First Quarter:
Victor Wembanyama went to work right away with help from Chris Paul, but the Heat weren’t far behind with Highsmith getting to the rack. The Heat came out with energy to start this one, even Jimmy Butler who got to the free-throw line within the first few minutes. Surprisingly, Jimmy controlled or at least initiated many of the offensive possessions scoring 6 points before the five-minute mark.
Still, it didn’t matter much as very few baskets were scored by the rest of the Heat. With Butler dominating the early touches, Herro seemed the odd one out. Despite contributing with peripheral stats (2 rebounds), Herro only shot twice in the first quarter and went scoreless (his first scoreless quarter of the season).
On the other end, Wemby was unguardable with 11 first-quarter points.
Spo would insert our version of Wemby (Ware) at the end of the first quarter and he’d continue to show progress, slamming down another alley-oop. The Heat closed the gap somewhat with good scoring from Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, and Duncan Robinson. But with Champagnie doing work on both ends for the Spurs Miami would go into the second down 10.
Second Quarter:
Ware and Terry Rozier helped trim the lead to start the second. Tyler would also get his first bucket off a goaltend. Miami had noticeably more energy compared to the first on the defensive end anchored by the presence of Kel’El Ware. With Tyler struggling, Terry Rozier stepped up making some hard buckets to spark a 6-0 run. Spo mixed things up with Bam and Ware in the same lineup, altering the offense significantly (in a good way).
With Duncan and Ware finally knocking down threes the Heat got within one. With three minutes remaining Terry hit a pull-up jumper to take back the lead. You could feel the momentum shift back to Miami’s favor as Duncan hit a big three to add an exclamation point to the 20-2 run. This was a fun quarter that featured a lot of creativity and some lockdown defense.
I’m hoping we see more of Ware and Bam together. The Heat would take a five-point lead into halftime.
Third Quarter:
Tyler finally found his range to start the third, while on the other side, the Spurs found its footing once again. Fortunately, it didn’t matter much with Duncan and Tyler shooting well to extend the lead. Ware continued to shine on both ends, showing no reason to be concerned about his motor. A question that skewed some teams away from him during the draft. Tyler and Duncan continued to score well, Duncan even jammed one as Miami maintained its double-digit lead.
With Ware slamming it down, Jimmy rejecting shots on the other end and even Bam hitting shots – the vibes were very much back. Jimmy even smiled once! Ware exited with just over five minutes left, but the Heat continued to surge with Niko getting in on the action and Duncan continuing his assault from three-point range. Miami was excellent on its 17-3 run, with everybody playing to their strengths.
The Spurs would claw back slightly, but the San Antonio Buckets came more from Heat errors than lack of energy. Ware returned to close out the quarter while Terry and Niko picked up from Duncan from long range. Miami looked very impressive taking a 22-point lead in the fourth and final quarter.
Fourth Quarter:
Jovic sunk another three to keep the Heat’s foot on the gas to start the fourth quarter, but on the other end, the Spurs were trying to make their move with buckets from Paul, Barnes, and Wemby. Just when it looked like San Antonio might be capable of a run, Ware, Jaquez, and Herro stepped up to keep Miami ahead.
Rozier showcased impressive shooting to keep Miami rolling and Ware followed that up with multiple slams to put a dagger in this one.
This was a much-needed bounce-back for a team that’s dealt with so much drama over the last month. And hopefully, it was also the turning point in the season. The vibes were very much contagious all around in what was clearly the best game of the season so far. Jimmy might still want out, but Heat fans have a new reason to buy in.
***
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Saw this proposed trade this morning. Works for me.
NBA Trades: The Heat, Kings, and Warriors swap stars in a blockbuster proposed deal
Miami Receives:
De’Aaron Fox ($34.8M contract expiring 2026)
Gary Payton II (expiring $9.1M contract)
Golden State Receives:
Jimmy Butler
Sacramento Receives:
Jonathan Kuminga
Andrew Wiggins
Kevon Looney
Future Miami First Rd pick
Works for me.
