The Miami Heat are 2-0 heading into Saturday’s Game Three, largely behind Goran Dragic and Jimmy Butler. Dragic never wanted to be playoff starter though.
The Miami Heat are on sitting cozy, 2-0 lead in their 2020 NBA playoff bid as they head into a Thrusday matchup that will feature their fans along the virtual boards. Life is good.
This is especially when you are coming off a game that saw your resident flamethrower in Duncan Robinson go 7/8 from deep, which is only further amplified by the fact that he had an awful outing in Game One. Again, life is good.
They are being led in their efforts by Jimmy Butler, of course, and newly implemented starter for the playoffs, Goran Dragic. The Dragon was given the starting nod in Game One of the playoff series over Kendrick Nunn who has started all year long.
While Nunn has had a rather volatile NBA restart period, coming in late due to coronavirus contraction and taking leave in the middle of it due to a “personal matter”, to see him not starting and subsequently not playing at all is a bit surprising.
The Miami Heat are excelling so far in their short playoff existence. One of the reasons for it, Goran Dragic, never even wanted to be out front in his leading role though.
To make that even more of a head-scratcher, Goran Dragic never even wanted the starting job. No surprise there though if we are being totally honest.
Here is the exact word on that, per the Twitter account of the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson.
"“Spoelstra said he talked to Dragic about becoming starter again and he was fine with it but that he probably would have preferred staying in bench role.”"
Again, that isn’t surprising considering all we have ever seen and heard from and about Goran Dragic. Although we weren’t shocked, it is something really good to hear though.
Here’s why.
With Goran Dragic being a free agent at the end of the season and performing the way he has throughout the year up until this point, the Miami Heat should be in the business of trying to keep him in the fold.
He actually appears that he can do what he is doing for at least another two years if he is continued to be managed and played as he has been. Coach Spo and the Miami Heat have shown that they can do that and that should be the plan.
What a humble, yet dangerous man he is on the basketball court. He may have never wanted to start, but we are sure glad he is because he has been a huge part of what the Miami Heat have been able to do thus far. Let’s hope that continues to be the case, for now and for later.