Monday, July 2, 2012

Miami Heat Roster: Analysis of the Young Guys

As free agency is under way, the Heat are currently looking at players like Ray Allen or Greg Oden (click here for more info on potential free agent targets). The Heat have many holes, the most prominent being a reliable wing man to come off the bench and provide 3 point shooting and that can play good defense and space the floor. We currently have Shane Battier, Mike Miller and James Jones filling this role, but with both Miller and Jones considering retirement, we will need a replacement. Another big need for the Heat is a reliable big man. They don't need a dominant scorer, but someone who can take over the boards, provide solid paint defense and can grab rebounds. The Heat didn't have any player last year who can do that other than Ronny Turiaf and Eddy Curry, one of whom wasn't ideal for that anyways and is leaving, and the other had played exactly 0 minutes all season and is leaving as well. Both of those roles are big needs for the Heat, but, what if there are some players already on the roster who can fill those needs? That's what I'm going to take a look at, some young Heat players that may step up and fill these needs (note: I did not include rookie Justin Hamilton because I already posted an analysis of him here).

Wing Men
Terrel Harris, 2nd year SG, 6'4", 190 lbs
After coming out undrafted in 2009, Harris bounced around between the European League and the D-League before getting a camp invite with the Heat. He had a completely dominant game during the preseason against the Orlando Magic, and his performance there merited a roster spot on the final 15-man roster. Harris played sparingly throughout the season, but had two very good performances if his limited minutes that showed the potential he has. On January 5th, against the Atlanta Hawks, Harris saw his playing time receive a huge spike due to the fact that starters Dwayne Wade and Lebron James, along with off-the-bench wing man Mike Miller were all out for the game due to injuries. While Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers will get most of the credit for that amazing triple-overtime win, Harris quietly had the best game of his career, putting up 9 points and a shocking (for someone his size) 14 rebounds. Another shining moment for him was on April 6th, when he put up a career high 10 points against the Memphis Grizzlies in limited time. Harris is a very good 3-point shooter, and is also a good defender off the bench, which is just what the Heat need. Harris has a lot of upside and could have a very good showing this year with improved minutes.

Big Men
Dexter Pittman, 3rd year C, 6'11", 285 lbs
Pittman might be more of a familiar name among these, being the only one that has started a game. Pittman was selected in the 2nd round by the Heat in 2010, and played in the D-league for that season to help lose weight and to develop his basketball skills. This past season, he was brought back on to the Heat roster, and actually received some minutes towards the end of the season. Pittman is an overall decent big man. He isn't really known for doing anything very well, but is overall a decent big man. He is an OK rebounder, shot blocker and post scorer, not really standing out in any category. This worries me because there is not one real talent that they can develop and have him specialize in.

Jarvis Varnado, 3rd year PF, 6'9", 220 lbs
Varnado, along with Pittman, was selected by the Heat in the 2nd round of the 2010 draft, but has been playing for an Italian team and an Israeli team to develop his talents. While he has been bouncing around, the Heat still retain exclusive NBA rights to him, and may call him in this year. Varnado, unlike Pittman, does have one specialty that can be developed, he is a dominating defender. This is helped by his 7'4" wingspan and incredibly long arms. He was one of the best shot-blockers in the nation, having led the NCAA in shot blocks two years in a row. He is the SEC's all-time career record holder for shots-blocked and is 2nd all-time in NCAA Division-I basketball for shots blocked, being only 8 blocks away from the record. In addition, he is also a great rebounder, helped by his long arms. He is one of the only 2 players in NCAA history to surpass the 1,000/1,000/500 mark for points/rebounds/blocks. Despite his defensive dominance, his lack of a consistent offensive game may hold him back, but on a team with scoring big men like Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem, he won't have to be a dominant scorer, and his defense should carry him to a roster spot this year.

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