For the second straight preseason game, it took until the game’s final possession for the outcome to be decided for the Miami Heat. Instead of losing, however, the Heat notched a 101-99 win in their home preseason opener to the New Orleans Pelicans.
A total of 16 Heat players saw the floor, with no starter seeing more than 17 minutes. We got a full glimpse of the Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jovic and Bam Adebayo lineup–which has never seen a single minute together up until Sunday.
Herro and Rozier led with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Herro shot 4-of-9 from the floor with four rebounds, three assists and two steals; Rozier made five of his nine attempts with a pair of assists and one steal.
The lineup jelled well together, all things considered–generating promising half-court looks while looking fluid in transition. There were times where it wasn’t completely connected offensively or defensively, though they were able to build a 12-point advantage with 2:31 left in the first half after it had a mixed bag of results in the first half
The starters only played the first half. Duncan Robinson led the second unit with 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range. Thomas Bryant had nine points on 4-of-5 shooting; four other players had at least six in small sample sizes.
This team will have three more preseason games over the next five nights–perhaps why we didn’t see players, such as Keshad Johnson or Isaiah Stevens, who’s vying for a two-way spot.
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I believe Ware will, at some points, be on the floor the same time as Bam so Spo can see the chemistry. In the summer, I said Ware will definitely not start at center on day 1 of the season and some genius gave me all kinds of bs. Seems what most of us thought was correct. I do believe his minutes will increase as the season progresses.
Minor note: While I felt Justin Champagnie was an okay g-league player last season, the player I spoke about as having potential was Cain.
I think Keshad will be a good player. He is built like a rock.
If Pelle continues to play solid in the limited minutes he gets, he may work himself into the rotation. Can shoot, defend, and does the dirty work.
I hope Little can prove himself, but with so many playing in front of him, not sure he’ll get the chance. His day to day contract goes to January before hitting the dreaded second apron. He possibly may be gone long before then.
I said when they signed Burks, that it might not be an exciting pickup, but that he is a solid player.
If the team can stay reasonably healthy, they could be a 4-6 seed. And fun to watch.
Let’s go Heat!
Ware is not ready yet for meaningful minutes. Spo is a conservative coach, he sticks with what works, until he is forced to change everything, and when doing it, he is the best in the world.
G league with heavy minutes is better then siting on the bench and wait for garbage time minutes. Heat never have a lot of those.
Injuries or bad form from Love and Bryant can gives him a chance to get him some backup center minutes. I don’t see much chance to start as a center. He is not good enough to be a starting l center, and Bam might not be good enough to play starting power forward position.
Well, we shall see as the season continues. I think he’s too talented to not get some minutes.
I see the starting and second units to start the season, as follows:
Rozier, Herro, Butler, Jovic, Bam
Richardson*, Robinson, Jaquez, Highsmith, Love
* Target date for return is opening game October 23 vs Orlando.
Bench: Smith, Burkes, Larsson, Ware, Bryant
G Leaguers: Johnson, Stevens, Christopher, Pullin, Washington, Little
The G league playing time will help the younger players. It may make sense for Ware to join them occasionally to get playing time and work on his game.
After the trade deadline, assuming there are no major trades, I see the Heat using the following 10 man rotation:
Rozier, Herro, Butler, Bam, Ware* (if he develops appropriately)
Richardson (or Smith), Robinson (or Pelle), Jaquez, Highsmith, Jovic
* At minimum, I can see Jovic retaining his power forward starting position and Ware playing back-up center) and used alongside Bam in certain situations against bigger/taller teams.
It looks like we have our starting lineup. They didn’t hit much, but the ball travelled well.
6,7 and 8 man are JJJ, Robinson and Love. Yet to be determined, how many minutes goes to Highsmith, Dru, Burks, Bryant.
Pelle and Kale will play in G league at least till first injury.
Besides Ware. I am also looking forward to Keshad Johnson and Larsson’ development. Sad that KJ didnt play in this game,He has the potential to be Miami’s best 3&d player in the current roster as long as he grind and stay healthy.
i can see why Dru Smith is on the contract but he needs to hit his shots for me to be sold on him.
“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” – Willie Nelson
https://sircharlesincharge.com/miami-heat-rookie-kel-el-ware-draws-huge-praise-and-comparison-from-nba-insider?utm_campaign=FanSided+Daily&utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email&sc=e0273490fd355e2c28bdb25751d41af65a4dd80936ff00a80be9866c97887955
once u put ware at starting center ill feel more positive
Its the preseason where starters are shaking their rust and the new players learn how to play Heat’s Ball and develop.
Lets complain about starting postions when its the regular season.
I just saw the highlights on YouTube. The team looked good in the first half but not so good in second. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get a glimpse of the starters playing together more minutes against San Antonio and Memphis. I’m looking forward to seeing Ware and Bam going head to head with Wemby and Edey. Bam is too short to be effective against either one. The sooner Ware is assimilated into the starting unit and Bam is moved to power forward…the better.
never happen
LOL! So true. nfl
t bryant c 2 ware for now dnp.ware should be starting c with 6 9 bam pf.do u think the 2 will be on the ct together this year sun.
Yup. Hopefully, sooner than later. Heat needs a shot blocker in starting unit.