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Miami Heat 1-on-1: What’s contributing to the team’s current struggles?

By Priscilla Elliott Morganfield

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 30: Justise Winslow #20 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 30, 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 30: Justise Winslow #20 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 30, 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 – NOVEMBER 30: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at American Airlines Arena on November 30, 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 – NOVEMBER 30: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at American Airlines Arena on November 30, 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) /

So is there someone you think head coach Erik Spoelstra is underutilizing at this point?

Morganfield: Would it be selfish to ask for more from Wade? Yes it would, but I want more Wade. He’s averaging 15.2 points per game, the third highest on the team, and 25.4 minutes, eighth highest. Spoelstra isn’t necessarily underutilizing him, but instead letting him play his role as a mentor with a mean Eurostep. It’s selfish of me to ask for more because of everything that he’s been doing and is still doing for this team, but we honestly need more Wade. You can see that he’s pushing out everything left in his tank and I highly appreciate it, but since there aren’t many others on the team willing to give the same energy and effort, he’s becoming all we got. Maybe more Wade and less of the younger guys will help push this team to more wins, because right now a 8-13 record is becoming a problem that doesn’t seem to be showing an immediate solution. I hate to have to ask this of you Father Prime, but can you please lead us to your last NBA playoffs?

Rahming: For me, it’s McGruder. Currently, McGruder’s usage rate is 16 percent. I think that’s reasonable for a fourth-year player with no contract extension, but his scenario is a bit different. He’s playing 33 minutes a night, which puts him in the company of players like Steph Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, CJ McCollum, and Mike Conley. Out of all players that average 33 minutes a game or more, McGruder comes in 40th out of 44 when it comes to usage percentage. Now I don’t expect the production of the players I just mentioned, but I do expect a bit more than the 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists he provides on a nightly basis. For a lot of the time he’s on the court, it looks like exactly that: he’s just out there to hold a space. Sure some of the issues between his on-court action and usage percentage have to do with matchups and gameplans, but I believe Spoelstra has zero plays drawn up for him specifically. Often times you see him cut to the basket and receive a pass, or attacking off the dribble once the ball is swung his way. If McGruder is going to be on the court as much as he is, there will need to be sets drawn up specifically for him.

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