South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Summer provided only some answers
Questions remain heading into Heat camp
This will be decidedly different, with 10 newcomers on the Miami Heat training camp roster.
Then again, based on how last season ended, there is something to be said about decidedly different, after falling to No. 6 in the Eastern Conference and being swept out of the first round of the playoffs by the Milwaukee Bucks.
As the Heat prepare for Tuesday’s start of training camp at FTX Arena, there is a sense that the front office has provided ample answers, starting with the free-agency addition of Kyle Lowry.
And yet, more than many recent seasons, there also are ample questions, including 10 prominent issues.
1. Is the addition of Kyle Lowry a path to salvation?
The last time a player set such a singular focus on the Heat in advance of free agency, Jimmy Butler burst through the door in July 2019, with the Heat never looking back, the type of lifeline needed for a franchise reset in the wake of the completion of the Dwyane Wade era.
At 35, Lowry arguably is on the older side of rescuers, but with Butler also in place, does not need to be the sole savior. What he does need to be is a defensive and playmaking upgrade over Goran Dragic.
If the Heat can contain opposing guards at the point of attack, and if they can consolidate playmaking, it alleviates considerable pressure on Butler and Bam Adebayo. That, alone, makes the Heat considerably better.
2. Is Jimmy Butler poised to make amends?
Ahead of last season’s playoffs, Butler said he was “stupidly locked in,” poised for something similar to what he produced in the Heat’s run within two victories of the 2020 NBA title. Instead, there was a hearty helping of humbling humility, a postseason shell of his 2020 playoff self.
Diminished by a midseason COVID bout and arguably asked to do even more than required a season earlier, Butler ended 202021 in need of support.
His request to the Godfather? Bring in the godfather of his daughter. So Heat President
The Heat’s 2020-21 season ended with a first-round sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks, and plenty of roster turnover.
Pat Riley did so with Lowry. The Heat never got to Wade/Butler, but Butler/Lowry could be a close facsimile.
3. Has Bam Adebayo reached a crossroads?
The growth has been exponential over Adebayo’s first four seasons, including the addition of both a floater and mid-range game.
But, as with Butler, the sweep at the hands of the Bucks exposed flaws, notably confidence to step into jumpers and the inability to contend with size on the glass.
Now at the start of five-year, $163 million extension, expectations rise commensurate to contract. Is there a $163 million game to unleash?
4. Is Victor Oladipo the ultimate wild card?
It certainly seems that way. With a healthy Oladipo, the Heat add another competitive component on the defensive end, as well as a shot creator on the offensive end.
But does that version of Oladipo still exist, after numerous knee and quadriceps procedures, including one as a member of the Heat in May?
If the waiting game ends with anything close to what Oladipo, 29, once was, the Heat could be poised for something special in the playoffs. If not, voids will remain.
5. Will Tyler Herro pump it up?
No, that Instagram photo was not Herro’s head superimposed on Brock Lesnar’s body. The thirdyear guard indeed has pumped himself up.
Now the question is whether that remodeling will be accompanied be a return of the swagger and scoring efficiency that had Herro on a trajectory as rising star at the end of his rookie 2019-20 season.
At minimum, the Heat need Herro to establish footing as instant-offense sixth man.
6. Do expectations rise with Duncan Robinson?
How can they not after going
IN THE LANE
STILL OUT THERE: With training camps effectively signaling the end of free agency, a surprising number of serviceable veterans remained without NBA roster spots entering the weekend, including former Heat players Tyler Johnson and James Ennis, as well as Wesley Matthews, Jeff Teague, Mike Scott, DeMarcus Cousins, Isaiah Thomas, Anthony Tolliver, Yogi Ferrell, Aron Baynes, Bismack Biyombo, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Ed Davis, Alfonzo McKinnie, Carsen Edwards and Brad Wanamaker. In addition, former Heat 2008 first-round pick Michael Beasley did not get a camp bid from the Portland Trail Blazers after playing for them during summer league.
