Searching for continuity
Heat’s expected cohesion resulting only in confusion
The continuity angle had been overstated from the outset, with Dion Waiters and James Johnson yet to return to the mix from last season’s injuries and with a series of early-season absences that have had Dwyane Wade, Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside, Justise Winslow and Wayne Ellington away from the team at various points. Cohesion?
More like confusion for the Miami Heat through this 5-7 start, with 24 and 19 turnovers, respectively, in the back-to-back losses to the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards leading up to Monday’s close of this four-game homestand against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The defensive end? “We had moments where we competed defensively and we had other moments where I didn’t recognize our team,” coach Erik Spoelstra said of Saturday’s collapse against the Wizards.
The offensive end? “There were some that I have never even seen before,” Spoelstra said of the turnovers. “There were some [Saturday] that were a little bit perplexing.”
The nameplates at AmericanAirlines Arena are same as they ever were, with 14 players back from last season’s roster. But the early-season churn through six starting lineups in 12 games and numerous other rotation adjustments has the timing off, the turnovers up and the defensive rotations down pat.
The defensive end? “I think a lot of the games we are scoring enough points to be winning, but we are just not doing our jobs on the defensive end,” guard Josh Richardson said.
“There are a lot of different factors that we have to figure out. We just have to go back to the drawing board because what we are doing right now isn’t working.”
The offensive end? “I think there is a lot of indecisiveness,” Richardson said. “I think that is probably our biggest thing. I think we can get some more movement within our plays that we are just not really doing. I think we are letting defenses get to set.”
The result has the Heat ranked 16th in the NBA in offensive rating, 14th in defensive rating, about as middle of the pack as the team’s overall performance. hardly The defensive end? “There’s a couple of times in our defense where we have some lapses or someone’s not on the same page,” forward Rodney McGruder said. “Everyone has to be on the same page out there on the floor. We showed stretches of that, we just have to be more consistent.”
The offensive end? “It’s just guys trying to make the right plays and just getting hung up,” McGruder said of the turnovers. “I had a couple of those, as well. I think our hearts are in the right place when we’re trying to make those decisions. The ball might get deflected or something like that. It’s just something we have to try and limit.”
No matter which side of the ball, opponents with great offseason turnover have shown stability at the moments of truth that now have the Heat with losses in five of their last seven.
“I just think we have to come together collectively,” Ellington said. “We haven’t done that yet consistently. We have a good defensive game here and there and then the next one will be a different team.
“It is strange for us. We all know each other and are used to each other. We just have to figure it out. We have to communicate and have to take that step forward. We have been talking about it for a little while now and it is time to take action.”
To a degree, it already is past that point, the Heat having failed to take advantage of an early-season schedule loaded with home games and matchups against opponents not considered playoff contenders.
“I know we have had a few different lineups and guys in and out of them a little bit,” Ellington said. “There is no excuse. We are a veteran team. Like I said, we all know each other and are used to each other. That is an area that we can control. We have to do a better job.”