Starters: Fox, Herro, Highsmith, Bam, Ware
2nd Unit*: Rozier, Burks, Robinson, Jaquez, Jovic
*Heat need still need to trade for another big to rotate with Ware and Bam.
I like it but trying to figure out why the Kings would do it. Yeah, Fox probably leaves, but they have time to get a better deal done, is my guess.
The Heat are now the favorites to land Bruce Brown. Oh, Vegas.
Sacto gets two starters (Wiggins and Kuminga) plus a pick.
Bruce Brown to Miami is a terrible trade. 7.2 ppg/ 3.4 rpg/ 0.9 apg for $23m. WTF? If Riley makes that trade he should be fired.
https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4065670/bruce-brown
Just saw this trade.
Phoenix Suns Receive: Jimmy Butler ($48.7 million)
Miami Heat Receive: Kyle Kuzma ($23.5 million), Jonas Valanciunas ($9.8 million), Saddiq Bey ($6.4 million), Anthony Gill ($2.0 million), 2031 Second-Round Pick (DEN)
Washington Wizards Receive: Bradley Beal ($50.2 million), 2031 First-Round Pick (CLE)
Just dreaming, but, if the Heat can turn Rozier, Bey, Gil and the second rounder into Nikola Vucevic and Josh Giddy that would be great.
If Riley tries all possible avenues and is unable to trade Butler for a fair return within the next week or so, he may want to consider this 3-way trade:
Miami gets: Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma
Phoenix gets: Jimmy Butler
Washington gets: Terry Rozier and Phoenix 1st Round pick
Starters would be Herro, Beal, Kuzma, Bam, Ware with a strong bench.
I would still like to see least one additional trade for another big such as Valanciunas or Vucevic. Need three good bigs in the rotation.
Is this a contender level team or at least fun team to watch?
I m asking because we will need to watch Beal for several years to come.
Not my preference. More like worse case scenario. I think there are other preferable options using 3 or 4 team trades.
Neither mine. Better scenario is to keep Butler till summer.
I am just concerned about effect on team chemistry/performance with a passive-aggressive/quiet quitter/“Debbie Downer” around.
I agree. I think he needs to go asap, even if they have to settle for less.
He’s clearly not giving his all. He’s doing just enough to not get fined again. That and not get injured.
The way he’s playing is marginally tolerable. However, his total lack of enthusiasm isn’t helpful around the team (especially the younger players). Nobody needs his *sulking @$$ around.
*Sulking is a passive-aggressive behavior where a person withdraws and shows displeasure or unhappiness, often without directly expressing their feelings. Expression: It typically involves pouting, being quiet, or acting moody. The individual may give short or curt responses and may avoid interaction.
The look on Butler’s face as he walks off the court after yesterday’s San Antonio game tells you everything you need to know. He hates being there. He’s pissed that everyone else on the team and in the arena are happy and not pissed off like he is. He probably hates that instead of hopelessness, there is hope and a light at the end of the tunnel for the Heat after he leaves. His name is Kel’el Ware. Now if Riley can just get a good return for Butler, that would be the icing on the cake.
https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/jimmy_butlers_immediate_future_could_still_be_away_from_heat/s1_13132_41604902
I observed the same thing. While the rest of the bench was jumping and cheering, he was seated, frowning, and fake clapping. Pretty pathetic. He seemed resentful of the team feeling joy and succeeding without him.
Absolutely! He probably thought the team would collapse without him. He now realizes that he’s going to miss out on the team’s youthful resurrection. Actions have consequences. He has no one to blame but himself.
Instead of handling the contract extension like an adult and trying to prove his value, he went the other way and began pouting and quiet quitting. His handling of this entire situation is a reflection of his true character. He’s greedy, egotistical, passive aggressive and arrogant and could GAF about the fans or his teammates.
Butler is a snake who has bitten every single team that has picked him up (Chicago, Minnesota, Philadelphia and now Miami). Btw, isn’t it ironic that the Year of the Snake in the Chinese Lunar Calendar begins on January 29, 2025. Maybe that’s an omen of the date Butler’s trade will be finalized. Good luck to whatever team picks him up next.
