MIAMI – In their first season with LeBron James, the Miami Heat went to the NBA Finals. In their first season without him in 2014-15, it was evident the decline from the Big Three to the new era of Heat basketball was dramatic.
Coach Erik Spoelstra and president Pat Riley might be in the minority, but the Heat brass expect the franchise’s step back from contender to playoff observer to be short-lived.
On Wednesday night, when the Heat plays host to Charlotte to tip off Year Two of the Life After LeBron Era, Miami intends to prove it has moved on, meshing the methodical style of Dwyane Wade with the breakneck speed of Goran Dragic.
The backcourt duo played together for just two months late last season. And so far, if the preseason is any indication, the chemistry has not been perfect.
“They just need more time to work it through,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of his starting lineup, which also includes forwards Luol Deng and Chris Bosh and center Hassan Whiteside. “They’re trying to make it work.”
The Heat (37-45) missed the playoffs last season, and the loss of King James was obviously the biggest factor. It wasn’t the only one.
Beyond LBJ jetting back to Cleveland, the main problem for the Heat last season was injuries. Bosh missed 38 games, Wade missed 20, and forward Josh McRoberts, who was supposed to be a key piece, missed 65 games.
In addition, Dragic, acquired just before the trade deadline, played just 26 games for Miami, and Whiteside, a free agent “discovery,” played only 48 games.
“It’s a little bit congested right now,” Bosh said about Miami’s on-court spacing, especially within the starting lineup. “We’re not playing together. It’s early, but we have to have a sense of what our style is, and we have to understand it.”
The Heat added two veterans to the mix this past offseason, signing 6-8 wing Gerald Green, who turns 30 in January, and 6-10 power forward Amar’e Stoudemire, who turns 33 next month. They have one commonality as shoot-first players who don’t provide much defense.
Stoudemire, who has been robbed of much of his explosiveness due to a string of injuries, averaged 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds in 59 games last season. Green averaged 11.9 points.
Miami also drafted two players, 6-8 wing Justise Winslow out of Duke in the first round and 6-6 guard Josh Richardson of Tennessee in the second. Both come in with solid defensive reputations, but perimeter shooting is an issue, especially for Winslow.
Barring injuries, the rookies should not be much of a factor on a team that has a sense of urgency.
Miami’s main focus is blending and bonding its starting five, which is an interesting mix. Beyond the different speed settings in the backcourt, the Heat is starting a true center in Whiteside in an era where small ball wins.
The 2015 MVP trophy and championship ring, both property of Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry, are a case in point. Another is James, who will play some power forward with the Cavaliers this season. Kevin Durant will do the same with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Yet the Heat, who popularized “position-less” basketball, are now reversing field, going against the surging trend, and playing with a more traditional basketball lineup.
One of the main apparent weaknesses in the Heat starting five is the lack of 3-point shooting.
Among those who played at least half the season, the Heat’s leader in 3-point percentage last year was wing Shawne Williams. The Heat let him walk in free agency after he made 39.5 percent from deep.
Perimeter shooters are vital for Miami to open up driving lanes for Wade and Dragic and post-up space for Whiteside. McRoberts (.421 percent) and Bosh (.375) showed they could shoot 3-pointers last season before getting hurt. If they are healthy and similarly accurate, that will go a long way toward providing space.
Green will also provide perimeter shooting, and backup guard Tyler Johnson, 23, has potential if given the opportunity.
“We could use more shooting,” Bosh acknowledged.
Other concerns are Whiteside’s temper – he has been known to pick up frustration fouls and ejections in bunches – and the overall age of the team.
Dragic and Whiteside are the only starters under 30. The six key veterans off the bench – Green, Stoudemire, McRoberts, guard Mario Chalmers and power forwards Chris Andersen and Udonis Haslem – have an average age of 32.
It’s a team built – Heat executives boast — to win immediately, challenging James’ Cavaliers for Eastern Conference supremacy.
And the Heat players are certainly aware of what team they’re chasing.
“LeBron knows we’re coming for them,” Wade said last week in a televised interview. “They’re at the top of the Eastern Conference. Everybody’s coming for them. They’re battling a lot of injuries. But they’re still Eastern Conference champs. Everybody better respect them.”
–Walter Villa covers the Miami Heat for The Sports Xchange.