The Miami Heat's player development is among the NBA's best

The Miami Heat have become one of the NBA’s best in player development. Their 12-game win streak is just further proof of that.

It goes without saying, the Miami Heat have lost some star power over the past few seasons. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade went home. Chris Bosh is in limbo due to his health. Out of necessity, Miami has had to adapt.

Don’t get me wrong, they still have some pull with big name free agents. They were, after all, one of just six teams that Kevin Durant agreed to meet with in free agency last summer. But as we all know, Durant didn’t choose the Heat.

So how is it possible for a team with no legitimate star on it to win 12 games in a row, setting an NBA record in the process?

The Heat, after starting the season 11-30, have tied the Golden State Warriors for the longest win streak of the season. They are now just two games out of 8th-place in the Eastern Conference. That’s without Wade, without Bosh, without James and without Durant. Again… how?

Looking for Answers

Aside from the most obvious point–that coach Erik Spoelstra is a wizard–there’s got to be something else pushing Miami to these new heights. Out of the dark recesses of tanking, and into the light that is the brink of the NBA Playoffs.

For research purposes, let’s take a look at this lovely highlight video provided by the NBA of the Heat’s 12-game streak. Maybe there will be something to surmise from it.

What immediately jumps out is the type of player leading the charge. It’s been a mix of castaways and guys who came up through the D-League that have taken Miami on this implausible run. In fact, the only player who doesn’t fall into either one of those categories is Goran Dragic.

Aside from him, you have Dion Waiters, who is on his third team in five seasons. James Johnson, who rarely left the bench prior to this year. Hassan Whiteside, whose story we all know far too well by now. Willie Reed, Tyler Johnson, Rodney McGruder, Okaro White, the list goes on and on.

The Heat, somewhat quietly, have become one of the best teams in the NBA at developing players. They turn laughingstocks into 20 point-per-game scorers, undrafted guys into team captains, and relative nobodies into vital assets.

Maybe it’s time we stop doubting the process. Fans are split over the win streak, as many of them supported the tanking route. But if the Heat are going to continue finding contributors out of seemingly nowhere, that makes the draft just slightly less important, doesn’t it?

Jan 23, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) is pressured by Miami Heat guard Rodney McGruder (17) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Can they keep this incredible hit-rate going?

I suppose you can question the sustainability of Miami’s approach. But considering what they got out of Udonis Haslem and Joel Anthony, and the fact that long-time project Briante Weber just got signed by the best team in basketball, I think they’ve earned the benefit of the doubt.

Further, it’s not as if the Heat are picking up players blindly. They bring in (or promote from their D-League affiliate) guys who they think will fit their system. High-effort, high-energy players who attack both sides of the ball with equal gusto, and can be ingrained into Miami’s locker room culture.

Coach Spo talked about it just last night.

“It’s more about a group of players coming together to form an identity as a team, to embrace each other, embrace the culture, embrace defending with purpose,” Spoelstra said. “Our mindset is not going to change right now. It’s not about the wins or the streak, or any of that. It’s about continuing trying to get better.”

In those six minutes of interview, he said a couple of words that especially stood out to me. They came when he was asked a question about McGruder’s latest masterful performance. Spo responded that the previous night’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks was one for “competitors only.”

Seems like a fitting slogan for the Heat’s season. Or maybe of their entire tenure as a franchise. Miami Heat Basketball: Competitors Only. (Can we get that on a shirt, please?)

The Heat still have Keith Benson waiting in the wings, and recently announced the signing of Malcolm Georges-Hunt. Don’t be surprised when you see either (or both) of those guys diving for loose balls, blocking shots, or making other winning plays. At this point, we should simply expect it. It is, after all, the Heat’s way.

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