Miami Heat Need Dewayne Dedmon To Channel His Previous Form
By Isiah Curry
Miami Heat Need Dewayne Dedmon To Channel His Previous Form
He can space the floor when needed, but when he’s utilized at a maximum though, he can pulverize weaker (and smaller) front courts on the interior.
On October 27, Dedmon scored a season-high 14 points against the Brooklyn Nets, converting on four of his six attempts in the paint — a key performance against a team who currently holds the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Dedmon at the buzzer for another 70 point first half 🚨 pic.twitter.com/CZEBONqywV
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) November 3, 2021
The similar offensive production is present, however, Dedmon has only scored in double figures twice in the 15 games since. Also, after shooting 76.8 percent from within 10 feet of the basket (46 of 65 attempts) last year, that number has fallen to shade over 60 percent on 37 of 64 attempts this season.
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Some of this could be attributed to a recent illness and strained groin. However, the Heat’s primary reserve center has also had some issues that are more fundamental and uncommon, based on his previous year.
A FEW SCREWS ARE LOOSE FOR DEWAYNE DEDMON THAT HAVE TO BE TIGHTENED
This season, Dedmon has had difficulty finding his position on the floor or even finding comfort in such space, which has resulted in several Illegal Screens and Defensive Three Second Violations (two on Wednesday against Minnesota).
You could credit the current rule changes, but it’s kept him from playing extended minutes. This has inversely given Heat head coach, Erik Spoelstra, an incentive to pull him in favor of other options and ones that aren’t Markieff Morris, as he continues to be sidelined with a neck injury.
That seems like a bit of overshare, but it’s important if your arguable third toughest guy, Dedmon, isn’t on the floor.