Despite missing their top players for significant stretches this season, the Miami Heat currently find themselves sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings with a 35-20 record.
Their leading trio of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Kyle Lowry has missed a combined 56 games to this point, while other key rotation pieces such as Tyler Herro and PJ Tucker have also been sidelined for several games due to varying ailments.
Considered somewhat of a weakness entering the season, the overall depth of the Miami Heat has been an enormous factor in their success to date.
If there was ever an example to point to in order to illustrate the unwavering success of the Heat to date, it’s in their latest win on the road against the Washington Wizards. Despite having close to their full lineup available to hit the floor, it was the second unit that stole the show as the Heat cruised to a dominant 121-100 win.
"I can only imagine what they're able to do when they actually get their guys back."@Candace_Parker talks about the depth of the Miami Heat. #Gametime pic.twitter.com/PeAB4Y7BpB
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 1, 2022
The quartet of Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Caleb Martin, and Dewayne Dedmon combined to shoot 11-of-20 from three-point range, as the bench combined for 56 points, thus ensuring no starter played more than 30 minutes for the night. Despite the absence of Sixth Man of the Year favorite in Herro for the contest, Miami’s unheralded group continued to defy expectations.
One standout reason for the underestimation of the Heat’s level of depth comes in their status entering the league. The aforementioned quartet were all undrafted coming out of college, with Martin commencing this season on a two-way deal, with Vincent and Strus having done the same prior to this season.
To say that this group of determined players each brings an edge and nastiness every time they step on the floor would be an extreme understatement.
And this is all without mentioning rookie center Omer Yurtseven, yet another undrafted success story to emerge with the franchise. Earlier this season, Yurtseven set a franchise record with 14 consecutive games of recording at least 10 rebounds, averaging 11.6 points and 13.4 rebounds during that span.
With the return of Adebayo, Yurtseven has now returned to his original role as the third center on the team, but with the knowledge that he’s more than comfortable at competing at the level required.
Roll the Gabe Vincent tape 🎥 pic.twitter.com/Oo7FmcPabR
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 8, 2022
Following the win over the Wizards, recently named 6-time All-Star Jimmy Butler made special mention of the continued production of the second unit (subscription required):
"“They stick to their strengths, try to stay away from their weaknesses, like everybody on our roster. But they’re just confident. They know that they belong in this league. And more than anything, they belong on this team.”"
Furthermore, one should look at the Heat’s record when some of the members of this group make a significant impact:
- Heat 8-1 when Vincent scores at least 15 points
- Heat 12-3 when Martin records at least five rebounds
- Heat 6-0 when Dedmon scores at least 12 points
- Heat 10-4 when Yurtseven records at least 10 rebounds
Looking ahead, the Heat have four games over the coming week before to a much-needed due to NBA All-Star weekend. With a slew of home games to look forward to as they enter the final stretch of the season, the Miami Heat should be incredibly content and confident in the continued work of their no longer under-the-radar bench unit.