Erik Spoelstra talks about losing Josh Richardson and Terry Rozier and how the team overcame it. “You feel for those guys…we’re starting to develop some grit and competing more to our identity…” #HeatCulture
This was supposed to be the start of a great new chapter for the Miami Heat but a pair of recent injuries may have just put everything on hold. During Sunday's match against the Boston Celtics, the Heat didn't just lose the game, but they also lost two stars: Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson.
Rozier suffered a sprained right knee and Richard dislocated his right shoulder. Both players will be out for at least a few weeks.
These are painful losses for the Heat, especially because Rozier had just joined the team and is envisioned as a key piece of the roster moving forward. During his ten games with the Heat, he has averaged 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.6 assists.
As for Richardson, he has averaged 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists during his 43 games this season.
The problem with these injuries is that the Heat have very few replacements lined up for either Rozier or Richardson. The team was quite calm during the recent NBA trade deadline, which means there aren't many alternatives that can take this place.
Rozier and Richardson will be out of commission for some time and the team also just lost Jimmy Butler, who is missing time due to some personal family matters.
What will the Heat do now? Will they find a player on the buyout market who can fill the voids left by Rozier, Richardson, and Butler? Or will they simply ride this period out and prepare for their return?
The team is currently the eighth seed in the East but expected to climb higher in the weeks ahead. They might now be regretting not making any more moves before the deadline last week.
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