NBA Miami Heat

2014-15 Miami Heat Midseason Grades and Analysis

2014-15 Miami Heat Midseason Grades

Chris Andersen, Hassan Whiteside
David Banks- USA Today Sports

The Miami Heat have had one tumultuous season so far, drifting below the .500 mark and dealing with a slew of unforeseen injuries. Expectations for this team have dipped quite a bit, but there is still plenty of time for the Heat to make a run at a decent seed in the Eastern Conference. Here are the 2014-15 midseason grades for Miami.

Coach Erik Spoelstra

Erik Spoelstra
Sam Sharpe- USA Today Sports

Coach Erik Spoelstra

Erik Spoelstra
Sam Sharpe- USA Today Sports

Any professional coach who loses the best basketball player on the planet is bound to have a turbulent year. Coach Erik Spoelstra has done an above average job of keeping this team afloat, but his stubbornness in flexing both the offense and defense to the Heat’s new roster is enough to keep his grade well below a B, just like the Heat are currently well below the .500 mark.

Grade: C

10. Shabazz Napier

Shabazz Napier
Kelly L. Cox- USA Today Sports

10. Shabazz Napier

Shabazz Napier
Kelly L. Cox- USA Today Sports

The rookie point guard out of University of Connecticut has done an admirable job, averaging 5.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists on 37 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent from beyond the arc. Napier’s efficiency still leaves a lot to be desired, but his ball-handling abilities are coming along nicely, the exact sort of thing the Heat envisioned when they signed the first round draft pick this past summer.

Grade: C-

9. James Ennis

James Ennis
Chris Humphreys- USA Today Sports

9. James Ennis

James Ennis
Chris Humphreys- USA Today Sports

James Ennis has seen limited minutes this season, and because of this, he hasn’t really had a chance to make a serious impact. Only averaging 14 minutes a game, Ennis is currently putting up a measly 3.8 points and 2.4 rebounds. When given the opportunity, Ennis can shine, like his game against the Boston Celtics this season when he scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

Grade: C-

8. Danny Granger

Danny Granger
Steve Mitchell- USA Today Sports

8. Danny Granger

Danny Granger
Steve Mitchell- USA Today Sports

The Heat undoubtedly expected more out of Danny Granger than what he is currently delivering. Although injuries have to be taken into consideration, this once prime All-Star is averaging just 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds on a ridiculously low 41 percent shooting from the field. Thought to be a potential sixth man this summer for the Heat, Granger’s below average play has delegated him to the 8th or 9th man off the bench.

Grade: C

7. Shawne Williams

Shawne Williams
Chris Humphreys- USA Today Sports

7. Shawne Williams

Shawne Williams
Chris Humphreys- USA Today Sports

Shawne Williams started off the season strong for the Miami Heat as the starting power forward, but since his delegation to the second unit, he has struggled to gain any consistency to his game. The one positive out of Williams' play this season has been his career-high shooting percentage from beyond the arc (40.7 percent).

Grade: C+

6. Mario Chalmers

Mario Chalmers
Kyle Terada- USA Today Sports

6. Mario Chalmers

Mario Chalmers
Kyle Terada- USA Today Sports

This season has really been a tale of two Marios. Some games he seems like he is one of the best players on the court, and other times, it’s hard to watch how sloppy and irresponsible he can be with the ball. Chalmers is currently averaging 10.7 points (career high), 4.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds, plus 1.6 steals. His inability to play consistently might cost him his future with the Heat.

Grade: C+

5. Chris Andersen

Chris Andersen
Steve Mitchell- USA Today Sports

5. Chris Andersen

Chris Andersen
Steve Mitchell- USA Today Sports

One of the staples of the Heat’s frontcourt, Chris Andersen, at age 38, has been one of the team’s better defenders this season, averaging 5.1 rebounds and 1.0 block per game. His age unfortunately is beginning to show, which couldn’t come at a worse time as the Heat are playing him an average of 20.1 minutes per game, which is the second highest average of his career.

Grade: B-

4. Luol Deng

Luol Deng
Brian Spurlock- USA Today Sports

4. Luol Deng

Luol Deng
Brian Spurlock- USA Today Sports

Luol Deng is having a breakout season with Miami, shooting a career-high 50 percent from the field and 37 percent from beyond the arc. His ability to slash and cut into the paint has been wondrous for a Heat offense that at times can become very stagnant. His career-low rebounding numbers are truly the only reason why Deng didn’t receive an A.

Grade: B+

3. Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh
Gary A. Vasquez- USA Today Sports

3. Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh
Gary A. Vasquez- USA Today Sports

A max contract player in the NBA should be doing a lot more than what Chris Bosh is currently averaging, which is 21.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists a game. The Heat have needed Bosh to be a lot more aggressive in the paint, and the fact that he is only posting up in 30 percent of his shots, plus only averaging 0.5 blocks a game, is not a good representation of an All-Star power forward.

Grade: B

2. Hassan Whiteside

Hassan Whiteside
Kelley L. Cox- USA Today Sports

2. Hassan Whiteside

Hassan Whiteside
Kelley L. Cox- USA Today Sports

Is there any better feel-good story in the NBA than that of Hassan Whiteside exploding onto the scene? Neglected by 29 other teams, Whiteside finally found a home in Miami, and is making the most of it by giving the Heat a dimension they haven’t had since the days of Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning. Averaging 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in just 15 minutes per game is just ridiculous.

Grade: A

1. Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade
Gary A. Vasquez- USA Today Sports

1. Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade
Gary A. Vasquez- USA Today Sports

Dwyane Wade has returned to being the face and voice of the Miami Heat, and his play has reflected this change, averaging 21.7 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals a game while shooting 49 percent from the field and 30 percent from beyond the arc. Wade is also the league leader in points scored in the fourth quarter. Calling him Mr. Clutch is an understatement.

Grade: A-

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