The Miami Heat played their rookies a lot out of necessity this season
The Heat had to play their rookies a lot of minutes, especially at the end of the season, due to injuries to a lot of key players. Daequan Cook was the first round pick of the Heat and he had a decent showing as a rookie. Cook played in 59 games (19 starts) this season for the Heat and he averaged 24.4 minutes, 8.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. But, not all was good for Cook as he only shot 38.1% from the floor and he needs to improve on that if he wants to see an increase in playing time in the future.
F/C Joel Anthony proved that he belonged late in the season when he finally got a chance to play. He played in 24 games (1 start) for the Heat this season and he averaged 20.8 minutes, 3.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.1 assists and 1.3 blocked shots per game. Anthony likely won a job for next season as a backup based on his play late in the year.
Forward Kasib Powell also got a lot of playing time at the end of the season and he looked decent despite only shooting 36.8% from the floor. Powell played in 11 games (4 starts) for the Heat this season and he averaged 27.6 minutes, 7.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He will have a good shot of making the Heat next season.
Forward Stephane Lasme came to the Heat late in the season and he appears to be a skilled player. He played in 15 games (4 starts) for the Heat last season and he averaged 20.2 minutes, 5.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.2 assists and 1.5 blocked shots per game. Lasme played in 16 games (4 starts) with the Warriors & Heat last season and he averaged 18.9 minutes, 5.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.2 assists and 1.4 blocked shots per game. Lasme will have a shot to make the Heat next season based on his play late in the season for the Heat.
Point guard Blake Ahearn didn’t look too good for the Heat last season as he only shot 26.3% from the floor. He played in 12 games (0 starts) for the Heat last season and he averaged 14.8 minutes, 5.8 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He will have an uphill climb to stay in the NBA until he starts shooting better.