Good Riddance Jimmy. The team still has exactly half a season to play (41 games) and the post-season to contend with. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
GO HEAT!!!
i dont see a team that would want a pos like this sends bad message sun.we might be stuck with the quitter for a while.i hope they dont play him at all like rc says
Butler scored 6 of the Heat’s first 10 points. Then he scored 2 of the next 118!! Windhorst says trade talks are heating (no pun intended 😀) up. I certainly hope so! Please be gone by or before February 6.
I read that and would bet it happens this week as that call Windy was talking about was on Friday. Plus, the organization sees his crappy attitude and wants that toxicity out of the locker room asafp.
Or maybe not..
(also, duh)
ESPN’s Tim Bontempts on Jimmy Butler:
“The Heat are tired of this situation. Everyone is tired of it. They would like for it to be over…
The problem is, there isn’t a market for Jimmy Butler and part of that is because Butler is a huge pain to deal with.”
Credit Riley for deciding at the end of 2022 Season that the Heat needs to get bigger. Since, the Heat have added JJJ, Jovic and Ware.It has always been up to Spo to use them meaningfully. I hope yesterday’s game will now open Spo’ eyes. I have never been so excited with young players as I did during this past preseason. I still firmly believe that the future for the Heat is bright and is no gainsaying. I see the Heat dominating the league soon.
I don’t know about dominating. However, with a good trade or two, the team can definitely be very competitive.
heat dominating the league soon what planet do u live on
Dude! You walked into that one.
https://i.chzbgr.com/full/8399431424/h6FF8783E/always-be-clean
Gotta give spo major credit for pairing bam and ware together for extended minutes, and even starting them together in the 2nd half. I feel like that pairing can be elite Defensively, and offensively they just gotta adjust to each other. It already has it benefits cuz that was our best 3 shooting performance of the season, and 2 i think 2nd highest total assist game of the season. Also it will make other players better, it already had an immediate impact for Duncan. It gives him more spacing, more pin downs,back screens,and makes him more dangerous driving through the paint. Also jovic plays some of best minutes with ware, that’s a lethal combo, and went on a heater in the 2nd half. The future is bright especially when the WAREWOLF probes the alien, or just flat out takes his lunch money. I can’t believe we got a unicorn/baby wemby at the 15th pick, and already shooting a better percentage from 3 then wemby in his rookie season.
what % is he of wemby.wembys a ss already.warewolf just started prowling.i dont see him on wembys level but getting close would be awesome
He is not the next Wemby. But he is definitely better than the Mav’s Derrick Lively (who averaged 8.8 points and 6.9 rebounds during last year’s second team all-rookie season).
They looks similar, but a bit difference players.
Lively was important part of Mavs run in finals, he was very impactful especially in defense. ware is not there yet in defense, but he is improving. For sure better offensive player.
I wonder if Ware still have a chance for rookie of the year. Never been listed top 10 till now, but in this year weak class he could climb fast with games like we saw lately.
Idk if he can still get rookie of year, that depends on his minutes going forward for the rest of the year, but he can still be all rookie 1st or 2nd team.
Kel’el Ware is currently the highest rated rookie in the NBA. He’s rated well above Edey, Clingan, Missi, McCain etc. The sky is the limit for this young man.
https://insider.espn.com/nba/hollinger/statistics/_/position/rookie
NBA official site haven’t listed him top 10 the last time I looked.
But yes, there is a chance.
Early on, that was the comparison, Ware to Lively, which was hopeful as Lively is a useful player. But, more precincts are in and Ware’s potential seems beyond that. Time will tell but we seem to have a good addition here.
BTW, kudos to HFL and RC and Sun and Big and Oregon and the Alien and our entire cast of characters who all, including myself, saw that Ware playing with Bam was the best way to improve this team. All of us could see it. Spo was slow to cast him to the wolves, which I understand too.
