From Inside The Heat · · 3m
4 Players Who Need to Pick Up Miami Heat's 0-4 Streak
Miami Heat's 0-4 start forces four key players to step up: Bam Adebayo, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Tim Hardaway Jr.
In brief
Miami Heat's 0-4 start forces four key players to step up: Bam Adebayo, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Tim Hardaway Jr. Miami Heat's 0-4 start requires Bam Adebayo, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Tim Hardaway Jr. to improve their performance to avoid further losses. Originally reported by Inside The Heat.
Erik Spoelstra's Motivational Slogans
Erik Spoelstra has loosely lifted from popular culture for motivational slogans, even if the reference isn't clear to everyone.
“beauty in the struggle”
Heat's Unique Struggle
Spoelstra's Heat has fallen in the NBA Finals, not failing to win any of their first four games to win a season.
Four Core Players Struggling
Four of the projected core eight players in the rotation are struggling to a degree that it's best to avert your eyes.
The Four Players
Bam Adebayo, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Tim Hardaway Jr. are the four players struggling.
Veterans' Background
Four veterans, two of whom have won NBA championships, one of whom has played in two NBA Finals and one of whom reached an NCAA Championship final.
Bam Adebayo's Role
Bam Adebayo was supposed to be the stellar defensive complement to Giannis, wrecking dragonball havoc with dual tenacity and athleticism.
Bam Adebayo's Current Struggle
Bam Adebayo is tentative, reactionary and ineffective, flummoxed by Giannis operating in his old spaces.
Bam Adebayo's Solution
Erik Spoelstra can help Bam Adebayo by using him as more of an offensive hub when Giannis sits.
Andrew Wiggins' Role
Andrew Wiggins was supposed to be the third option on offense, building on a career-best three-point shooting season.
Andrew Wiggins' Current Struggle
Andrew Wiggins has made 2 of 16 three-pointers and is not stopping anyone.
Andrew Wiggins' Solution
Miami needs to get stops to get out in transition, where Wiggins can get easy ones.
Klay Thompson's Role
Klay Thompson was projected to serve as a starting floor-spacer after injuries.
Klay Thompson's Current Struggle
Klay Thompson has a 33.3 percent shooting rate on 8.3 attempts per game.
Klay Thompson's Solution
Klay Thompson needs to make 3-of-8 threes during limited minutes to keep defenses honest.
Tim Hardaway Jr.'s Role
Tim Hardaway Jr. was supposed to be the innings-eater after a promising preseason.
Tim Hardaway Jr.'s Current Struggle
Tim Hardaway Jr. has a 20 percent shooting rate, including 19 percent from three.
Tim Hardaway Jr.'s Solution
Tim Hardaway Jr. needs to relax and find his spots in the offense.
The takeaway
Miami Heat's 0-4 start requires Bam Adebayo, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Tim Hardaway Jr. to improve their performance to avoid further losses.
