A look at the Miami Heat and the dice roll of changing roles

Goran Dragic is starting once again for the Miami Heat and thriving in the role. 

If anything, the Miami Heat certainly weren’t counting on Goran Dragic finding his All-Star form here in the playoffs. The Dragon has turned it on every which way in the postseason, serving as a defensive stopper and guaranteed bucket no matter the matchup or the circumstances.

When head coach Erik Spoelstra trusted Kendrick Nunn with the starting job at point guard, it meant demoting Dragic to the sixth man role. He started just three of 59 games in the regular season, and finished it averaging 16.2 points and 5.1 assists per game.

But the uncertainty of Nunn’s health after his positive COVID-19 test paved the way for Dragic to once again man the starting point guard role and take the reigns of this offense. It’s been the biggest development for Miami in the playoffs, aside from Jimmy Butler’s clear-cut superstardom.

Throughout 12 games this postseason Dragic is averaging 21.3 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds while knocking down 46 percent of his field goals and 38 percent of his threes.

It’ll make things more difficult when it comes to retaining him in free agency, sure, but for now, the Miami Heat can rest assured that the stars are aligning on their run at a championship.

Head coach Erik Spoelstra and this Miami Heat team have made it this far in the playoffs because of their willingness to change and the unselfishness in their locker room. It’s a dice roll to change up the roles of key players, but it’s a gamble that’s more than often paid off in South Beach.