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Miami Heat 1-on-1: Is tanking really the right answer?

By Imran Ebrahim

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 20: Udonis Haslem #40 of the Miami Heat leads a huddle before the game against the Brooklyn Nets on November 20, 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 - NOVEMBER 20: Udonis Haslem #40 of the Miami Heat leads a huddle before the game against the Brooklyn Nets on November 20, 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 – NOVEMBER 20: Rodney McGruder #17 of the Miami Heat and Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat high five during the game on November 20, 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 – NOVEMBER 20: Rodney McGruder #17 of the Miami Heat and Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat high five during the game on November 20, 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) /

Did you hold this opinion before the 2018-19 season began, or has the team’s rough start changed your mind?

Ebrahim: My mind has always been in this space, especially for the last couple of seasons for the team. Coming into this year, especially with the Golden State Warriors being who they are, I felt it was a perfect time to tank. Without a juggernaut like that, only a handful of teams would believe they’d have a chance of hoisting the trophy. With that team adding DeMarcus Cousins, it’s basically between them and the Boston Celtics (although both teams have struggled up to this point). Now, I’m not saying you don’t make moves to improve your team, such as Philly acquiring Jimmy Butler and still having cap space for the offseason. But there’s no point in emptying the clip for a team that has little to no chance to compete for a conference championship, let alone the Larry O’Brien trophy. Surprisingly enough, the Phoenix Suns have been a good example of how to outlast the Warriors. Assembling a team of DeAndre Ayton, Devin Booker, Josh Jackson and Mikal Bridges that should peak as the Warriors fade away? That’s a good tank.

Rahming: I did start the season with this opinion. I knew that James Johnson was recovering from sports hernia surgery, but Wayne Ellington‘s absence did catch me by surprise to start the season. You couldn’t have paid me to believe that Dion Waiters would still be missing games in late November with no timetable to return. It’s hard to say, but the organization and the fans have to come to terms with the fact that the league has passed them by. It was close last year, but with the new rules allowing for a faster pace, combined with more shooters entering the league, the Heat are in a weird place. They’ve ratcheted up the pace of play, and got their points per game up (as I asked for in a piece this summer), but unfortunately, their turnovers are through the roof (26th), and their field goal percentage is among the worst in the league (28th). This season is definitely off to a horrendous start. People are quick to open the glass case to the panic button, and mash the button until something happens. Fully healthy, this team is better than the 40-11 squad concerning talent, but sadly, they’re equal to, if not worse, than that team concerning health. I commend team president Pat Riley for doubling down on this team, but he and the fans must realize that team may only yield a 50 percent return on investment due to injuries. There is a reason the team was able to acquire Johnson, Waiters, and Justise Winslow with the tenth pick in 2015. These are players other teams took flyers on for various reasons, and I think we’re starting to realize why.

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