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The Good, Bad and Miami Heat Culture: Finding momentum

By Lauren Gewirtz

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 27: The Miami Heat huddles up against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 27, 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 Oscar Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 27: The Miami Heat huddles up against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 27, 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 Oscar Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 27: The Miami Heat huddles up against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 27, 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 Oscar Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 27: The Miami Heat huddles up against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 27, 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 Oscar Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Good, Bad and Miami Heat Culture column is back for week two, looking at what happened against the New York Knicks and Portland Trailblazers.

The Good

With only two games this week, both ending in wins for the Miami Heat, there was a lot of good coming from a lot of players.

The Heat found a rhythm and are now working to keep the momentum going.

The most notable thing for a team with no so-called superstar, is that multiple players are stepping up each night. Against the New York Knicks, it was Hassan Whiteside, Josh Richardson and Rodney McGruder, who has become a key to this team early in the season.

"“He (McGruder) just does the simple things great and that’s not an easy thing to do,” said head coach Erik Spoelstra after the win against the Knicks. “Always in the right spot, he’s going to run his patterns and cuts full speed. He’s going to take the best defensive matchups every night, and find a way to help you.”"

Against the Portland Trailblazers, it was Goran Dragic with help from Dwyane Wade and Kelly Olynyk. Wade had 18 of his total 19 points in the first half, keeping the Heat in it when they were struggling defensively.

On top of individual success is 3-point shooting.

The Heat are currently No. 10 in the league in made 3-pointers per game, averaging 12.

In this position, they are four spots above the Golden State Warriors, and while I don’t expect that to last long, it is a good way to start the season.

The league is moving in the direction where players need to have a more versatile shot, so it is encouraging to see Heat players taking that step in expanding their shot selection.

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