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Miami Heat 1-on-1: Can the team turn things around still?

By Allana Tachauer

Miami Heat guards Tyler Johnson and Dwayne Wade at the bench during a time out in the second quarter against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Fla. (Pedro Portal/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
Miami Heat guards Tyler Johnson and Dwayne Wade at the bench during a time out in the second quarter against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Fla. (Pedro Portal/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 04: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on against the Orlando Magic during the first half at American Airlines Arena on December 4, 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 – DECEMBER 04: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on against the Orlando Magic during the first half at American Airlines Arena on December 4, 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 do you feel like head coach Erik Spoelstra deserves any blame for what’s happening?

Tachauer: At the risk of facing major backlash… yes. Obviously, Spoelstra is an elite coach, and has been from basically the very beginning of his career. But right now, it’s hard to completely stand by every in-game decision he makes; at least without really knowing his reasoning behind them. This is particularly true when it comes to his usage of Adebayo, Whiteside and Kelly Olynyk, three bigs who all may have size, but vastly different skill-sets. Additionally, it seems like he almost has a different level of patience for some guys, over the rest. While Whiteside is always yanked after just one small blunder, James Johnson is allowed to struggle on both ends of the floor for an entire quarter, before finally being replaced. Truth be told, I started scratching my head over some of Spoelstra’s rotational choices last season, and unfortunately, I’m still doing so today. I understand that a coach can only do so much when it comes to outside factors such as injuries and even lack of so-labeled high-level talent, but he should be given some responsibility when it comes the Heat’s rocky 2018-19 campaign so far.

Johnson: Not a bit. Where is president Pat Riley? Across the league, we’ve seen so many general managers and team presidents catch flack over their roster, but Riley continues to stand as one of those untouchable legends. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of Riley. But to not show his face at all, while one of the most beloved coaches in the NBA—beloved by his players and his opponents alike—gets criticized, sends an overall bad message to the fanbase.

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