With Ware’s apparent emergence, I again urge us to make the moves needed to improve, But, now we can perhaps look to the current season as well as the future. This team is still not capable of beating the better teams. But, it is now a little closer. As a hypothetical, if we kept Jimmy and he played hard, and we traded for Kuzma, and JRich came back healthy, we would be quite competetive, definitely could get past the first round. That’s a few big ifs, especially with Jimmy, but I think that we are close enough to try to win now.
I agree. The team can be competitive with a couple of strategic trades. Btw, as noted above, Kel’el Ware is currently the highest rated rookie in the NBA. He’s rated well above Edey, Clingan, Missi, McCain etc. The sky is the limit for this young man.
https://insider.espn.com/nba/hollinger/statistics/_/position/rookie
j poor is done 30 in his prime average at this stage hes not a factor.the loss of dru smith was a killer he was coming on big time
He’s nowhere near wemby’s level, that’s true, but if he can ever get to 70 percent of wemby’s level, I’ll take that.
hes just starting big.he played him even yesterday.lets wait another 20- 30 games i think he can be pretty close to him.not as good but hes better than lively already.great draft pat sorry 30 we owe pat an apology. bam tyler jjj jovic not bad either.godfather knows ball 30.he misses on fa cause he paid to much to dunc and bam
Going big has been an old song for so long, Spo was late jumping on board. Hope he stays on board long enough to win a championship and not jump off at the next stop (next season ). In the past 5 seasons our back up centers never made it past 2 seasons at most, with Heat going for smaller players and giving opponents size advantage in the post season.
I hope he doesn’t jump off the double big lineup either, but I guess better late then never right. Spo did say after the game that he would do whatever it takes to make the team D better, and the bam ware pairing is the best path towards that, which is encouraging. Also you’re right about that last part. I don’t know if love will be here next season, so we have to get another big eventually , preferably a young one with good D that will last past 2 seasons. So we can always have 2 bigs on the floor.
if he doesnt go bam ware for 30 mins plus hes gonna piss off lots heat nation big
We’ve all wanted this to happen, but Ware is a 20 year old rookie. The NBA season is long and you do have to manage the eventual wall the rookie hits. I personally like how Spo has brought him along so that Ware isn’t completely toast by early March. He is going to be ab absolute monster next to Bam or whoever, really.
My favorite thing about him is his face after making a big play. He almost shows no emotion like yeah I expected to do that or be this good. lol It’s hilarious
next up in the youth movement love to see me some jc.man that dude looks like hes got the goods.3 level scorer elite sthleticism,just needs to be given pt especially over pelle and terry until yesterday.guys like jaime jovic could be rotational players 6 78 men think this kid could be special like to find out were not winning it all this year anyway,
josh christopher btw
I want to see Keshad Johnson get some serious playing time. He could be the next Highsmith with more offense and rebounding for less money. His game reminds me of Amen Thompson’s with more offense. He’s the same height and weight as Jimmy Butler. He just needs playing time.
Isn’t he taller than JB?
Roughly 6’7 like jimmy
6’7″ 230 lbs. Exactly same as Jimmy. Known for his defense. Just like Jimmy. Better shooter than Jimmy when he came up.
were gonna need hh defense like big said for maxey and brunson.got nobody else to stone those guys
I was thinking to stop watch the game after first qt.
The more of the same as whole year.
Then Ware Bam pairing happens.
It seems that that move unlocked the whole potential of this team.
The most inspiring basketball of the year.
I dont know if this can be sustainable, but there is a promise.
Great stuff.
FYI: Kel’el Ware is only 20 years old. He’ll be 21 on April 20th (during the playoffs).
Current stats:
MPG: 14.0
PPG: 7.3
RPG: 4.0
BPG: .96
FG%: 57.8
3PT%: 40.0
hehehe, 4/20
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQPvViXxhVsK6Hl6ySJfQIjKljzn8G9vidpGg&s
No wonder he was blazing out there
Psychology 101
It’s funny how inflated egos can get in the way of personal happiness. When oversensitive egos are offended, people can act impulsively without stopping to think first about the consequences or repercussions of what they are about to say or do. If both parties are offended “pissing contests” usually follow. A “Pissing contest” is defined as a rivalry in which the main concern of the parties involved is a conspicuous demonstration of superiority. This can happen in marriages as well as other relationships. I know this from personal experience.
