Terry Rozier has gotten off to a rough start in Miami, with the Heat losing all four games since he joined the franchise. The Heat had lost three games before Rozier’s arrival, compounding their issues into a seven-game losing streak.
When asked about these struggles, Rozier took a shot at his former team, the Charlotte Hornets, pointing out the difference between Miami and Charlotte regarding their reaction to losing games.
“It’s the total opposite. In Charlotte, you’re kinda used to losing. It’s in the DNA. Suck to say that because of how much of a competitor I am. Over here, it’s the total opposite. Nobody wants to lose. Nobody is fine with it.”
Terry Rozier was asked by @WillGuillory about the difference between losing in Charlotte vs losing in Miami.
"It's the total opposite. In Charlotte, you're kinda used to losing. It's in the DNA. Over here, it's the total opposite. Nobody wants to lose. Nobody is fine with it." pic.twitter.com/e724Ze7yAc
— Wes Goldberg (@wcgoldberg) January 30, 2024
Rozier’s words may be harsh for a franchise that gave him a $96 million contract, but we haven’t seen any evidence to the contrary. The team hasn’t made the playoffs since the Kemba Walker era. The players on the roster were cheering and laughing after their head coach was ejected while the team was down 25 points.
Steve Clifford just got tossed and these guys are laughing on the bench.
Charlotte is a mess pic.twitter.com/RnVQio5Als
— Big Knick Energy (@BigKnickEnergy_) January 30, 2024
There’s no winning culture in Charlotte, with Michael Jordan failing to instill it as an owner during his 12-year tenure and the new owners have continued that failure. But there’s a winning culture in Miami, a city that’s seen seven NBA Finals since 2006.
Erik Spoelstra Called Out The Heat For Their Struggles
Rozier is being coached by arguably the most respected active coach not named Gregg Popovich, Erik Spoelstra. Coach Spo got real on the Heat’s active losing streak, stressing how important it is for the team to pick up a win while sharing accountability for the struggles instead of blaming his players.
“We’re in a hole right now. The level of urgency and concern is extremely high. We’re just not doing it consistently. Hard enough, tough enough, with enough resolve with the things that come at you in an NBA game. We can do it for periods of time and sustain it, we have to get over this hurdle. One way or the other. That’s what we’re gonna work on. We’ve been saying it, we’ve been doing it, and I’m not absolving myself of anything. I am every bit a part of this right now. We have to come together to figure out some solutions, figure out how we’re gonna get one win. That’s what this thing is about right now.”
The Heat haven’t had much energy on the court in recent games, with certain tactical adjustments taking time to sink in. Tyler Herro hasn’t been as proficient as a catch-and-shoot player, while Jimmy Butler continues to be a regular-season dropper. Unless someone takes charge and leads the Heat on the court with their production, they’ll keep struggling.
Rozier was expected to help, but he’s averaged 11.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists through four appearances so far. He’s still getting his feet wet but if he wants to spearhead a winning culture, there’s an opportunity on a Heat team that is once again not looking sharp enough in the regular season.
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