The Miami Heat entered the new season with all cylinders firing on Monday. Dispelling of the Atlanta Hawks in quick fashion in their first preseason contest, it left much joy in the hearts and minds of Miami Heat Faithful and supporters everywhere.
Everyone that played look well, for the most part, but there were guys who flat-out shined more than others. Tyler Herro is the guy at the top of that list, having himself a game to catapult back into the collective memory banks of those that had forgotten or had gone to sleep... his thoughts, not otherwise.
He wasn’t the only one though, as Kyle Lowry showed you what his pace could do for this Miami Heat team and quickly, no pun intended. Bam Adebayo was aggressive.
Max Strus was still Summer League confident and though Duncan Robinson didn’t get going right away, he eventually found his stroke, as you can be almost sure he will on most nights.
However and even among all of that, there was one guy that stood out. Though it isn’t loud on most nights, because he does the dirty work and the things that most take for granted, that would be Dewayne Dedmon.
Miami Heat: Dewayne Dedmon Set Up To Quietly Have Major Impact
Bringing his same energy and work ethic into his first preseason game that he always brings, The Ded-Man continued to go to work. Though just a modest stat line of five points, five rebounds, and an assist across 16 minutes of action, as it is often, it’s bigger than just the numbers with him.
As stated, he works as hard, if not harder, than anyone on the court whenever he’s on the floor.
As he was last season after joining the Heat late in the season, he’ll be one of your best finishers at the rim all year when given the opportunity.
That’s especially with another guy to set him up, double time because the guy is as adept as Kyle Lowry is. But that’s the other thing before going too far.
He had an entire offseason and an entire process to start this season this time around, only meaning that he should be relatively better and if nothing else than for the familiarity, consistency, and proper build-up throughout the process of it all.
Miami Heat: Dewayne Dedmon Could Be A Huge Part Of Their Success This Year
Lastly and something that’s been called for a ton throughout his short tenure as a Miami Heat guy and well, two things. He shot the three ball in the preseason opener and though just once, he shot it early on, which means it’s something to expect to see a healthy dose of this season.
Though he missed that attempt, coming near the end of a period, it looked good coming off of his hands and that’s encouraging, as you can see a number of those going in with consistent looks.
The second thing is that hopefully, that ability to space the floor, his deeper familiarity of the Heat, and the versatility of the guys they have allow him to see more time alongside other big men this season.
Specifically, that means Bam Adebayo. With how last season went, at times, but especially in contending with Milwaukee’s size in the playoffs, being able to go big won’t be a bad thing for Miami.
You also want to consider the Size that Philly will be able to throw at you, while keeping in mind that though Kevin Durant is a perimeter player, he is still seven feet tall and has become more accustomed to banging or at least, doing some of the things associated with the guys that do that kind of stuff.
Having more capable size on the floor when you need it or being able to, at least, should only add to the Heat’s multipleness. A true Spoism, you can bet Spo is already considering it.
For these reasons and a few more that will shake themselves out as things contibnue to tip off and progress, Dewayne Dedmon is set up to, quietly, have a major impact for the Miami Heat this season. He might just end up being huge for the Heat… in all senses of the word.