The Miami Heat frontcourt has been a big reason for their success this season, but can they replicate their play in the postseason?
Bam Adebayo: Prove He’s a Superstar
A large piece to the Miami Heat’s success this season has been Bam Adebayo’s rise to All-Star. He’s in contention for the Most Improved Player award after stuffing the stat sheet on the year as a whole: 16.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game.
He and Butler have formed a two-man game that’s pushed this Heat team to the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference and league in its entirety. The question now is can Adebayo sustain this play, and be a legitimate third piece to what they hope will be a Big Three in 2021.
Kelly Olynyk: Prove He’s Worth his $12-million Option
Kelly Olynyk’s third season with the Miami Heat may just be his best yet. And luckily for him, with his $12.3-million player option right around the corner after the season’s end. Olynyk’s averaging 7.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists primarily off the bench this year.
Still, when you’re a contending team, paying double digits for a rotational player isn’t always ideal. If Olynyk can come out and give them the proper boost in the playoffs, it’s sure to ease Riley and the front office’s mind about keeping him on the payroll going into next year.
Chris Silva: Prove They Should Keep Him Around
The Miami Heat like what they’ve seen from 23-year old Chris Silva. That’s why they converted his two-way deal to a standard NBA contact through the 2021-2022 season. But he’s seen little playing time in his 41 appearances for the Heat this year.
Again, the roster makeup to an NBA contender is incredibly sensitive. While the Heat front office no doubt knows Silva is more of a project than a sure thing, it would definitely help his case for a longterm tenure if he can capitalize on his limited minutes in Orlando.
Meyers Leonard: Prove He’s a Starter
Meyers Leonard and Bam Adebayo’s frontcourt minutes have been a huge success for the Miami Heat this year. Given his ability to space the floor, the center’s proven a strong fit in South Beach.
But when he injured his ankle in February and missed 16 consecutive games, his status as starting center became less of a sure thing. Leonard will need to take advantage of the first few and remaining regular-season games and remind coach Spoelstra that he deserves the starting nod.
Udonis Haslem: Literally Nothing
Plot twist. Miami’s longtime staple of 17 years and three-time champion has nothing left to prove.
At this point, Udonis Haslem is just along for the ride.
The Miami Heat will begin their quest to make the most of the 2019-2020 campaign in Orlando on Saturday. Every player down the roster has something to prove, no matter how significant.
They’ll start with Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. Tip-off is at 1 pm est.