Kevin Love‘s first game with the Heat was forgettable, but there’s reason to believe things will get better, writes Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. “We have to just throw that one away,” Love said after going scoreless in a 29-point loss at Milwaukee. However, Jackson points out that the night wasn’t a complete disaster for the veteran big man. He had eight rebounds and four assists and seemed to mesh well with his new teammates after going through just one practice.
Jackson notes that Bam Adebayo tends to excel when he’s paired with tall power forwards who can shoot, which hasn’t been the case for nearly two years. The most prominent examples are Kelly Olynyk and Meyers Leonard, who are both similar to Love in what they can do on the court.
“The biggest thing for me is passing, starting that fastbreak, closing possessions on the defensive end, using my shooting ability to help this team,” Love said. “… Nobody has to cater to me. I want to make the game easier for these guys.”
There’s more on the Heat:
- Love’s addition means Caleb Martin is back on the bench after making 49 starts this season, Jackson adds. Martin, who was primarily a reserve during his first three NBA seasons, said he’s willing to accept whatever role coach Erik Spoelstra believes is best. “I prepared myself for something like that to happen,” Martin said. “It’s Spo’s job to figure out the best lineups, how guys fit in. He knows I’m one of those guys that’s willing to do what I’ve got to do.”
- New Bucks forward Jae Crowder had Miami on his list of preferred destinations during his long holdout in Phoenix, Jackson tweets. Crowder, who made his season debut Friday night, played for the Heat when they reached the NBA Finals in 2020.
- Because of an oddity in the schedule, the Heat won’t get their first look at P.J. Tucker until Monday night, notes Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. The defensive specialist played an important role in helping Miami post the best record in the Eastern Conference last season, but he hasn’t fit in as well with the Sixers. “Tuck always figures it out,” Spoelstra said. “I mean if you’re going to judge him by that last line in the box score, you are just really mistaken of how he can impact winning. Tuck does all those little, intangible things that really impact winning, that most people don’t really recognize.”
Heat need to sign IT
Tucker hasn’t fit in as well with the Sixers. Spoelstra said.
Waste the talent?
What was he thinking. Why did he leave Cleveland. Big mistake by both parties. The heat are just bi standards
Cleveland is in a crossroads. I think they are making a mistake. I think they can seriously compete this year, but I think they are looking more towards next year. Letting Mobley and Allen and the other younger guys develop more. They probably looking to make a good trade next season. If they can bring in a good role players trading Stevens, Wade and Osman, their priority is to build their value.
Hopefully the Heat go away from these rotations moving forward b/c this is worse than what they were doing before.
I still would have preferred a 4 over Zeller, and I dont get why he played against Milwaukee. I also wouldnt start Kevin Love, and would start Highsmith. Also when Lowry comes back, I think Duncan Robinson should start over Herro, and either Oladipo or Lowry should start at guard next to him. I think that would significantly help the Heat’s issues with their spacing and their bench,and put guys in their best positions to succeed. I feel like their deficiencies are more of an issue in different spots in the rotation