Sometimes, one party will apologize for his/her words or actions and admit when he or she is wrong. Unfortunately, many times, both parties are too stubborn and proud to accept responsibility for their behavior. Riley and Butler could have resolved their personal spat months ago…one way or another, if they had only sat down and had a “man to man” conversation about all issues. The problem is, over the past several months, neither person has “manned up” to accept responsibility for his multiple contributions to the dysfunction. Consequently, a cloud of instability has been hanging over the entire team. That isn’t fair to the players who are just trying to do their best to contribute to winning games.
Despite the distraction of the “Butler Situation” the team’s other players have not lost their enthusiasm for the game. Furthermore, both the veterans and the younger players must feel the team is on the cusp of a transition to a more exciting, higher level of play resulting in more wins. I think they have all been rooting for Ware and got a glimpse of what is possible in the future with him and Bam playing together. It’s been a while since the players and fans had something to get excited about.
After witnessing Ware and the boys play like they did, I can’t help but feel Butler is wishing his current situation hadn’t deteriorated to the point where it is today. I think Miami is where he would prefer to play. Unfortunately, it’s too late for that. As my wife always says, “everything happens for a reason.” Maybe it’s better for all concerned if Jimmy moves on so the team can evolve. In addition, maybe it’s time for Riley to seriously think about retiring for the same reason.
With Bam and Ware starting together, they just need a third C/PF who can play together with either of them. I think someone like Bobby Portis, Nicola Vucevic, Jonas Valanciunas or John Collins could work. Throw in a Brandon Ingram (27), Kyle Kuzma (29) or Michael Porter, Jr (26)…then fogetaboutit…we would be killing teams!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Xu9UcOdj0
What’s your priority list for pickups?
Pf/C rotation like you’ve outlined here
But then you go for a Kuz or MPJ, or would you go for a PG?
first time in a while looking forward to a heat game hopefully the quitter will be gone let the bam ware ty era begin without him.
Rozier III, Herro, Adebayo, Ware, Spoelstra | Postgame Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MCGXucZQTs
Interesting game stats:
Rebounds: M 49 SA 44
Assists: M 35 SA 28
Steals: M 8 SA 4
Blocks: M 6 SA 5
Turnovers: M 11 SA 14
FG% M 52.6 SA 45.1
FT% M 100 SA 62.5
3PT% M 54.5 SA 37.5
Bench Scoring 77 points
Ware: 25 points/8 rebounds/2 assists 2 blocks
Rozier: 20/4/5/1 steal
Jovic: 14/2/5/ 2 steals
Jaquez: 12/6/1 3 steals 1 block
Johnson, Larsson, Christopher 2 points each
Starters Scoring 55 points
Robinson: 21/5/2
Herro: 18/6/7/ 1 steal
Butler: 8/3/7 2 blocks
Bam: 6/11/5 1 block, 1 steal
Highsmith: 2/3/0
other teams second chance pts which we always lose that will change.lets following the rebounding advantages now.which we usually lose.blocked shots that will change,points in the paint ty coach spo for finally listening to yours truly and sunman .we will sleep better tonight.
In the 2nd quarter, the presence of Ware and Bam on the floor together made the game look easy for everyone else both defensively and offensively. True, Ware is a rookie but he needs more playing time to make mistakes, learn on the floor (not from the bench) and get better. If there is anytime for Spo to do so, it should be this season throwing aside all pretences of being a championship contender this season. Reality should please set in
Agree. In the second quarter at the rc house, we discussed how the 2 bigs made it easier for the smaller guys to operate. Spurs had to hesitate to send their bigs out to the perimeter to defend because we now had 2 guys that could flush alley oops at the rim.
