The Miami Heat had a problem last season. They had a huge problem.
Ironically enough, their “huge problem” was probably due to them literally… not being huge enough. “Murdered” would be an understatement when it describes the Miami Heat’s rebounding situation, at times, last season.
Though “at times” is a proper description, those “times” were at the most crucial times and imperative portions of the games, it seems. That’s just what the eyes tell a person though.
In most situations when it comes to sports and especially when said surveyor knows what he or she is looking at, the numbers back that up, tell a similar story, or hit just close enough to make sense of it all… or at least, a little bit.
In this situation, the numbers are spot-on. When it comes to the Miami Heat and their ability to rebound the ball last season, they came in at an unimpressive 29th of 30 teams.
Miami Heat: Did They Address Rebounding In Offseason?
Only ranked ahead of the Sacramento Kings, they finished the season averaging 41.5 rebounds per contest. Some people could try to flip the numbers, perhaps describing the scenario as one where there just weren’t that many rebounding opportunities due to good defense, single shot opportunities and possessions, or simply dumb luck.
That isn’t the case here though. The Miami Heat just didn’t seem tough enough or didn’t seem to want it enough.
Rebounding is all about toughness and wanting it more than the opponents do. Toughness typically isn’t something that is questioned with Pat Riley-type teams, which the Miami Heat always are, of course.
That’s something that the moves seemed to explicitly and specifically address this offseason. While it took some time last season, he promptly brought back a fan-favorite in the Ded-Man, Dewayne Dedmon.
Though he proved capable of being a really good finisher at the rim and in the paint for the Miami Heat last season, his toughness, brash mentality, and ability to be physical is what got him back. Riles didn’t stop there though.
He got creative. He got really deviously creative.
Miami Heat: They Definitely Got Tougher… Which Should Help Rebounding
Ever hear the saying… getting two birds with one stone? Pat Riley has.
Hurting Milwaukee in the process, he also pilfered P.J. Tucker from their roster, the ultimate tough guy. He should help the rebounding department as well, specifically.
Another guy who should instantly insert some rough and tumble into the atmosphere, while also adding rebounding ability to boot, is Markieff Morris. With both The Morris Twins being known for their gritty and tough demeanors since college, the Miami Heat’s sibling brings all of that with him and more.
Though Kyle Lowry could be mentioned here, as he comes with all the toughness and grit that anyone could ever ask for, he isn’t a guy that helps a ton with rebounding. He does add something mentally to help those other guys there though.
Lastly, as far as that specific area stands, Omer Yurtseven has to be mentioned. A beast of a player throughout his short Heat tenure and though against lesser competition, he should really help them in a few areas, including rebounding.
His California Classic Summer League numbers were ridiculous. He only averaged 26 points, 13.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, two blocks, and a half steal on 54.1 percent shooting from the floor, 45.5 percent from three on nearly six attempts per contest, and all across 28.6 minutes per game.
He’s since signed a standard deal, of course and though his all-around numbers were just too good not to mention, he can definitely help in the rebounding department too. Yea, Pat Riley had a vision.
The Miami Heat knew they had a problem last season and proceeded to address it this offseason. Hopefully, it all pays off in the coming season but at the very least, they’ll look like a typical Miami Heat team while figuring it all out.