Miami Heat Need Dewayne Dedmon To Channel His Previous Form

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) fouls Miami Heat center Dewayne Dedmon (21)(Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) fouls Miami Heat center Dewayne Dedmon (21)(Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports)
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Miami Heat
Miami Heat center Dewayne Dedmon (21) reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons(Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports)

Miami Heat: Dewayne Dedmon Is A Key Piece To What They Want To Do

Another area that Dedmon hasn’t been as effective in this year is boxing out or committing to box out well. He often watches the ball rim-out instead of securing a proper seal on his defender.

As the Heat are structured to be a top-rebounding team, with six players averaging at least five boards per game, there should be more trust between Dedmon and his teammates to provide collective help on the backboard.

  • The Heat hold a 95.8 Team Rebound Percentage on possessions where Dedmon performs a successful box out.

Dedmon has totaled 18 successful box outs, which ranks for 40th in the NBA among all centers and lower than fellow reserves: JaVale McGee, Tony Bradley, Frank Kaminsky, JaMychal Green, and Naz Reid (all playing 20 minutes or under per game).

With the Heat projected to be a top contender next spring, Dedmon’s role will be critical as most half-court offenses begin to slow down and become more prominent in the postseason.