This was a bad week for the Miami Heat. Four embarrassing losses, despite a near comeback against the lowly Charlotte Hornets and a close game against the Dallas Mavericks. Still, even in a week of bad play, there were some bright spots for the team that will hopefully turn the season around.
And one player that is very lucky they’re in the top 3 (I’m sure you can guess who).
A reminder of the rules:
1. These rankings will be based on performance from this season so far.
2. Injured players will be included unless the injury is season-ending.
3. G-League and prior team performances for newly traded/signed players will be included.
4. Two-way players are included.
Let’s get into the list.
17. Vlad Goldin (Two-Way)
Not only is Vlad Goldin on the older side for a two-way player at 25, but he also happens to have an even harder path to minutes now, considering he’s behind Nick Richards and he can’t even crack the rotation yet. He’s realistically going to need Nikola Jovic, Nick Richards, and Bobby Portis to be out for a game for him to have a chance to play at all.
16. Tre Donaldson (Two-Way)
The Heat are still a guard injury (or two) away from Tre Donaldson having a chance in the rotation. Granted, he’s still comfortably behind Ryan Conwell, who is still pretty much out of the rotation for the moment.
15. Keshad Johnson (Two-Way)
Keshad Johnson, as a veteran, probably has the best chance of playing out of the three two-way players. Donaldson originally looked like he’d have more of a chance, considering he’s a guard, but with how bad the team has started, Erik Spoelstra would likely not want to insert a two-way rookie or Vlad Goldin when you have someone who’s at least played important minutes before Johnson.
14. Nick Richards
Nick Richards, unfortunately, is going to struggle to find minutes at the center position, considering Spo’s willingness to run a 9-man rotation with essentially three centers in Giannis, Bam, and Portis, and Jovic close behind, who can be used as a small-ball 5. He probably won’t be getting any burn soon, barring injury.
13. Myron Gardner
Myron Gardner was talking trash to Anthony Edwards on opening night and gave him some of the fire to absolutely torch the Heat. Then, he was left out of media availability the next day. He’s probably in the doghouse for now.
12. Simone Fontecchio
I have him slightly ahead of Gardner mainly because he hasn’t caused any mini-controversies (see #13), but they’re pretty interchangeable. If either one is playing regular rotation minutes, it’s because Spo is trying to change the puzzle pieces around.
11. Nikola Jovic
Nikola Jovic started the week in the rotation with 24 minutes on opening night, and has played himself out of the rotation in a week. At this point, it's difficult to see how he's going to work his way back.
10. Ryan Conwell
Ryan Conwell looks to be approaching a genuine spot in the Heat rotation, and for good reason: we need guard play, and badly. Conwell might have some rookie growing pains, but honestly, he can’t be any worse than what we’ve been doing so far.
9. Dru Smith
Dru Smith should be in line for more minutes over the next week. Considering how much coach Spo supposedly loves him, I’m surprised it took until Game 4 for him to get playing time (and he was instantly a positive player).
8. Tim Hardaway Jr.
Tim Hardaway Jr. has not started his Heat tenure well, but there’s been bad shooting across the board from the team. Plus, he’s always been streaky with his shooting to begin with, so I’m not necessarily surprised this is the case. Unfortunately, when he isn’t shooting well, there’s nothing else he does exceptionally well to make him any higher on this list.
7. Pelle Larsson
Pelle Larsson’s stats haven’t been great so far, but I at least get the sense he’s putting in effort out there, which is a feeling I lack with most of the team right now. Yes, that’s how bad this week was. Effort makes you a top 7 player on the Heat roster.
6. Klay Thompson
It’s been a shaky start for Klay Thompson, who’s had moments of solid play followed by absolutely atrocious shot selection and getting singled out on defense. Still, I expect the shooting to turn around, and the team's defense will be better suited to hide him in future weeks.
5. Andrew Wiggins
Andrew Wiggins was absolutely atrocious this week. He’s lucky to even be this high on the list, but being a good defender saves Wiggins immensely. If his offense turns around, he’ll move back up this list once again.
4. Bobby Portis
I did not expect to have Bobby Portis anywhere near this high at any point this season. But when two starters do nothing all week and you make an impact, you deserve to be up here. Plus, Portis has been far and away the Heat’s best 3-point shooter and has displayed effort on the boards as well.
3. Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo looks nothing like someone who should be a second offensive option on a championship team. Even more concerning, his defense has been awful, and his effort has been bad to watch. He needs to turn it around, and quickly. He’s lucky he’s #3.
2. Davion Mitchell
As much as Bam should be in this spot, his play this week does not warrant him being here. Davion Mitchell has been far and away the second-best player for the Heat this week, and one of the only players showing any type of effort, period. The rest of the team needs to follow his lead.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Even with a bad game against the Hornets this week, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been showing up and doing what he can despite the slow start. He’s looking as good as ever for the most part, and hopefully he gets help. He needs it.
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