There's obviously an ongoing problem with the Miami Heat, given recent struggles, and Norman Powell may have pointed it out.
The Miami Heat's season continues to be crushed into pieces, especially after the loss on Tuesday night, Dec. 23rd, against the Toronto Raptors with a final score of 112-91. It was their lowest-scoring game thus far, with Norman Powell and Bam Adebayo having inefficient performances: combining for 26 points, making 10 of 28 field goal attempts, 35.7 percent, and one for eight from behind the arc, 12.5 percent.
The level of frustration continues to rise, given the lack of production on the court, especially after such a hot start. Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the team with 21 points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 36 minutes. The third-year forward continues to have a decent season, but shouldn't be the one taking charge.
Despite being without Tyler Herro (right big toe contusion), Nikola Jovic (right elbow contusion/laceration), and Pelle Larsson (left ankle sprain) collectively for the previous four games, the issues appear to lie deeper than who is and isn't available.
Following the loss against the Raptors, Powell had some interesting comments as to what could be the cause of the current three-game losing streak.
"There was a few times in the game where [Erik Spoelstra] draws up something or puts together something we got to go out there and execute," he said. "We just totally do something completely opposite, just make it up. Not having the attention to detail. I was pretty frustrated because it's happened not only in this game, but a few times in this tough stretch that we're going through."
The 32-year-old alluded to the team's youth, but there are only five players still on their rookie contracts, four that are main rotation players, and this doesn't include Kasparas Jakucionis.
"We're a young team," Powell added. "We got to focus on the details of the game. That's going to help us get out of this losing streak. This moment that we're in, this spot that we're in, is being better with the details of the game on both sides of the ball and how we want to execute, who we want to be."
The Heat have two NBA champions on the roster, seven who've started in the playoffs, and nine with three years of league experience or more. The team is younger compared to recent years, but should have a great level of feel to play at this level.
It's interesting to hear that somebody on the roster, who's obviously playing, isn't listening to a great leader in Erik Spoelstra. The 55-year-old is regarded as one of, if not the, best head coach in the league. If anything, it's rather insulting. For anybody, regardless of status, to think they're above Spoelstra could see themselves out the door as the trade deadline is only a couple of months away.
The Heat will travel to Georgia and face a division rival in the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, Dec. 26th, 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. They're at risk of falling below .500 since the season opener against the Orlando Magic, on Oct. 22nd.
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