There’s been plenty of speculation this offseason that with the current makeup of the Heat’s roster that Jimmy Butler will play a lot of minutes at power forward. That’s not a prospect he relishes, he indicated during the team’s media day on Monday (link via Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald).
“I could play the four, yes,” Butler said with a smile. “If they absolutely need me to play the four, I could, yes. If they absolutely wanted to have a conversation about me playing the four, I could, yes. But I’m not playing the four.”
Caleb Martin might be the early favorite to get the starting nod and he’d “love to start” at power forward, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes. However, Martin is mainly concerned with being a part of the rotation.
“As long as I’m playing and can be productive, that’s fine,” Martin said, adding that he’s “flattered” that the team passed up on signing or trading for another power forward.
We have more on the Heat as they enter training camp:
- At 6’5”, Max Strus wouldn’t seem like an option to start at the “four” spot. He’s open to do anything that would make him a part of the lineup, Jackson adds. “Obviously I want to be starting again,” he said. “That’s my goal.” In part due to injuries to team members, Strus started 16 regular season and all 18 postseason contests last season. “You don’t start in the Eastern Finals and be considered a bad basketball player,” he said.
- Sixth Man of the Year award winner Tyler Herro expressed a desire after the playoffs to be a starter this season. Herro, a rookie scale extension candidate, has softened that stance, Chiang notes. “I’m a team player,” Herro, 22, said. “Whatever (coach Erik Spoelstra) and our organization wants me to do, I’m willing to do. Obviously, I have my own personal goals. But at the end of the day, the team is always over what I want to do as an individual player. So whatever they want me to do, whatever role they think fits me best, that’s what I’ll do.”
- In June, team president Pat Riley said Kyle Lowry needed to improve his conditioning. Lowry took that criticism with a grain of salt, saying he didn’t do anything differently this offseason and said his conditioning is “not a problem,” Jackson relays in a separate story. “Honestly, he has his opinion,” Lowry said. “Right? Everyone has their opinion and it doesn’t do anything for me. All I do is motivate myself, I always motivate myself.”
Not sure what they are doing. Not nearly enough rebounding on this roster
Maybe Riley doesn’t think your motivated enough. Never dismiss a Riley quote on a player’s conditioning. The fact he said it to the press makes me think he’s said to Lowry previously and didn’t think he heard him loud enough.
Totally agree. Lowry looked obese and moving in cement.
Kyle Lowry going to get himself traded with that attitude.
Jimmy Butler ain’t playing the Power Forward y’all can forget that.
They’ll play Caleb Martin or Max Strus at the 4 before they wear Jimmy Butler out like that. I actually just think Jimmy Butler about to have the best season of his career.
Trading for Jae Crowder makes sense for the Miami Heat at this point
Indeed Gardo, highly doubt Phx trades him to a West team so that helps Mia as well . Great fit
I think the Miami Heat starting lineup and rotation got the most question marks out of all of them. I know that Kyle Lowry Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo will be in the starting lineup but after I’m not sure.
If I’m Erik Spoelstra and from what I seen out of the Miami Heat last season this would be my rotation.
Starters
SF Jimmy Butler
PF Caleb Martin
C Bam Adebayo
SG Victor Oladipo
PG Kyle Lowry
Bench
SG Tyler Herro
G/F Max Strus
PG Gabe Vincent
C Dewayne Dedmon
G/F Duncan Robinson
I think with them being undersized in the front court they should put their best defensive players in the starting lineup on the wings. A healthy Victor Oladipo can be a All Star and Defensive Team consideration. Having a X Factor like him can go a long ways. Caleb Martin is undersized but he can guard four positions like P.J. Tucker did just in a different way.
So I’m extremely excited to see who’s going to be the starting lineup and the rotation. I know Tyler Herro wants to start but he’s better suited as a 6th man that finishes game with them.
No way Duncan needs to be starting
Jae Crowder is a very solid role player and will look great on the Miami Heat. I’m not sure if the Phoenix Suns want to take on Duncan Robinson and four more years though and they will still have to include somebody to make the money match.