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Miami Heat 1-on-1: Counting down to another season

By Imran Ebrahim

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 10: Tyler Johnson #8 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during a pre-season game on October 10, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 10: Tyler Johnson #8 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during a pre-season game on October 10, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 05: Rodney McGruder #17 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards during the first half of a preseason NBA game at Capital One Arena on October 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 05: Rodney McGruder #17 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards during the first half of a preseason NBA game at Capital One Arena on October 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Ok, talk to me about #PreseasonRodney…

Ebrahim: Without including Richardson or Adebayo (who have only played two of the five preseason games), #PreseasonRodney is actually the leading scorer for the Miami Heat this preseason, with 15.3 points per game. Although the sample size is limited, he’s shooting 44.4 percent from 3… Sustained over a season, that would’ve been more than Klay Thompson last year. Looking at the previous answer, this might be the best time for him to show out like this. Because if the Heat truly are into giving minutes where they are deserved, instead of where they are paid, it’s highly possible that his preseason performance will take away from Tyler Johnson’s playing time. The other good thing is that it seems he’s completely over his stress fracture, as head coach Erik Spoelstra hasn’t felt the need to reign back his minutes at all. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw him running at the starting 2-guard on opening night.

Rahming: Unlike #PlayoffP in Oklahoma, Rodney McGruder has been blowing people away for multiple games. I don’t think he’ll be seeing the starting lineup too much, but Spoelstra is the king of making sure reserves get quality minutes with players that work well together, so I’m not concerned about the minutes he’ll receive this season. My question is: What number will he be on the roster? Currently, I have him projected at ninth on the depth chart, above James and Tyler Johnson, Derrick Jones Jr, and Briante Weber (who will be making the roster this year). Coming into the preseason, I wanted to see how Tyler Johnson would do versus McGruder. To me, they play the same position. One will win a distinct spot in the rotation, while the other will be that guy plugged in situationally (foul trouble, a player having a bad night, injury/rest). Unfortunately for the Heat organization, it’s clear that the rotational spot should go to McGruder, despite Johnson’s $19.2 million. Both players have played the same amount of games so far, yet McGruder is above Johnson in points per game, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, free throw percentage, and most importantly, minutes. With the two players tying in rebounding and turnovers, I think it’s a no-brainer to take McGruder over Johnson. He’s earned it.

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