25Aug

Key Contributors for the Miami Heat in 2015-2016

Everyone knows the Miami Heat have Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. If the Heat are to be successful in the upcoming season, they’ll need them to be at the top of their games and stay healthy. To contend for a title, they’ll need a supporting cast to build off of last season or step up and become a bigger contributor. Let’s take a look at who some of these players can be.

Hassan Whiteside – Center

Whiteside burst onto the scene last season after spending most of his career in the D-League. Originally an early 2nd round pick by the Sacramento Kings in 2010, the 7 foot Whiteside played in just 19 career NBA games prior to his call-up to the Heat. In 48 games and 32 starts for the Heat, Whiteside averaged 11.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, while shooting 63% from the floor in just 23.8 minutes a night. He’ll need to continue on this path next season for the Heat to contend in the ever-so improving Eastern Conference.

Goran Dragic – Guard

Goran Dragic

Goran Dragic

Dragic was acquired last season in a trade with the Phoenix Suns and resigned with the Heat following this past season. Dragic brings an interesting dynamic. With a backcourt of Wade and Dragic, you don’t really have a true point guard. But what you do have is two guys who can both handle point guard duties and bring something else to the table. Dragic is a great outsider shooter and Wade is a slasher. He’s a proficient shooter from the field, three point range, and the free throw line and can also rebound well for the guard position.

Amar’e Stoudemire – Center/Power Forward

With Amar’e Stoudemire signing for the veterans minimum at $1.5 million, the Heat are essentially trying to catch lightning in a bottle. A low risk, high reward type deal, if Stoudemire can return to All-Star form then the Heat have themselves a great value pick and a formidable player to add to a team nucleus that consists of Dwyane Wade, Goran Dragic, Chris Bosh, Luol Deng, Hassan Whiteside, Chris Anderson, and 1st round pick Justise Winslow. If he doesn’t pan out, well the Heat are still rather deep with big men that can play with Anderson, Whiteside, Bosh, Haslem, and McRoberts.