Miami Heat: 2017-18 NBA season preview

Storyline 1: The starting small forward conundrum

There were big expectations entering last season on the exciting young duo of Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson. Having just completed their rookie seasons in impressive fashion, these two were expected to take a huge leap forward following the final breakup of the Big Three.

However, things didn’t turn out as planned. Winslow played in just 18 games due to a season-ending shoulder injury, while Richardson played in just 53 games due to a variety of ailments.

Now entering their third season in the league, the duo is seemingly on a collision course to compete for the starting small forward role. Due to the lengthy absences of Winslow and Richardson, the Heat featured somewhat of a rotating cast throughout this spot, with unheralded rookie Rodney McGruder filling in for large portions of the season.

When assessing the starting small forward role, each of these two have something distinctively different to bring to the table. Winslow’s greatest strength is the defensive end, where his ability to cover players on the perimeter and on the low block makes him an extremely versatile option. Furthermore, his increased playmaking and passing ability that was on show in his short stint on the court last season certainly gives the Heat a different look at this position.

https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/914622353593815040

With Richardson, his main point of difference is his ability to hit the 3-point shot and play off the ball. Whereas Winslow shot a ghastly 20 percent from long range last season, Richardson shot at a 33 percent clip, having shot at a 46.1 percent clip as a rookie when fully healthy. It wasn’t until the very end of last season, when Richardson had regained his health, and the Heat were in hot pursuit of a playoff spot, that his true value was realized.

Over the final six games of the season, Richardson averaged 15.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. Most notably, he converted at a 53.1 percent clip from downtown on 5.3 attempts per game.

https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/914637212767145984

But throwing a spanner in the works to kick off the preseason action was the insertion by coach Spolestra of McGruder as the starting small forward. While he started 65 games last season, it was expected that it would be a race between the duo of Winslow and Richardson to grab the starting spot.

Strictly a “3-and-D” player, McGruder is the most limited of the trio, and his insertion into the lineup would be strictly as a complementary piece to the other players on the floor.

But whichever way coach Spoelstra decides to turn, the Heat will be comforted in the knowledge that they have a number of legitimate options to start at the 3.