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Miami Heat: 3 players that could be the x-factor this season

By John Jablonka

The Miami Heat's James Johnson and Goran Dragic, left, greet Dion Waiters (11) as they lead in the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Fla. on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. The Heat won, 108-101. (Pedro Portal/El Nuevo Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat's James Johnson and Goran Dragic, left, greet Dion Waiters (11) as they lead in the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Fla. on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. The Heat won, 108-101. (Pedro Portal/El Nuevo Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – MAY 20: Meyers Leonard #11 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during Game Four of the Western Conference Finals on May 20, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – MAY 20: Meyers Leonard #11 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during Game Four of the Western Conference Finals on May 20, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Meyers Leonard

For his entire career, Leonard has spent his time as a bench player for the Portland Trail Blazers. Since the 2015-16 season, Leonard’s production has dipped in every statistic apart from his efficiency. This can all change in his time with the Miami Heat.

Let’s have a look at Leonard’s production in 2016, as he had career highs in many categories. In 61 games, he averaged 8.4 points on 7.1 attempts, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, while shooting a 56.3 percent true shooting percentage.

Apart from the efficiency, all were career-highs. That just shows what he is capable of when given the opportunity. That is exactly what he is going to get with the Miami Heat.

Last season, both bigs in Adebayo and Kelly Olynyk spent most of their time on the bench, combining for 64 starts. However and starting with this upcoming season, both will most likely be inserted into the starting lineup.

That will leave Leonard as the main big, the only true big man, coming off the bench alongside Johnson and Derrick Jones Jr. Why would that make him a potential x-factor though?

Although it is a small sample, Leonard has increased his production during the playoffs. Who can forget that great game against the Warriors when he went off for 30 points? As mentioned though, it is just an 11 game sample.

His role on the bench won’t have to be that of a 30-point scorer, but being a double-digit scorer would for sure help the team. You could even think of him as a poor-mans Olynyk.

In addition, he will be surrounded by playmakers, thus giving him more opportunities in catch-and-shoot situations or in pick-and-pop scenarios. Don’t be surprised if Leonard increases his points per game to at least 10 per game.

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