12. Miami Heat
Starters – Goran Dragic, Tyler Johnson, Justise Winslow, Chris Bosh, Hassan Whiteside
Bench – Josh Richardson, Dion Waiters, James Johnson, Derrick Williams, Willie Reed
I really am pulling for Chris Bosh to play basketball again, so I’ll insert him into the starting lineup.
The 2 guard spot is the hardest position to project in this starting five after Wade’s departure, as any of Johnson (who the Heat matched a 4 yr. $50M offer sheet for), Richardson (a gem found in the second round of last year’s draft), or even Waiters could start. For now, I’ll go with the guy they’re paying the most.
Josh Richardson is 6-foot-6 but plays like a PG and can really shoot it lights out from beyond the arc, and I really enjoy watching him play. (You should catch up and figure out who he is if you haven’t already). He’s the best option they have at the backup PG position unless Johnson gets moved to the bench so, yeah.
Waiters Island has found a new home in beautiful Miami, Florida and will look to prove that his time in OKC wasn’t a fluke for a more lucrative contract next offseason. I think he will improve, and beat out head-scratching signees Wayne Ellington and Rodney McGruder. It’s not that either player is bad per say, it’s just that they technically have 6 SGs on the roster.
James Johnson was the team’s best option at the 3 and the 4 outside of Ross in Toronto (marginally better, I might add), but inexplicably was moved to the bench every time the team started doing well. He’ll look to improve the shaky bench play from South Beach last season.
Derrick Williams continued to frustrate NBA fans whilst in the Big Apple last season, having another up and down season, but the Heat are only asking him to produce off the bench and not start, so that’s a plus. Look for a lot of fast break dunks from him.
If you haven’t heard the name Willie Reed, you should, because he has massive amounts of untapped potential who could be a steal for the Heat by season’s end. Turn on your player notifications for him, and monitor his play closely this season.
This unit has more potential than people realize, but needs to stay healthy to achieve it.
Next: No. 11