Just when you think you have the table perfectly set for the family get-together, the doorbell rings and in come a few recently acquired neighbors. That’s where the Heat stands. Before the injury to Tyler Herro, the roster seemed pretty well set for this season: Herro and Powell at the Guard spot, Wiggins and Bam as your Forwards, and aways improving Ware ready to command the Center post.
In the eyes of this writer, the style of the NBA game has evolved from muscle to being fit and fast. In the past, the Heat roster was thin on the big buys, but now they have what would appear to be the right mix of speed and size.
Then the doorbell rings and Herro departs the group for a few hours, or in this case several weeks. With his team-leading scoring and assist contributions put on the back burner, it will be up to Norman Powell and Davion Mitchell to set the table, with Wiggins and Bam settling in as Forwards, and Kel’el Ware feeling comfortable protecting the rim.
And we cannot neglect the ball-handling talents of Kasparas Jakucionis, the power of Nikola Jovic, the 7’ 1” 250 lb. size of Vlad Goldin and the size of Precious Achiuwa at 6’8” 243 lbs., as well as the energetic game of Jaime Jaquez, Jr. Of course, there are the unknowns, like whether Terry Rozier can contribute consistently and whether Pat Riley will make any trades or other acquisitions before the start of the regular season on October 21.
I have a feeling that, prior to that date, the team will go through several changes of direction before the final roster is set, at least for early in the season and until Herro returns, hopefully healed.
There are some tough match-ups in the early going, so we should discover early-on what is and what is not going to work long-term. It should be interesting, as usual.
Photos Courtesy Of The Miami Heat