I don’t think Spo will start Ware in the immediate future, but I think he will give Ware at least 25-30 minutes henceforth. When he does start, I see Ware, Bam, Jaquez, Duncan, and Herro as the starting 5, depending on what we get for Butler. Bench- Highsmith, Jovic, Rozier, Burks (?), and, again possibly someone we get for Butler. Then, continue to develop Keshad, Pelle, Stevens, Christopher.
Heat need a third big to rotate with Bam and Ware, a starting replacement for “Quiet Quitter” and a PG.
Jovic is the third big. He and Ware are both young. it will take time, but the foundation is there
Maybe if he puts on 20 pounds and goes to mma camp to toughen him up in the offseason. I see him as more of a finesse player than a banger. He’ll do in the short run.
Exactly. Jovic, Ware and Bam is a formidable frontline. Just need a true point guard to pair with Herro.
I said from beginning Ware at C and Bam at PF. h4l jumped on the bandwagon much later. Now just need to get rid of quiet quitter and get a good replacement and it will be an entertaining season. Butler is seeing the team’s future without him right before his very eyes.
Well, admittedly, preseason, he did say he wanted Ware to start on day 1, which I said wouldn’t happen. But the bottom line is we all have finally gotten what we hoped for.
All three of us said Ware should/would be paired with Bam from the beginning. I was just messing with h4l for making it sound like he was the first and only one to say it and that I came on later.
rc wasnt on board from day 1 me u and bam were
Absolutely false. I said it when we DRAFTED HIM! I just told you he wouldn’t be a starter when the season began and you said he would. I was right and you were wrong on that. You also said as recently as a few days ago that Spo would *never* play them together. I kept saying he just hasn’t *yet* but that would be the future. When they played for 31 seconds the other day, I wrote never say never. You shouldn’t try to rewrite history old buddy. I gave you credit above ⬆️ and you don’t return the same. Wow.
That’s right RC. We have all been pushing for Spo to play Bam at PF and Ware at C from day 1. We just didn’t know when it would happen. I felt that if they were playing together by the playoffs, Miami could be dangerous. I still feel that way. The only exception is I thought Butler would be part of the line-up. It’s clear now he won’t be. He doesn’t want to play in Miami. No jersey in the rafters for him.
If Riley can trade Butler and a couple of the other high priced players for youth and picks, it will be the fasted rebuild/re-tooling in history. No fruitless 10+ year process like Philly.
bam ware ty jaime/jovic need a pg unless boston charlotte terry can remerge. game 2 vs portland i guarantee a w.dunc had a great great game today not sure how many of those we get.always need to take a shot at the hardest worker on the heat.he actually looks quicker and more athletic than ever
do u think he should have been in there from day 1 i never heard u say that if u did i apologize .i just heard spo say something like make us want to play him .well howbout giving it a try spo from day 1 our record would be alot better
No, h, all I said was that it was doubtful that he would start on day one of the season. But I looked forward to what we are seeing now. I actually hoped it would happen by game 20.
Reminding you studs that I literally posted his name as a player I wanted the team to draft. K thanks 😉
I’ve referenced you in the past for Keshad, Pullin, as well.
…and UD.
Spo, Spo Spo. How many times did I call you?
When we say Bam needs a big to play alongside him, there is a reason we say so
Yes, I know it Is just one game. It does just justify the calls all along to have Ware play alongside Bam together. All of a sudden our Big Bam looked like a midget on the floor, alongside Ware. Boy did it make a difference in the 2nd quarter and the rest of the game. Once the Heat took to the lead, there was no going back. . Ware outplayed Wamba.
Didn’t know it was that early here. Game was done by 6am Manila time just woke up at 7 lol
Good thing Heat won….ok back to sleep 😴😴😴
I don’t know if we are all kumbaya now. I don’t think you can erase the past, but perhaps we have no other choice. Anyway, for one day, at least the kids are all right.
new team new height new defense.season started today for me
Since this season started, and particularly with the Butler issue, it’s all been about the future. And today, the future looks brighter.
future looks taller to,cant remember last time we were taller than team b