The Miami Heat were on a roll this past week, beating two teams - the Hawks and the undermanned Pacers that were as close to must-wins as you can get early in the season, and then got outgunned by the Lakers in a game where the Heat refused to play defense or grab rebounds. At least there’s a little more hope than last week.
A small note: the G League season starts this week, meaning that we will finally get to see Vlad Goldin, Tre Donaldson, and Keshad Johnson play significant minutes of basketball. I’ll actually go out of my way to watch them play; granted, it may just be highlights, but it’ll give me something to go off of for these lists. And if anyone outside of those three looks really good, they could get a surprise mention on the list (I’m looking at you, Dennis Smith Jr.).
A reminder of the rules:
1. These rankings will be based on performance from only this upcoming season (excluding today’s edition).
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)
With the G League season starting this week, maybe Vlad Goldin can show something to move up the list. For now, he still sits comfortably at the bottom.
16. Tre Donaldson (Two-Way)
As is the case with Goldin, he will likely play a lot of minutes in the G League, but he could prove important rather quickly if the Heat have a guard injury. It’s what puts him just a spot higher than Goldin.
15. Keshad Johnson (Two-Way)
In his G League appearances last year, he was genuinely dominant, averaging 21 points and eight rebounds on 55/39/79 splits in 13 appearances. If he does that again, NBA minutes could come soon, and maybe even a standard contract.
14. Nick Richards
Nick Richards has yet to find the court outside of garbage time, and with the great play of Bobby Portis, he should expect to stay strapped to the bench.
13. Myron Gardner
Myron Gardner is in the same position as Richards, but the difference is of course the Heat could use a wing far before they could use a big at this moment. That keeps him at 13.
12. Simone Fontecchio
The same as #13 and #14, the difference being that he, of course, has held a rotation spot in the past much longer than Gardner. If Nikola Jovic and Tim Hardaway Jr. keep seeing reduced minutes, he could be in line for some spot rotation minutes in the near future.
11. Ryan Conwell
Ryan Conwell seemed like a candidate to receive more minutes, but ever since his short appearance in the third quarter of last week’s Hornets game, he’s been glued to the bench outside of a short 7-minute appearance in the Lakers game. I’d be shocked if this lasts, though, since fortunately for him there is a certain someone in his position who can’t hit a shot right now.
10. Tim Hardaway Jr.
The return to his dad’s former team could not be starting any worse. He did have one good game this week with a 14-point performance against the Hawks, but he was still a -3 due to opponents attacking him relentlessly on the defensive end. Even with this performance, he’s still been brutal shooting the ball, and he’s already seen a minutes reduction, only playing 12 minutes in the Heat’s win over the Pacers.
He did manage to get some fourth-quarter minutes against the Lakers, where he looked much more like himself shooting-wise, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Conwell starts to eat up some of his minutes in the rotation.
9. Nikola Jovic
I’ve been very critical of Nikola Jovic, but he actually put together an OK week, all things considered. He still can’t hit a shot, open or contested, but he’s played his role as a glue guy decently and has been a positive in the +/- category, which counts for something.
Plus, that half-court shot against the Hawks was pretty sick. Spo likes him, and he will keep getting playing time, but I’d still prefer it if he didn't play more than 15 minutes or so per game. He hasn’t earned the right to play more than that.
8. Dru Smith
It was a confusing week for Dru Smith, as the first game of the week against the Hawks made it appear that he won a rotation spot, playing 14 minutes and appearing in all four quarters. Then, the Pacers game saw him play four pretty bad minutes against the Pacers (two turnovers and a -7), and he wouldn’t get up from the bench after that. Then, he got 4th-quarter minutes in last night’s Lakers game, with more mixed results.
7. Andrew Wiggins
Andrew Wiggins had a better week at first, looking more like himself, and then got completely played off the floor in the Lakers game. He just looks off, with his 3-point shooting still hovering under 30% for the season. And his defense hasn’t been all too great either. Just a lot of bad for Wiggins.
6. Bobby Portis
Bobby Portis cooled down after an incredible start to the season, and yet is still shooting above 40% from three on the season. The issue for Portis is his shot selection outside of catch-and-shoot 3s (which is a theme for Portis throughout his career), but he’s still been one of the Heat’s best players so far.
5. Pelle Larsson
Pelle Larsson also looked much better than in his first week, scoring a combined 35 points and dishing out 11 assists in his first two games this week. He did look more like his early-season self in the Laker game, turning the ball over four times and committing five fouls while looking a little behind on the offensive end. He looks worth his contract, at least.
4. Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson finally looks like himself after a brutal start to the season, which included a seven 3s performance against Indiana and a four 3s performance against the Lakers. Unfortunately, he continues to look like a weak point for a Miami defense that is flat-out bad right now. Still, he’s looking as advertised as a shooter.
3. Davion Mitchell
Davion Mitchell has been a great bright spot this season, and if the Heat were winning right now, they would be getting much more positive media coverage. All the questions about Mitchell as a point guard should be answered at this point, as the offense has been far from the main issue for the Heat. He’s making himself a lot of future money right now.
2. Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo recovered well this week, looking like the All-Star we know in his performances against the Hawks (24 points and nine rebounds) and the Pacers (27 points and nine rebounds). He was nowhere near aggressive enough in the Lakers game, but he’s still looking far better than the atrocious performances he started the season with.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing at an MVP level and is at least getting some more help from the rest of his roster. One note, though: he has absolutely regressed on defense. Still, he’s doing everything for the Heat, and if the team starts winning again, he will be in MVP conversations.
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