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Miami Heat: 3 things fans should watch for in 2018-19

By Rahmeaun Rahming

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 12: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks on against the Atlanta Hawks on October 12, 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 12: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks on against the Atlanta Hawks on October 12, 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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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 08: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on against the Orlando Magic during the second half at American Airlines Arena on October 8, 2018 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 08: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on against the Orlando Magic during the second half at American Airlines Arena on October 8, 2018 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Why We Matching Up?

It’s been heavily documented that Spoelstra will play whoever he deems necessary to get a win.

Just because you make the big bucks, doesn’t mean you’re going to play big minutes.

We saw Whiteside fall victim to this last March against the Brooklyn Nets, where he just missed hitting the 20-minute mark. Spoelstra thought it was better to go small against the smaller (6-foot-7) Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and ended Whiteside’s night early.

Then, the Heat went on to lose that contest in overtime, 110-109.

This benching is what led to the infamous Whiteside quote of, “Why we matching up?”

Last season, Spoelstra played 14 different lineups, a total of 100 possessions or more.

That ranks second in the Southeast division behind the Washington Wizards (16).

I would like to see that number down a few to about 10/11, which would align the Heat more with the dark horse, Indiana Pacers.

Getting that number down would cut into the number of times the team appears to be scattered. No one talks about this, but I’m sure there’s a psychological element at play with athletes on a team where they know they’re easily replaced. It’s hard to go to the bench in a funk, knowing your chances of returning to the game are very low, especially if you’re losing.

One could always say “play better,” but in the case of the Miami Heat, the blame may have to go to team president Pat Riley.

The way the roster is constructed ultimately disallows things like the seven players currently listed at guard/guard-forward, to have distinct roles that will enable them to develop and grow.

Lastly, the roster is undoubtedly inflated with contracts earned after having only one good season.

You can expect the Heat to find themselves in trade rumors all throughout the season, even aside from being linked to Jimmy Butler.

Print that.

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