3 observations on Miami Heat from the early part of the season
By Simon Smith
2. The return of The Dragon
Following a heavily injury-interrupted season, no one doubted that Goran Dragic could make a significant impact as the team’s Sixth Man. And while it’s still early days, Dragic has possibly exceeded expectations with his terrific start to the season.
In his 12th season, Dragic is averaging 16.7 points, 4.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 28.2 minutes per game. Most impressively, Dragic is shooting at a 47.5 percent clip from the field and an elite 45.3 percent return from long range on 5.9 attempts per game. Given his struggles with efficiency last season, these are a major improvement.
With a penchant for having the ball in his hands and running an offense, Dragic’s conversion to a scoring role off the bench has been exemplary. With 62.5 percent of his baskets this season coming unassisted, per NBA.com, Dragic’s ability to not only create his own shot but also play off the ball as a legitimate scoring threat adds another element to the Heat offense.
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Given he’s just 21 months removed from being named an All-Star for the first time, taking on such a role in the final year of his contract is no mean feat for the 33-year-old.
But such is his level of professionalism, and complete acceptance of a team role, has meant that not only have the Heat flourished, but Dragic has cut out a role for himself as one of the elite players in the league coming off the bench.
Currently ranked sixth in scoring off the bench, it’s needless to say that the Miami Heat and Dragic will be hoping this level of production will continue.