Assigning Credit for Miami Heat's NBA Playoff Run

Sam Richmond

While they are one loss from it being over, the Miami Heat have had a successful playoff run.

So, we've decided to divvy up the credit for the Heat's 11-4 postseason record among the Miami players. The criteria was simple: how much impact has this player or group of players had throughout the entire 15-game stretch, rather than primarily focusing on what is happening in the current Eastern Conference finals. 

Still, the breakdown ended up being one that likely few would have predicted when the playoffs begun, as the 2012-13 Heat were more of a true team and less of a one-man show in the regular season.

The Bench

Credit: 8 percent

The bench has been a mixed bag for the Heat in the playoffs.

On one hand, Chris Andersen and Norris Cole have exceeded their play from their regular-season level.

Andersen has done a terrific job of finishing at the rim (he's shooting 86.0 percent from the field), while also providing help rebounding and blocking shots. Also, Cole has been effective due to his on-ball defense and outside shooting (56.5 percent).

But then there is Ray Allen and Shane Battier, who have both lost their shooting strokes come postseason time. Allen was lethal in Round 1 from downtown but has shot under 30 percent on three-pointers since. Worse than that, Battier has never had the hot hand (23.5 percent on three-pointer) and was relegated to just four minutes in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Such up-and-down basketball from the bench is not what Miami is used to. It was a clear strength in the regular season.

Mario Chalmers and Udonis Haslem

Credit: 10 percent

The Heat's "other two starters" have had their moments in the postseason.

Chalmers has struggled with his shot all postseason. At the same time, he's been great defensively, as he's played with a high level of energy.

Furthermore, he's really picked up his game in the Eastern Conference finals. While other Miami players have seemed scared to attack the rim with Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert in the game, Chalmers went right at him and had success. Amazingly enough, he's been Miami's second-best player in the series.

After having significant troubles in the first two rounds with his mid-range game, Haslem has a couple of dominant performances in the conference finals. He swung Games 3 and 5 by shooting a combined 16-of-18 from the field.

Despite both playing poorly at times, Chalmers and Haslem deserve the credit they received, because when the two have had impacts in games, they've had enormous impacts. 

Chris Bosh

Credit: 7 percent

Up until the Eastern Conference finals, Chris Bosh's postseason had been pretty good. He hadn't been scoring a lot (under 15 points per game), but he'd been efficient with his jumper and was grabbing more than eight rebounds a game.

But things have really fallen apart for Bosh against the Pacers. Hibbert eats him up when Bosh guards him. He also has snatched fewer than four rebounds per game for the series.

On top of that, he has had three consecutive single-digit scoring performances. ESPN's Tom Haberstroh pointed out on Twitter that it's the first time Bosh had such a streak since 2004.

Bosh's small amount of credit could be construed as overreacting to what he's done lately, but there's no denying that Miami has really needed him against Indy and he hasn't shown up.

Dwyane Wade

Credit: 5 percent

Dwyane Wade has not been himself throughout the 2013 postseason. He's been battling a right knee issue. And while at times he's moved pretty well, often he's lacked his explosiveness and has struggled terribly offensively.

He's averaging fewer than 14 points per game, which is unheard for a player of his caliber. He had one bright spot in the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, but other than that, he hasn't helped the Heat all that much.

In Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals, a game in which Miami needed him badly to step up, Wade scored 10 points on 3-of-11 shooting. This isn't the efficient Wade we've seen his entire career. 

LeBron James

Credit: 70 percent

LeBron has carried the Heat throughout this playoff run. It's quite ironic that the credit distribution looks the way it does, because LBJ came to Miami in order to not have to carry such a burden.

When the Heat have needed LBJ the most, he's played his best. There was the buzzer-beating layup in Game 1 of the conference finals. Then, in a must-win Game 5, in which the Heat were trailing at halftime, LeBron outscored the Pacers by himself in the quarter, willing Miami to a victory.

He's been the Heat's top scorer, rebounder, passer and best defensive player. He's done everything and deserves an enormous amount of more credit than any other player for Miami's postseason success. 

   

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