Why the Miami Heat Are Better with Joel Anthony on the Floor

Maybe I am crazy, but I feel the Miami Heat are better when Joel Anthony is on the court than when he is not.

Anthony was one of the key reasons Dwyane Wade was able to drop 41 points in Friday night's victory against the Atlanta Hawks. Anthony freed Wade up several times by setting great picks.

It seemed like every time the Heat scored the camera would find an Atlanta player laying on the floor after being knocked there by Anthony.

The Heat traded for Jermaine O'Neal on Feb. 13 and Anthony's playing time has steadily decreased since.

The Heat are 15-9 in games when Anthony played 18 or more minutes this season.

Against the Hawks on Friday, Anthony was perfect from the field and totaled eight rebounds and three blocks in 35 minutes.

The only other game in which Anthony played more than 18 minutes was the series opener, and they were, for the majority, mop-up minutes.

On the other hand, the Heat are 14-17 when O'Neal logs similar minutes.

So what is the debate here?

The Heat have a better record when Anthony is playing. SO PLAY HIM. Yeah, Joel Anthony does not have nearly the star power of Jermaine O'Neal, but this is the NBA. All that matters is wins.

When the Heat go to Atlanta on Sunday afternoon, Joel Anthony should be starting.

No guy on the Heat puts out the consistent effort he does. People who have been watching the Heat all year long can attest to that.

The guy should be on the court. I do not care if that means starting Jermaine O'Neal at power forward or simply putting O'Neal behind Anthony on the depth chart.

O'Neal has been playing hurt the whole series. His knees, ankles, and head are all banged up.

Give him a break; let Joel Anthony take his minutes!