It has been a season filled with ups and downs for the Miami Heat, who are currently sitting at the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference ahead of this week's play-in tournament. A lot of the season has been similar to last season with their seeding and roster problems; most notably health-wise. Coach Erik Spoelstra has proven to be the most underrated coach in the entire NBA, especially after inking an extension that made him the richest coach in the association.
However, he has repeatedly been dealt with the tough task to build a reputable contending team with core pieces being in and out of the lineup. Miami has suffered the fifth most missed games with their players this year, trailing only the Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks. The Heat are also near the top of the league in most different starting lineups with 35.
Some of this is because of Terry Rozier’s acquisition for Kyle Lowry mid-season and sophomore Nikola Jovic’s emergence, but most of these changes are because of health. Spoelstra has done his best working with what he has had, but it could take a toll come playoff time when there isn’t as much chemistry and cohesion among rotations that the Heat would want.
There are so many team-wide questions regarding this roster heading into the playoffs. But for now, let’s dive into one big question for each player of Miami’s 15-man roster.
Jimmy Butler:
At 34 years old, does Jimmy Butler have another “Playoff Jimmy” type of run left in him?
Bam Adebayo:
Can Adebayo be aggressive offensively at a consistent pace this postseason?
Tyler Herro:
With Herro sporting 44% from the field and 40% from deep this season, can he be efficient enough during a potential fully healthy playoff run?
Terry Rozier:
Will Rozier’s neck spasm concerns carry into the playoffs? Can he get back to full strength and capabilities in time?
Duncan Robinson:
When Robinson came back from his left facet injury, it was clear he wasn’t fully recovered and it negatively affected the team. Are his back issues going to shut him down the entire playoffs?
Kevin Love:
Can Love still produce at a high level in spurts during an entire postseason?
Caleb Martin:
Martin has been a streaky shooter during his Heat tenure. Can he find a way to be more consistent and efficient in that department, especially from 3-point range?
Nikola Jovic:
Will a playoff stage as a starter for this Heat team be too much for the 20-year old sophomore Jovic?
Jaime Jaquez Jr:
Can Jaquez crack coach Erik Spoelstra’s playoff rotation despite his struggles the past few months?
Haywood Highsmith:
Will Highsmith’s wing defense earn a regular playoff rotation spot, or will he play in spot minutes?
Thomas Bryant:
Will Bryant be ready for the moment if his number is called in spot minutes to potentially match the size of opposing teams?
Orlando Robinson:
Barring any injuries to the big-man rotation, is Robinson trustworthy enough to step up for the Heat?
Delon Wright:
Similar to Highsmith, can Wright’s point of attack defense on the perimeter be valuable in spot minutes? Barring any injuries, would Wright be able to step into a bigger role?
Patty Mills:
If there are any injuries to Herro or Rozier in the backcourt, can Mills provide enough efficient 3-point shooting to step into a role?
Cole Swider, Alondes Williams, Jamal Cain (two-ways):
With the impending free agency decisions for Caleb Martin and Haywood Highsmith, are any of the three current two-way guys able to make a jump? Can they earn a regular roster and/or rotation spot next season?