Spoelstra’s plan: Turn back clock
Dragic adjusting to role as reserve behind Winslow
MIAMI — The last time Goran Dragic played a significant portion of a season as a reserve, he shared a starting role with Kyle Lowry on the Houston Rockets in 2011-12. The last time he was a full-time backup was a season earlier.
“Behind Steve Nash,” Dragic said, as the Miami Heat continued preparations for Wednesday night’s season opener against the Memphis Grizzlies at AmericanAirlines. “That was in Phoenix. And it was Steve Nash.”
Now, after playing solely as a reserve in his four preseason appearances, with Justise Winslow serving as the starting playmaker, the 33-year-old guard is braced for what likely will become his 2019-20 destiny.
“Of course it will be an adjustment. But it’s still playing basketball, so it doesn’t matter,” he said. “What else can you do, but to be professional and do my job?”
To Heat coach Erik Spoelstra it is not a demotion, but rather an attempt to maximize Dragic’s possibilities.
“That’s the thing about Goran right now,” Spoelstra said following Monday’s practice. “He is still one of our All-Star talents. This is all about trying to make 32 look like 25. I think we can do it. I think he feels that right now, too.
“It’s about actually lengthening his career and giving him a template to be able to play at an All-Star level. It just may be a different amount of minutes and a different set up for him.”
While off by one year on Dragic’s age, the sentiment was appreciated.
“I don’t look at myself as 33 years old,” Dragic said. “I don’t feel like that. I still feel I can play. I’ve showed that I can play. So, I don’t think in my thoughts, ‘I’m older, I cannot play.’ I’m always going to do what I have to to be on the floor and that’s it.” He paused, smiled. “But, yeah,” he “thank you, coach.”
Yet he admitted he does not fully appreciate where this next chapter will lead.
“I mean, we’ll see, we’ll see, you never know,” he said. “This is the professional side of basketball you’ll never know. I’m just enjoying this moment, trying to be happy and do my job. Whatever the future holds, we’ll see.”
He already sees
“I mean, maybe it’s a little bit easier to play, because you’re playing against the second team,” he said.
All as he enters the year of his contract.
“Whatever it takes to win games,” he said. one
Heat guard Goran Dragic played the preseason solely reserve role. said, advantage. final