Miami Heat Hot Topics: Bad habits and struggles, Olynyk doghouse?

In this edition of our ongoing Miami Heat Hot Topics series, we’ll take a look at a new recurring feature, recent struggles and Kelly Olynyk’s developing situation.

In our ongoing Miami Heat Hot Topics series, we’ll catch up on the stories we’ve written so far this past couple days here at All U Can Heat. Among our topics, we discuss the Heat’s recent struggles and habits, and take a look at Kelly Olynyk‘s developing situation as it seems he is in head coach Erik Spoelstra’s doghouse. We also check out a new weekly feature here on the site.

Without any further delay, let’s get started.

How the major power rankings view the Heat

In our newest regular weekly feature we will be taking a look at how the major power rankings view the Miami Heat. It gives us the opportunity to get a feel for the national media’s consideration of the team, and has the potential to occasionally rile folks up when a particular outlet underrates them (here’s looking at you, Bleacher Report). Follow along with us this season as we track these power rankings.

Winning has concealed some flaws for the Heat

Heat are finding comfort in their bad habits

Winning may conceal a multitude of sins in the NBA, but when flaws exist eventually they get exposed by elite competition. In the past week the Heat have demonstrated poor tendencies on both offense and defense (against the Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic and injury-ravaged Toronto Raptors, never mind elite competition), and they had a two-loss week as a result. Fortunately there haven’t been too many of those to this point, but these issues must be watched closely as the season develops.

Kendrick Nunn wins second straight Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award

Kendrick Nunn came from the fringes of the rotation to starting every game for the Miami Heat so far, and the undrafted rookie is piling up the accolades. So far Nunn has won both the October/November and the December Rookie of the Month awards in the Eastern Conference. His only real competition in the race has been his own teammate Tyler Herro.

Josh Richardson’s disposition confirms Jimmy Butler’s displeasure

Things aren’t quite right with the Philadelphia 76ers, and Josh Richardson alluded to this after the Sixers and Heat met up recently. His insinuations line up pretty closely with what Jimmy Butler could bring to a locker room, and it seems as though Butler’s absence has been more significant than expected both off the floor and on it.

Kelly Olynyk is in the doghouse for the Heat

James Johnson and Dion Waiters have been widely publicized for their presence in the Heat doghouse, but Kelly Olynyk has been quickly slipping into it himself. With multiple single-digit minute games and a couple of DNP-CDs under his belt in the last couple of weeks, Olynyk may be on the outside looking in at this point.

Where does Justise Winslow fit with the Heat?

One of the most important players for the Miami Heat is among the players who has played the least. Justise Winslow is still recovering from a bone bruise in his back and there remains no clear timeline for his return. When he does get back, though, just what will his role be? With Nunn’s emergence, Goran Dragic‘s tremendous play off the bench and Derrick Jones Jr. filling the role of defensive specialist, Winslow may be left searching for his best role after all.

Make sure to check back soon for our next edition of Miami Heat Hot Topics.