LANDING SPOTS: In addition, several former Heat players found their ways to new homes in free agency, including: Wayne Ellington (Pistons to Lakers), Avery Bradley (Rockets to Warriors), James Johnson (Pelicans to Nets), Kelly Olynyk (Rockets to Pistons), Chris Silva (Kings to Timberwolves), Hassan Whiteside (Kings to Jazz) and Justise Winslow (Grizzlies to Clippers). As for the Heat’s 2021 departures, Trevor Ariza and Kendrick Nunn left for the Lakers, with Nemanja Bjelica and Andre Iguodala leaving for the Warriors. In addition, the Heat traded Precious Achiuwa and Goran Dragic to the Raptors. Among former Heat players who remained in place were Solomon Hill (Hawks), Rodney McGruder (Pistons) and Moe Harkless (Kings).
EXHIBIT A: For those who view Exhibit 10 tryout contracts merely as oneway tickets from training camp to the G League, Heat guard offers himself as a persuasive tale of what could be otherwise for such Heat camp prospects as Micah Potter, Javonte Smart, Dru Smith and D.J. Stewart. “It’s definitely tough to get an opportunity to showcase what you can do,” Strus said during a recent appearance on Duncan Robinson’s The Long Shot podcast.“Here, though, it’s different. I came into training camp last year, I was on an Exhibit 10, and I was coming off an ACL injury. So, I was like, ‘I’ll probably get some minutes here and there in practice or get some reps.’ But it’s a whole different animal here. I mean, they just let you play. They let you do everything. I mean, the first day of training camp, [assistant coach] Chris Quinn pulled me aside after I passed up a shot and he was like, ‘Dude what the hell are you doing?’“From that Exhibit 10 start to 2020 camp, Strus was converted to a two-way contract, eventually appearing in 39 games last season. This summer, he was shifted to a standard contract.
NUMBER
Players who have worn No. 0 or No. 00 over the Heat’s 34 seasons, with rookie guard Marcus Garrett (No. 0) becoming the latest. Mike Bibby, Toney Douglas, Josh Richardson and Meyers Leonard have previously worn No. 0. Milos Babic and Yante Maten have worn No. 00.
from undrafted, former Division III player to this summer’s fiveyear, $90 million contract?
While last season’s .408 3-point shooting certainly was efficient, it was not the .446 he shot in 201920. Based on the composition of the roster — and the loss of players such as Dragic, Kendrick Nunn and Andre Iguodala — the Heat will need the absolute 3-point best from Robinson.
7. Is there enough in support? With Oladipo out for the start of
the season, the primary bench rotation sets up as Dewayne Dedmon at center, Markieff Morris at forward and Herro at guard. While that certainly is serviceable, it hardly is dynamic. That is why much could be riding on Oladipo’s return.
It is what follows that creates a great unknown, should Erik Spoelstra have to turn to the likes of Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, KZ Okpala or Omer Yurtseven. There are no proven commodities there.
8. Is there a backup point guard in
the house?
Yes, we’ve been here several times over the years with Riley/ Spoelstra rosters.
And there certainly are creators in the mix beyond Lowry, be it Butler advancing the ball or Adebayo serving as a fulcrum from the elbow.
But if the point of the offseason remix was to ease those burdens on Butler and Adebayo, then the pointed need for another point guard remains.
Perhaps that becomes Oladipo upon his return.
But on the nights when Lowry, at 35, inevitably has to miss time, is Gabe Vincent enough of an answer for a team with contention aspirations?
9. Will Erik Spoelstra consider the next big thing?
The Heat coach assuredly will, during Monday’s media day, say he is “open to anything and everything.”
And yet, rarely during Adebayo’s tenure has Spoelstra gone with muscled, rebounding, intimidating height alongside Adebayo, balking with Hassan Whiteside and then Dedmon.
Considering how the Heat are small at power forward, with P.J. Tucker and Morris, this could be a time to at least consider the possibilities of Adebayo/Dedmon or Adebayo/Yurtseven.
10. Is tax line a line in the sand?
We certainly will find out soon enough, with the Heat expected to open the season with 14 players on their standard roster, one below the NBA maximum.
That will keep the Heat just below the onerous payroll luxury tax. But it also could leave the Heat thin on manpower in another COVID-impacted season, considering Oladipo is out for the start, Udonis Haslem no longer plays, and Okpala hardly created optimism with his uneven summerleague performance.
With a significant injury on the roster, or with a loss of players due to pandemic protocols, the tax may yet have to be confronted.