The Miami Heat are riding high off the backs of two victories and much-needed wins, as they were coming off back-to-back losses to the same very two teams they got wins over recently, but also getting out to a 2-5 start along the way.
Now sitting at 4-5 as they look to go into Indiana and continue to good vibes they’ve created for themselves, they have a tough task ahead of them. Not only because Indiana is a longtime rival that, no matter the records, always fights hard against Miami, or not only because Jimmy Butler will also miss this contest, but because the Pacers can throw some real size at you.
That has been a Miami Heat conundrum for a few seasons now and seemingly has popped up again this year—their lack of size, at times, and also their answers to teams that play with size. And that’s what makes this the most important question for the next guy in question.
Biggest Question For Dewayne Dedmon: Can He Be ‘Good Dewayne’ More Than ‘Bad Dewayne’?
For what it’s worth, the general public’s analysis of what makes a good Dewayne game or a bad Dewayne game isn’t the bar here.
The Miami Heat don’t have tons of size but may have enough. A huge part of that potential is the version of Dewayne Dedmon they get from night to night.
When he is active, engaged, wreaking havoc, and being as physical as all get out—without the silly fouls, mistakes, or missed assignments defensively, that’s good Dewayne.
Well, at the very least, limiting them. When he is playing more recklessly than with controlled physicality, that ultimately hurts his team with continuous silly mistakes, that’s bad Dewayne.
His style and the way he gets it done make it a very thin line between the two dimensions of Dewayne Dedmon, but that’s also where his coach and team have to help him out. Yes, he has to be disciplined, aware, and smart on his own accord but his coach has to make sure he’s out there in effective bursts of minutes where what he does can be best concentrated and utilized.
And his teammates have to make sure they help him be in the best position where the team can also benefit from what he does. He has his part to do, of course and please don’t confuse that point being made here, but so do those around him.
But, that’s something that can be said for every single player on the roster. As far as The Mechanic goes though, this is his biggest question as the Miami Heat get good into the 2022-23 season.