Haslem Out Indefinitely

[rise]

More Crap News Concerning Miami's Bench:

Haslem Injury Potentially Devastating for Heat
By ROB MAHONEY

There are few angles of the Miami Heat from which Udonis Haslem lies at the focus. After all, on a team that’s glowing with star power and expected to be dazzling, it makes little sense to concentrate on a player who is, in many ways, unspectacular. There’s nothing sexy about below-the-rim rebounds or jumpers from the elbow, but that doesn’t make Haslem anything less than invaluable for Miami.

It why the injury to Haslem — he sustained torn ligaments in his left foot Saturday and is out indefinitely — is so worrisome for the Heat.

Haslem is far from the most talented or most productive Heat player, but he is the piece that allows the others to come as they are. He’s the player that complements and contextualizes. Odd though it may sound, Haslem makes the Heat whole, and if he is lost for most of the regular season, it will have a big impact.

Miami can win right now without Haslem. He’s not essential for regular season success. To succeed beyond that, Haslem’s presence is an absolute necessity.

The Heat forward kept his talents in South Beach despite being a free agent this past summer, and had been carrying out business as usual until Saturday. Haslem scores when he can, but his greatest value to the Heat is as a defender and rebounder; it’s Haslem’s presence that has helped Miami overcome the lack of a competent center. He leads the Heat in rebounding rate, and despite being relatively short by big-man standards (he is 6-8), is an effective interior defender. Haslem can’t provide the help-side shot blocking that Miami needs, but he’s more than capable of defending the low post.

The same can’t be said of Chris Bosh, who provides a less impressive interior front. Haslem understands how to use his speed when defending opposing big men, a facet of the game which looks to be lost on Bosh. Also, Haslem doesn’t go block-chasing like Joel Anthony, nor is he as limited defensively as Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Haslem has enough savvy to defend the pick-and-roll, the foot speed to keep up with face-up forwards, and the know-how to rotate on time. All of those things make him a quality defender, but more importantly, they make him a versatile one.

Haslem’s skill set gives him unending utility as a defender. He’s able to fit seamlessly with any other combination of players due to his ability to cover for his teammates’ specific weaknesses. When paired with Ilgauskas, Haslem is well-suited to counter quicker opponents. When paired with Anthony, Haslem can play on-ball post defense while Anthony waits to attack from the weak side. When paired with Bosh, Haslem can defend the opponent’s primary pick-and-roll option and cut off penetration to the lane.

Haslem doesn’t do a little of everything. He just does everything that his teammates cannot. Without having Haslem available to fill in the gaps on defense, one or more of Miami’s centers could be put in an uncomfortable defensive position on a nightly basis.

Offensively, similar principles apply. Haslem is a quality spot-up shooter from mid-range, which not only gives a kick-out option for a driving LeBron James or Dwyane Wade, but also provides balance for a pair of teammates running the pick-and-roll on the opposite side of the floor. He’s a top-20 offensive rebounder, creating possessions out of thin air for his teammates’ use. Haslem moves without the ball as well as any forward, and while that usually results in an open jumper rather than a rim-rocking dunk, he’s still facilitating offensive flow for both his and his team’s benefit.

Haslem has been relentless. He dove to the basket, hunted loose balls, and fought for rebounds, all in an offense that had yet to reach a level of operation that could fully reward him for his efforts.

The Heat will be without those skills until Haslem’s return, and will miss Haslem’s accommodating game. Part of Miami’s great performance – and even greater potential – is their flexibility on both offense and defense, and Haslem is a huge part of that. The Heat have lost an instrumental player at a formative stage in their development, and though Haslem should return in time to hobble into the playoffs, losing him for such an extended period should limit Miami from reaching their full potency.

[Martti.]

Riley, please sign Damp! Big Z is not good enough to play 35 minutes anymore. You gave Anthony 18 million, tell Spoelstra to play him!

[[Q]]

so now the question is whether they sign dampier or give it a go with a Big Z/Anthony combo

[rise]

They have to go after Damp! Or trade for a big man. Although, I don't think Miami's going to be making any trades. I can't see any team wanting to trade with them.

[[Q]]

they were supposed to trade Chalmers for Jack, but the Hornets got him first so maybe dangle Chalmers for a big man?

[Houndy]

They got Damp