It’s time for Chris Bosh to step his game up. Kurt Helin for NBC Sports reports:
“Udonis Haslem — the Miami Heat’s best rebounder and a stabilizing influence on defense — may well be out for at least a month, more likely six weeks or longer.
MRI results on Haslem’s left foot came back Sunday and showed a torn ligament, according to Brian Windhorst at ESPN. He injured the foot Saturday night in a loss to Memphis.
The team is having Haslem see a specialist before announcing a treatment plan and saying how long he will be out. However, this kind of injury generally keeps people out at least a month, more usually six-to-eight weeks.
The Heat will miss Haslem’s presence off the bench inside. He’s averaged eight points and eight boards a game, but generally has been more important as a steadying influence. The Heat’s already questionable depth may be more exposed during Haslem’s lengthy absence.”
Link.
Over the first 13 games, Udonis has been a major contributer for the Heat. He averages eight points (on 51% from the floor) and eight boards a night in 26 minutes off the bench. Haslem is Miami’s second best big man, and he actually leads the team in rebounding at this point, so this is a very significant loss. Chris Bosh’s minutes will likely go up (he’s only been averaging 33 a game so far), and he’s going to have to do a better job on the glass.
Thus far, the Heat haven’t nearly lived up to the high expectations that many analysts placed on them going into the season. All the 72+ wins crap always seemed like complete nonsense to me, but I did think they’d get off to a better start than 8-5. I’m not going to write them off after 13 games, that would be foolish, but I haven’t been impressed so far. One thing is for sure: they lack depth in the frontcourt even with Haslem… so this injury is about the worst thing that could’ve happened other than one of LBJ/Wade/CB going down.
