All U Can Heat
Fansided

Miami Heat: 13 player grades for the first half of the regular season

By Trey Flynn

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 08: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat directs his team against the Denver Nuggets at American Airlines Arena on January 8, 2019 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 - JANUARY 08: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat directs his team against the Denver Nuggets at American Airlines Arena on January 8, 2019 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 14
Next
MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 30: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat celebrates with Kelly Olynyk #9 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: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat celebrates with Kelly Olynyk #9 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) /

C+. . PF. Miami Heat. KELLY OLYNYK

Kelly Olynyk has become a solid piece for this Miami Heat team, and while he has unquestionably had a sophomore slump in a Heat jersey this season, there is no doubt that Olynyk won’t give it his all on the court.

The big man is averaging 9.3 PPG and 4.6 TRB, shooting a so-so 34 percent from downtown. Shooting and getting boards is definitely not all that Olynyk is known for, but rather its his scrappy play that differentiates himself from other bigs in the league. Kelly O is known for his crafty play on both ends of the court, but at times can be taken off his game if he encounters an athletic opponent.

The Heat are not worse off with Olynyk on the court, but they haven’t been much better with him on it either. The stretch four has been asked to play center at times for Miami, and he can’t keep up with most of the ferocious bigs he goes against. And if Spo is forced to use Olynyk at the forward, the athleticism and speed of his opponent usually gets him in a bind.

With Olynyk playing the big position next to Bam Adebayo, he gives the Heat an extra +5.2 in the offensive plus/minus, allowing the Heat to spread the floor more or even facilitate with the bigs.

The real problem with Olynyk moving forward is what the Heat are going to do with Whiteside. You cannot play both big men because of their awkward fit together on the defensive end, but yet Miami is paying the two players a combined $35 million this season.

Moving forward, I would like to see more Bam/Kelly lineups.

The next player is famously known as the scavenger by most of South Florida.

Home/Heat News