The Miami Heat have been one of the biggest surprises of the NBA season so far. At 23-8, Miami has the fourth-best winning percentage in the NBA and sit in third place in the Eastern Conference.
Part of that success has been the acquisition of All-Star Jimmy Butler and the breakout seasons enjoyed by players like Bam Adebayo, Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson. However, no matter how many star players are on the team, it still needs role players that play hard and do what it takes — a sentiment that Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra lamented.
“It goes without saying, if you can have your All-Stars available, it helps… You want to have champions on your side and Goran is a champion,” Spoelstra said, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel
Goran Dragic is a little more than a role player. The 33-year-old point guard was an All-Star just two years ago. But now, as the team's sixth man, Dragic won't get the credit or media attention that someone like Butler or Adebayo would get.
Still, in his fifth full year with the Heat, Dragic is having a major impact. The veteran point guard is averaging 15.9 points, 5.0 assists and 3.2 rebounds off the bench.
Dragic is having a nice bounce-back season after missing 46 games last year due to injury. The Heat are playing some of the best basketball in the NBA and Spoelstra will gladly give credit where credit is due.
Moreover, it's worth noting that Dragic drained the game-winner for Miami in Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers. Dragic finished with 14 points, three rebounds and six assists during that game.
The Heat will look to extend their winning streak to five games on Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers. They have met the Sixers twice before, winning one and losing the other in a blowout.
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