Miami Heat: Why the upcoming stretch is huge for Andre Iguodala

Here’s How We See It

As noted in a piece recently where we graded the first game for each of the Miami Heat’s newest acquisitions in the trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, Andre Iguodala did some good things in his first few games of the season and with the team. It was only a very short stretch, but he was his usual active and instinctive self on the defensive side of the ball, the side that comes naturally to him. Here is what we had to say about the rest of his game though.

"You would have wanted to see a bit more offensively from him, but he hasn’t played in live-action all year, so you can definitely understand the rust and hesitation there. He has been training, as apparent by the shape he is in, but there is nothing like real live action in sports they say."

These next few games to close out the month of February not only give the mere opportunity to further build game conditioning and establish offensive rhythm through live game action, but it also gives him another unique opportunity. It gives Iguodala the opportunity to do it against real-life NBA talent and competition, but not the highest of highest, while also presenting just enough challenge from a game to game perspective that it does what he and the rest of us need it to do for him.

When looking closer at the games, you have the as mentioned Atlanta Hawks game. They are a stiff, feisty, and offensively gifted bunch, but they have been beaten by the Heat in all three matchups this season.

They have been outscored 117.7 to 105 and out-rebounded 47.7 to 40 by the Heat across the three games, and when the Heat out-rebound you for starters, that typically means you lose. It is no reason to think that Thursday’s game will be any different.

They then follow up Thursday’s contest with a home and home series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They play Saturday in Miami and in Cleveland on Monday. Considering the whole John Beilein fiasco, his firing, and the fact that they have a record of 14-40 on the season, there is no need for fancy data or explanations. The Miami Heat are the much better team and should take those games without a doubt.