Miami Heat: What Does Their Closing Five Look Like In Coming Season?

Miami Heat: What Does Their Closing Five Look Like In Coming Season?

Markieff Morris is another option that most people aren’t looking at to close ball games. He may not quite be on the level of a defender like Tucker, but he can certainly defend.

Morris’s three-point shooting decreased with his tenure in Los Angeles, but having Kyle Lowry as your point guard should create easier and wide-open looks for him. It is hard to argue that Morris might finish over Tucker, but Morris still isn’t a bad option should Tucker get into foul trouble.

The two-guard spot is where it gets tricky. Should the Heat prioritize playmaking and defense with Victor Oladipo?

The defense and extra playmaking only benefits the starting lineup’s strengths, but there is no clear answer on if he helps their weaknesses.

Shooting is the biggest concern with this group and if the defense collapses on Butler or Lowry, Tucker and Oladipo have to be the guys to knock down shots.

Oladipo has struggled with perimeter shooting over the past couple of seasons, but it is unclear whether this is a product of poor shooting or the result of a never ending injury cycle.  Should they have a knock down shooter, in Duncan Robinson, next to a non-shooting Adebayo and a poor jump shooting Butler?

Robinson is an extraordinary shooter to have in that lineup. He fits well offensively and can bail the Heat out with tough contested shots.

The question is this. Can you trust him to play clutch defense?

I believe the answer is no. There is always an effort, but Robinson tends to commit silly fouls that bails the opposing team out.

I still think there is potential for him to grow and an opportunity for him to succeed as a defender with his long wingspan. Robinson improved on defense last season, but he’s going to have to keep improving, especially with the rise of Tyler Herro.

He’s just going to have to fight and earn that role in the closing unit.