bag of Hall-of-Famer tricks (euro-step, lob passes, pump fake, mid-range jumpers, post-ups, playmaking and shot-blocking) to the playoff contention table, as many expect him to. But the one element that gets undervalued is his leadership (see LeBron’s development as a leader and Wade’s resume) for checks and balances.
However, it’s all about Wade’s leadership getting the best and most out of players like Hassan Whiteside, James Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Justise Winslow, Luke Babbitt (specifically for 3-point shooting and floor spacing) and the expected return of Rodney McGruder.
Why these players?
The players mentioned are all either underachieving, not playing up to their potential or will be called on to play a specific role (Babbitt with 3-point shooting) down the stretch of playoff contention.
As for the rest of the team, Goran Dragic is an All-Star, Wayne Ellington has been playing well, Bam Adebayo has had a strong start to his rookie season, Kelly Olynyk was playing well prior to injury and Josh Richardson is having a breakout season.
To be crystal clear though, Wade’s leadership will be needed and called upon to impact the entire team.
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However, it’s the players previously mentioned that will be needed the most, to secure a playoff spot and have a deep playoff run.