The Miami Heat made additions to their roster on the NBA Buyout Market, as they added big men Cody Zeller and Kevin Love. With the Miami Heat becoming more sufficient, size-wise and when it comes to having more of a physical presence on the interior, they may have also gone a very long way towards helping to solve another issue that they’ve had this season.
Struggling to shoot the ball from the outside, the Miami Heat won’t get much support there from Zeller, though they will get a bit of that from Kevin Love. But when it comes to putting points on the board, in general, both of the acquisitions might be able to help a ton there.
Hear this out. When you look at the Miami Heat, they have typically played four guys that were about 6’6 or below this year.
With Bam Adebayo being the only true big on the floor, the Miami Heat have only had one truly above-average finisher at the rim on a consistent basis outside of Jimmy Butler. However and of course, he’s a bit different too, as he absolutely dominates games by imposing his will on teams from the mid-range area to the bucket and everywhere in between, including the free throw line.
The Miami Heat added size and overall shooting, specifically with Kevin Love. But with both Love and Cody Zeller, they help their ‘easy offense’ too.
Also, to further emphasize that point, take a guy like Caleb Martin for example. He excels with a head of steam, not as a spot finisher after developing position in the midst of the offensive sequence.
The same goes for a guy like Haywood Highsmith, who is able to offer you some things because of his sturdily built frame, broad shoulders, long limbs, and a huge heart—but isn’t truly a big guy either.
What guys like Kevin Love and Zeller can still do is get to a position, seal a guy off, and stand there for a layup off of a fellow Miami Heat player’s drive and dish. Dewayne Dedmon couldn’t stay on the floor long enough, while he was also a bit volatile on that side at times, while Orlando Robinson is still learning the game and the physicality that comes with it.
But both of these newly acquired dudes have proven to be guys that can finish on a spot in the NBA. And that, alone, can help get the Miami Heat 5-12 points at night—just like that.