Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Heat set to debut Vice Versa jerseys against Thunder
When the Miami Heat take the floor Monday evening against the Oklahoma City Thunder, they’ll do so in their “Vice Versa” City Edition jerseys and an American Airlines Arena representing their final Vice concept.
“It has been a lot of fun,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said about the team’s four-year Vice campaign. “I don’t know how many head coaches actually care about that. But it has been fun from the perspective of the interest.
“I know for gifts for my family, it’s always the Vice stuff. They can’t get enough of it. It’s cool going around town and seeing the different variations of Vice gear out there.”
Spoelstra added that the latest version of the team’s Vice uniforms is “the best version,” with the Heat dawning powder-blue “Vice Wave”, black and fuchsia “Vice Nights”, fuchsia “Sunset Vice” and white Vice jerseys over the last few years.
City Edition jerseys are only available for a single season.
“Each year when they come with a new one, you’re like ‘Oh, they can’t top what they did last year.’ You wish they could just keep on going,” he said. “I just think the Vice thing fits Miami for many reasons, obviously, and our players have really enjoyed it. It’s good to have some fun with the uniforms.”
Whether sporting the new jerseys will help the Heat break out of their early-season malaise, a 2-3 start heading into Monday, remains to be seen.
“I don’t know, if we had fans then yeah,” Dragic responded when asked if players will be energized by debuting the new jerseys. “You try new looks, fresh shoes and with those jerseys, it’s going to be awesome. The only thing that’s going to be missing is the fans.”
The Heat are scheduled to wear the Vice Versa uniforms 11 times through the first half of the season (Dec. 22-March 4), according to the league’s “Lockervision” website:
Monday vs. OKC Thunder;
Wednesday vs. Boston Celtics;
Jan. 20 at Toronto Raptors (in Tampa);
Jan. 23 at Brooklyn Nets; Jan. 28 vs. Los Angeles Clippers;
Jan. 30 vs. Sacramento Kings;
Feb. 9 vs. New York Knicks;
Feb. 11 at Houston Rockets;
Feb. 17 at Golden State Warriors;
Feb. 20 at Los Angeles Lakers;
Feb. 24 vs. Raptors.
The second half schedule of the season (March 11-May 16) will be released towards the end of the first half of the season.
“I think the uniform is really pretty,” Heat rookie Precious Achiuwa said. “I like the mix of colors. Over the years, you watch guys like D-Wade (former Heat start Dwyane Wade) and all those guys even last year wear those jerseys and it’s just a lot of excitement on days those jerseys are worn. Me being in the position like this, I’m just really excited and can’t wait to go out, compete and represent in those uniforms.”
Bradley absent from practice
Heat guard Avery Bradley missed Sunday’s practice due to the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Bradley wasn’t ruled out for Monday’s game and was listed on the Heat’s injury report as questionable due to a stomach illness.
Gabe Vincent, who was listed as probable with right knee soreness, was the only other Heat player on the team’s injury report.
Bradley has appeared in four of the Heat’s five games so far.
He started in their 119-108 win against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday and is averaging 14.3 points in 25 minutes per game on 57.1 percent shooting from the field and 47.6% shooting from beyond the arc on the season.