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Miami Heat: 5 predictions for the 2018-19 NBA season

BySimon Smith|
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 21: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks on in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 21: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks on in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
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(Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

2. Kelly Olynyk is a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year award

Following a natural adjustment period in new surroundings and a new team, Kelly Olynyk more than came into his own last season. After averaging just 18.4 minutes per game in his first 16 appearances in a Heat uniform, Olynyk gradually became more and more influential as he gained the trust of coach Spoelstra’s and his teammates.

With his ability as a seven-footer to step out onto the perimeter and act as both a floor-spacer and an additional playmaker, Olynyk’s unique versatility simply gave coach Spoelstra a plethora of options when it came to formulating lineups and overall strategy.

Such was his influence on the team that you just need to look at the numbers of some of his teammates when Olynyk was either on or off the court.

James Johnson:

  • Olynyk on court: 56 FG%, 42.9 3P%, 113.6 O-rating, +9.5 Net Rating
  • Olynyk off court: 47.7 FG%, 24.6 3P%, 101.5 O-rating, -3.7 Net Rating

Wayne Ellington:

  • Olynyk on court: 42.3 FG%, 40.7 3P%, 109.3 O-rating, +6.2 Net Rating
  • Olynyk off court: 38.4 FG%, 37.2 3P%, 102.5 O-rating, -2.4 Net Rating

Tyler Johnson:

  • Olynyk on court: 45.8 FG%, 40.3 3P%, 110.5 O-rating, +7.4 Net Rating
  • Olynyk off court: 41.7 FG%, 34.1 3P%, 100.8 O-rating, -3.8 Net Rating

Josh Richardson:

  • Olynyk on court: 49.5 FG%, 43.5 3P%, 109.5 O-rating, +6.1 Net Rating
  • Olynyk off court: 42.0 FG%, 33.8 3P%, 100.6 O-rating, -3.1 Net Rating

Coming off the bench for 54 of his 76 games last season, Olynyk finished sixth in Sixth Man of the Year voting. Such was his influence coming off the bench, that the 27-year-old Olynyk registered an elite +8.6 net rating over his 54 games as a reserve, but a -2.4 net rating as a starter.

Furthermore, and to highlight his improvement as the season progressed, Olynyk registered a +11.5 net rating after the All-Star break, comfortably the best return on the team.

So with a season under his belt with the Heat, and a virtually identical set of teammates returning, finishing in the absolute upper echelon of Sixth Man of the Year voting is a distinct possibility.

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