Miami Heat: Top players that have the most to prove next season
The Miami Heat and some of the players were somewhat disappointing this season seeing as they missed the playoffs. But which players have the most to prove?
In the last five years, the Miami Heat have missed the playoffs every other year. However, in each of those times where the Heat missed the playoffs, they were right in the mix up until April.
During the 2014-15 season, the Heat were eliminated during the 80th game against the Toronto Raptors. During the 2016-17 season, after coming back from 11-30, the Heat were eliminated from a tiebreaker with the Chicago Bulls. This season, yet again, it went down to the wire.
Even in the playoffs against Philadelphia in 2017-18, players weren’t playing to their highest standards. Justise Winslow averaged 9.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and on an abysmal efficiency shot 35 percent from the field in that series.
He wasn’t the only one that didn’t step his game up. Josh Richardson averaged 8.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists on 37 percent from the field and 31 percent from downtown.
Despite not playing their best during the playoffs, they are still reasonably young, 23 and 25 years old. Even then, Winslow’s overall season has been a success. He improved on defense, improved his shooting, and improved his outside shooting. If it wasn’t for Pascal Siakam and D’Angelo Russell, Winslow would easily be a candidate for most improved.
The majority of the blame for the lack of success goes to the players that have been there before and simply didn’t meet their expectations…especially after they been paid.
Yes, we all know the players that I am talking about. Three players that been straight out disappointing ever since they have received their paycheck.
Dion Waiter, James Johnson, and Hassan Whiteside.
There is a reason why they received the type of money they have. Prior to their contract, they were proving everyone wrong. All three of the players were becoming journeymen until they found the Miami Heat. But now, they are proving everyone right and even showing people they should be traded.
The person on top of that list is one Dion Waiters.