Heat are quickly learning why the Mavericks benched Klay Thompson

The Miami Heat signed Klay Thompson because of his shooting. Despite some early-season bumps, he's lived up to expectations (41 percent from deep) on that end of the floor. However, it's another part of his game that could lead Erik Spoelstra to replace him in the starting lineup - the same reason that cost him his starting spot in Dallas.

It's his defense.

So far this season, Klay has statistically been the worst defensive player on the Heat. Klay has the worst defensive rating (130.4) of the starting lineup and a team-worst -17.8 net rating when he's on the floor. The eye test hasn't given Klay much grace either.

While all of that is certainly troubling, it's not exactly that shocking…