This current iteration of the Miami Heat is not your typical NBA team.
Since July’s departure of LeBron James, Heat president Pat Riley and the Heat organization have scrambled to create a competitive basketball team, and while injuries have limited Miami’s success they’ve been ultimately successful in creating something interesting, albeit it being an ongoing process. A lot of this comes from RIley’s willingness to sign veteran talent over unproven rookies, even if those veterans are considered “washed-up”.
With that, it’s interesting to see where Miami has succeeded and failed with their so-called “redemption experiments” this season.
Shannon Brown
Where were they?
Shannon Brown’s case is perplexing. I was initially happy with his signing, but his lack of success is puzzling. Brown came into Miami following two forgettable stints in 2013-2014 in both San Antonio and New York. Prior to the 29 games played in 2013-2014, Brown was one of the main personalities on the Phoenix Suns where he had two solid seasons averaging about 10.5 points per game.
What happened in Miami?
Brown’s role in Miami was clear from the start. He was to be Wade’s backup if Dwyane needed rest or befell injury. Well, Wade did encounter the injury bug in November where he hurt his hamstring, and Brown didn’t end up panning out. In the five games he played for the Heat he averaged four points, in 17 minutes per game. Perhaps his poor play was a result of low minutes, however every time he did play he looked lost in the system. Whatever the case, him being waived by the Heat opened up the roster spot that became Hassan Whiteside, so in the long run, I think things worked out. Still, I wish we could have seen a few posters with Brown in black and red.
Grade: C
Shannon Brown didn’t really have any impact on the Heat during his brief time with the organization. With that said his departure did open up the spot for Whiteside so with that considered he earns a passing grade.
Danny Granger
Where were they?
Danny Granger depresses me. Mostly because I remember when he was having his breakout season, and being compared to both Kobe Bryant and LeBron.
Following the 2008-2009 season Granger befell a series of injuries, the most major being patellar tendinosis that would keep him out of all but 5 games in the 2012-2013 season. Over this time Paul George would become the “man” in Indiana, so despite the standing ovation he received from the Bankers Life Fieldhouse when he finally returned in December 2013, he was on his way out of Indiana.
I was extremely surprised with Indiana shipped him out to Philly, mostly because he was thriving in his role on the team and finally regaining his rhythm. Of course, Granger wouldn’t play a game in Philadelphia and instead signed with the Los Angeles Clippers where he would encounter trouble with his hamstring, and play in only a handful of games before their playoff exit. Regardless, in the games he did play he played well enough to showcase that he was still capable at playing at a high level.
What happened in Miami?
I’m was initially surprised the Heat signed Granger during the offseason, especially after choosing not to pursue him when he was available post-Indiana. At the time, there seemed to be some lingering animosity after the way things were handled during the 2012 playoffs and it seemed counter-intuitive to a team trying to keep LeBron James.
After all he was quite vocal about Granger last season according to the Miami Herald:
Heat players would clearly prefer Butler; he and Dwyane Wade are close from their days as Heat teammates, and Granger irritated the Heat’s stars by getting in their faces after fouls in the 2012 playoffs. At the time, LeBron James called Granger’s conduct “stupid.”
Granger encountered some challenges with the Heat. Firstly, he was injured when he got to Miami and didn’t end up in the rotation for a while. However, when he did breach the rotation he was in a strange predicament. The season had already started, and Miami seemed to have a good thing going, this led to him starting some games and finding himself glued to the bench in others.
Granger did have a few good moments in Miami. On Christmas, he delivered in the clutch and that led to a string of games where he appeared to regain his confidence. This led to him finding himself as a solid member of Miami’s rotation and a series of speculative fantasy adds.
Shawne Williams
Where were they?
Shawne Williams is the definition of a journeyman at this point in his basketball career. He’s played for nine different NBA clubs and one international team. Prior to joining the Heat, Williams was part of the depleted Los Angeles Lakers team who were known for signing anybody to replace their injured players. Given this situation, WIlliams found himself bounced between the Lakers and the D-League and once the season came to a close. Williams kept moving forward, and worked extremely hard in the D-League, and many believe that’s what saved his career. SB Nation’s Tim Casey does an eloquent job walking us through his journey. Despite his woes, Riley elected to sign Williams and at the beginning of the season he was a much needed presence.
What happened in Miami?
Josh McRoberts‘ injury woes made Williams a starter, and he actually performed quite well as a member of the starting line-up – at least for a little while. In November, Williams was averaging 10.5 points, 5.1 rebounds all while shooting 50% from beyond the arc. Obviously injuries led to his inflated minutes (28.8) and the return of those players impacted them again in reverse, but theres no denying how effective Williams was early.
Ultimately, Williams found himself out of the rotation in the new year, and that led to him becoming expendable. Since the trade, one can find Williams head-butting other players, and starting unnecessary beef.
Grade: B
Williams last days in Miami may have not been pretty, but there’s no denying his effectiveness earlier in the season. Hopefully he finds success down the line.
Hassan Whiteside
Where were they?
Before Whiteside landed in Miami he was largely known as a bust whose attitude and immaturity would be the end of his NBA career. Though he had immense physical gifts, him being “put on blast” by his teammates had more views than any tape of his highlights.
Obviously at this point in the season, Whiteside’s journey is relatively well known, but for those who don’t know, his path has been relatively simple if not a real-life version of NBA 2K15’s career mode. Hassan was passed up by the majority of NBA teams and even spent time playing internationally. Despite other teams’ reluctance to sign him, Miami remained interested. Unfortunately, they were too late when Memphis elected to sign him earlier in the year. Luckily for Miami they assigned him to the D-League where the Heat grabbed him immediately. If you request a more in depth look at his story I recommend Kirk Goldsberry’s article on Grantland.
What happened in Miami?
Hassan has been nothing short of fantastic for Miami. Since becoming a main part of the rotation, Hassan has broken franchise records, and can put of 15, 10 and 10 effortlessly.
He’s become a fan favorite as well, especially after his NBA 2K comments following a great game against Chicago. Recently, Hassan has displayed something of a short fuse, getting in scuffles with big men, Alex Len and Kelly Olynik. Obviously after the Larry Sanders debacle this becomes a worry, however Whiteside is in the best position to succeed as he’s surrounded by great mentors in the Heat organization.
Grade: A+
This has been the NBA’s greatest redemption story (this season) and could very well be Riley’s greatest work. If Whiteside continues to play at a high level, he will have legitimate All-Star potential. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.
Bill Henry Walker
Where were they?
Before his days with the Heat, the former Bill Walker was known best for his short fuse as well as success with the New York Knicks. His journey is chronicled well by fellow SB Nation scribe Keith Schlosser, however his path is quite unique. After being waived by the Knicks, Walker found himself in the D-League where his personal issues caused his actual ability to take a back seat. With that being said after a stint internationally with the Alaska Aces, Walker returned to the Sioux Falls Skyforce with a renewed attitude — a possible consequence of Phil Weber (Walker’s assistant coach in NY) joining the coaching staff. Whatever the case, he performed well enough in the D-League to warrant a call-up to the Heat.
What happened in Miami?
Walker has been decent for the Heat, earning himself a guaranteed contact for the remainder of the season. Though I only have a small sample size to work with there are notable things about Walker that I’m sure encouraged Miami to keep him on the team. Walker is tireless, he’s constantly moving at his fastest and while this works sometimes, it also causes him to lose control. Additionally, Walker isn’t scared to shoot, and that’s as bad as it is good. Walker misses a lot of shots, but tends to hit big shots even when he appears cold.