Miami Heat offensive intervention: Goran Dragic’s mid-range game
For the first edition of Offensive Intervention, Goran Dragic takes the spotlight.
The Miami Heat are staring into uncertainty. After appearances at the NBA Draft Combine, there remains a lack of concrete evidence that the Heat will been in a better place than they were in April 2018.
Kelly Olynyk however, can speak in certain terms. In an interview with the Miami Herald, Olynyk commented on exactly what Miami needs offensively, by taking cues from the Philadelphia 76ers.
"“They had five guys on the floor who were threats at all times from all spots on the floor,” Olynyk said. “It’s tough to guard. It’s really tough to guard. The way the NBA is now, the more skilled shooting, passing, dribbling you have, the more of a threat you are. If you are not 7-1 and an absolute beast, someone like Hassan [Whiteside], you really have to be able to do a lot of things on the floor or you’re going to get lost in the shuffle.”"
Olynyk’s right. Miami faltered far too often offensively to stay competitive. When the 3-pointers weren’t falling, they also lacked gusto in getting to the free throw line.
At times relying too much on Dwyane Wade’s heroics, the Heat were lost in a self-created scramble, leaving box scores a shell of what they should’ve been.
Now, Miami needs an offensive intervention. Every player needs to sharpen the tools in his toolkit, to keep the Heat trending towards the top of the Eastern Conference.
Goran Dragic
By all accounts, Goran Dragic had a solid season. After a Eurobasket 2017 championship with Slovenia, Dragic made his first NBA All-Star appearance in Los Angeles. Despite replacing the injured Kevin Love in the exhibition, Dragic offered a relative brand of consistency the Heat desperately needed.
Though Dragic had his share of 20-plus point outings, his offense dropped off in one crucial aspect: the free throw line. After a blood torn 2016-17, in which Dragic had seven games with at least 10 free throw attempts, he managed just two this season.
Oddly enough, Dragic finished more shots at the rim this year than last, but failed to attract the whistle. His history of elbows to the face and chipped teeth should make Dragic among the most-worthy to hit the charity stripe, but the box score told a different story.
Having turned 32 earlier this month, Dragic needs to reboot his approach when the calls aren’t coming. Evidenced by Wade, attacking the basket is great when it works, but unsustainable as Father Time lurks in the background.
With his sweet stroke and tight handle, Dragic could easily boost his affinity for the mid-range. His Chris Paul-like discretion and speedy first step provides the framework for a lethal step-back jumper that preys on defensive indecision and poor switching.
As Miami’s lead assist man, attacking the mid-range also provides useful options beyond the jumper. Inside the arc defenses naturally collapse on the ball handler, giving Miami the freedom to slide to their best shots.
When Dragic is on the court, Miami averages their second most assists, 17 per game. For a team as infatuated with the 3-ball as Miami is, his dribble penetration is key to setting up shooters on the perimeter.
Retired from Eurobasket, Dragic has a calm summer ahead. With every intention to return fresher than ever, summer 2018 can spark his rebirth.
"“It’s going to be way different for me,” Dragic told the Palm Beach Post. “I retired from the national team, I’m not going to play this summer. I’m going to have more time to work on my game, to be fresher (next) season, I’m going to be more hungry and I think that’s going to help me because when you already played half a season and you come in you’re a little bit tired.”"
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Thankfully, Dragic already has the foundation for another solid season. Barring Miami’s restructure at point, Dragic can remain the Heat’s floor general.