Kenny Smith calls the Miami Heat “the most dangerous team in the East” come playoff time, and Greg Anthony thinks that “they are built for the postseason” if they can just make it there healthy. Despite what the retired NBA veterans said, the team still finds themselves in the midst of an interesting roster dilemma.
Amar‘e Stoudemire is averaging 9.3 points and 8.1 rebounds as the team’s de facto starting center. He even did his best Hassan Whiteside impersonation by pulling off four blocked shots against the Dallas Mavericks, while the man who lost his starting position — due to an oblique injury — did more than chip in with 10 points, nine rebounds and five blocks.
Figuring out how to keep both players engaged and contributing would seem like a major problem, but it is a good one to have. Miami’s true roster dilemma is in the lack of three-point shooting that has plagued them all season. This lack of shooting that pushed Chris Bosh‘s smooth stroke so far to the forefront that his almost team leading 37 percent clip has him in the All-Star weekend’s three-point shooting contest.
When you read it out loud it doesn’t sound so bad, until you realize that the Heat’s top shooter from behind that arc (Tyler Johnson) is now out indefinitely after having shoulder surgery. Not only does it take away Miami’s only other long-range threat, but it also eliminates their alternative wing option. This means they will have to ride or die on the wave of streaky shooting from Gerald Green, because Josh Richardson is just too young to depend on. And then there is nothing else unless someone like Joe Johnson or Kevin Martin shakes loose, which would first need a few things to happen.
For one, Miami would have to make a move by February’s trade deadline to not only free up a roster spot but get under the luxury tax line that they have been whispering about all season. Next, the Minnesota Timberwolves or Brooklyn Nets would have to cut ties with Martin or Johnson in some form of a buyout, with the Heat hoping that either veteran would not mind signing on with a winner for the mid-level exception.
That, of course, means overlooking their slumping years as simple aberrations of being on teams with a combined record of 27-74. It seems safe to assume that being on a team with proven scorers would help to move Martin’s three-point shooting up from 36 percent to an area closer to his career average of 39. The same goes for Johnson who suddenly regained his passion the last month and five days, shooting 46 percent from three.
Less pressure would equal less reasons to disappear and Miami on the road to a more complete roster.
