#miami-heat

#miami-heat

We kill the Bulls for being on the treadmill of mediocrity, how long are we going to allow Miami to get away with this as well? - I'm tired of this thing like 'we're whale hunters!' Then they never do.... Don't come out and say we're whale hunters because it just doesn't happen anymore. Not even smart moves around the edges, maybe make a few moves to get assets back. Then be ready when the Giannis trade comes. They don't

Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum (Achilles) OUT John Tonje (trade pending) AVAILABLE Max Shulga (g-league) OUT Miami Heat: Tyler Herro (ribs) OUT Terry Rozier (not with team) OUT Boston Celtics: Derrick White, G Jaylen Brown, G Sam Hauser, F Luka Garza, F Neemias Queta, C Miami Heat: Davion Mitchell, G Norman Powell, G/F Pelle Larsson, G/F Andrew Wiggins, F Bam Adebayo, C Tipoff: 7:30 PM EST

After another failed superstar pursuit, it's finally time to admit that the Miami Heat's old-school approach may be costing them the opportunity to build championship teams in the modern game. That much became abundantly clear in the team's swing-and-miss of Giannis Antetokounmpo, coupled with their refusal to pivot at this year's NBA Trade Deadline. Heat writer Barry Jackson said the quiet part out loud about the team's biggest philosophical problem - they refuse to compile the assets needed to acquire superstars because they'd much rather be a mediocre playoff team than a lottery one.

In somewhat of a surprising move, the 76ers traded Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for a first-round pick and three second-round picks. It's a move that may not make much sense now, especially with McCain in just his second season, but it's also a trade that could pay dividends for the team in the future.

The three-game stretch was odd, to say the least, given the outcomes of the games and the final scores. Miami won one game close, by three points, and another in a blowout by 43 points. In between, Miami lost a closer game, but still by seven points. Going 2-1 isn't bad, but Miami should have taken all three against Chicago because they are the better team.

Some fans don't understand it, but it's easy to see why Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra values Dru Smith. It's because he falls right in line with previous developmental success stories of guards who can't really shoot the basketball efficiently, but can do virtually everything else. Smith epitomizes Heat culture, and in small doses, has proven to be quite productive for the organization. Perhaps most importantly, he's a true competitor. And that's what Spo has to like best.

Ware is not a throw-in for the Rising Stars game, either; he's participating because he's one of the NBA's best young players. He's also one of the top talented young players at the center position, not to mention with the Heat. That said, his season has had more ups and downs than his rookie year did, and he's having a better season by the numbers, yet he's fallen out of Miami's rotation more often than not lately.

That's why all roads for the Lakers could lead to Wiggins and the Heat. The Lakers have been linked to Wiggins before, and he does fit the bill of what they could be looking for. As Miami continues to see a pathway to acquire more first-round picks in an attempt to beef up its pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, this could be a move that is viewed as a huge win-win for both sides.

For a team that has generally owned the Magic historically, the Heat have now lost six out of their last eight games against Orlando. But none may have been as frustrating as how things played out in their most recent affair. The Heat held a nine-point lead over the Magic heading into halftime. Miami would be outscored by 20 points in the third quarter, and the Magic never looked back.