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The Good, Bad and Miami Heat Culture: Moves before the trade deadline?

By Lauren Gewirtz

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) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 22: Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat celebrates with Justise Winslow #20 against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at American Airlines Arena on December 22, 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 22: Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat celebrates with Justise Winslow #20 against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at American Airlines Arena on December 22, 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) /

The Good, Bad and Miami Heat Culture is a bi-weekly column looking at recent things that have happened with the team, including what moves could be made before the trade deadline.

The Good

These past two weeks have been a rollercoaster for the Miami Heat, but that is not anything new as far as this season goes. After Josh Richardson sat out with an illness in the team’s loss in Detroit Friday night, one thing is pretty clear — the Heat need Richardson this season.

While losing to the Pistons and dropping below .500 was obviously a not a good thing, the extent to which Richardson is benefiting this team is worth noting. He is averaging a career-high 17.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists while missing only two games.

While he is still trying to become a better player himself, he is doing whatever he can to help this team win every night and has proved to be one of the few consistencies that the Heat have to lean on.

The Heat are also No. 4 in the league in points allowed per game, at 105.8 and have played well defensively this season. A large part in that? Richardson, who is finding himself on both ends of the floor along with Justise Winslow, who is now doing more ball handling in his role.

There are a lot of good pieces to this team, but 44 games in and No. 7 in the Eastern Conference is telling of where this team is headed, and I’m not just talking about this season.

I think the Heat will make the playoffs and continue to be average this season, but as for the future? Good will come to those who make moves (preferably before the trade deadline this season).

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