Will Miami Heat be up to speed for 2023-24 NBA season?
Q: Speed, speed and more speed. Erik Spoelstra (incredibly successful in his own right) likes to learn from other successful coaches. Maybe Mike McDaniel can help with some Dolphins tips on offense. After watching another season of Winning Time, the HBO docudrama about the Showtime Lakers, and the Dolphins’ success on offense, I am more convinced than ever the Heat need to get Bam Adebayo in the open court on fastbreaks. Bam has a skill set of speed, agility, strength, coordination and offensive skills. He is so unique. Get other big men to rebound and get Bam and other fast players in the open court. – Stuart, Miami.
A: Except, with their smallish roster, the Heat also need Bam Adebayo to secure defensive rebounds. So it’s not as if that can be left to others. It also is a reason why another true big man alongside Bam could further unlock the Heat offense. For now, there will be ample talk in camp about playing in transition, getting out and running. But I’m not sure the Heat roster is built for that. While that might work for Tyler Herro and Caleb Martin, you also have players with plenty of mileage, such as Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry and Love. Players at those ages tend to pace themselves during the regular season. And that generally means limiting the sprints. If anything, the Heat’s concern might be being outrun by the opposition, which will again have rebounding as an essential factor.
Q: Prior to signing the five-year contract, Duncan Robinson was averaging .408 from behind the arc. Last season he dropped to .328 with just 6.4 points per game. Obviously those stats aren’t worth $18 million per season. Does the Heat organization have any hope that he will regain his sharpshooting form? – Todd, Sunrise.
A: Do they have any other choice, either to revive his role in their rotation or restore his trade value? With Max Strus off to Cleveland, Duncan Robinson certainly will have the opportunity.
Q: I’ve seen this movie before. The Bucks and Celtics don’t live up to preseason hype (Mets, Padres) and Tyler Herro takes the next step. Sometimes the best trades are the ones you don’t make. – Brian, San Marcos, Calif.
A: Which, to a degree, was part of the Heat’s thinking when it came to the ransom that the Blazers were seeking for Damian Lillard. Again, from this perspective, would have paid Tyler Herro and a pair of first-round picks. Everything else after that would have had to have been carefully deliberated.
Q: The best troll ever by Jimmy Butler was saying he doesn’t troll. – Michael.
A: Well, Jimmy does live under a bridge and if exposed to sunlight can burst or turn into stone. But if he says he’s not a troll, who are we to disagree?
