The Miami Heat went out and made a deal with Memphis at the deadline for wing depth. This next series is an example of why.
The Miami Heat were players at the trade deadline during the regular regular season. They sent off their former first-round NBA draft pick in Justise Winslow, to receive Jae Crowder, Andre Iguodala, and Solomon Hill in return.
While some people looked at the deal a little awkwardly at first, most people understood what was happening. Justise Winslow had been injured quite a bit over the last few years, leading to quite a few games being missed by the dynamic when healthy big guard, but the Miami Heat needed depth now.
Not knowing they would be this good for the Miami Heat upon arrival, the trio that came back was also a reason for funny stares from some. Again though, most of us could see the picture starting to come together.
Although Iggy hadn’t played all year in Memphis, we knew he just needed to get in some shape and get his legs up under him. Jae Crowder is made of the right stuff and plays the game hard, so you knew he would fit as well as a 3 & D option at worst.
The Miami Heat will need the pieces acquired at the trade deadline in this Boston series.
We didn’t expect him to shoot the ball this well, but we aren’t complaining either. Although Solomon Hill hasn’t played a ton, he is still another active, 6’7-6’8, athletic body that might be called upon at some point.
The grand point of it all is this. Just like it took a while to see the vision immediately upon their arrival, it has taken us this long to see another layer of the long game play out with that trade.
Pat Riley made that trade for a series like this next one the Miami Heat are in. When you are going up against a team with a plethora of dynamic wing and scoring options like the Celtics, you need guys capable of defending at a high level while being able to switch constantly.
Whether it be Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker, Gordon Hayward when or if he returns this series, or any of their other guys, you need guys with athleticism, size, toughness, grit, and know-how out there to oppose.
That’s why this trade was made with Memphis near the deadline back in February.
We know what all three of Iguodala, Crowder, and Hill can do when called upon. Again, Hill hasn’t seen a ton of action, but in this series with these unique combinations of assorted wings and lineups, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him log his first real tick of the playoffs.
Either way it goes, at least two of those three will have a huge part in this series. That is why Pat Riley made the deal with Memphis… for a series like Boston.