Okay just rewatched the game in its entirety. Here is my outlook on the game.
Jimmy Butler - Nothing really unexpected, he is a star. His shot was not falling today but it happens. When his shot is not falling, he always find other ways of scoring.
Nunn and Bam - There is something special growing between the two. There is chemistry in the two man game between them. It was noticable in the Hawks game and carried over to the Laker game. Gave the Lakers and their elite defense problems. Individually, Nunn and Bam have shown obvious growth since the first game versus the Lakers. That first game, they both look like deer in headlights. Now they both are playing with aggression and confidence offensively. The Lakers had to key on them defensively. Nunn and Bam made some great plays against excellent defense and Lakers made some great plays defensively to stop Bam and Nunn. Nunn and Bam were capable of breaking the Lakers first line of defense, but the second line of defense was a challenge. Understandable, that length is something they cant practice against or see in other opponents. But I do see options that they can learn how to beat it, but it takes experience. That diffence can be just being a step faster or learning how to draw a foul when the Lakers are rushing to recover. They are not stars yet, but the possibility of both Nunn and Bam becoming stars is real.
Derrick Jones Jr - Jones played well and hard. Put up 17 points and competed defensively. But here is the problem vs big teams and a smart big teams. The will take advantage of his lack of size and they went at him. I understand the role Spo has for DJJ but his length and athleticism can only cover up his lack of size so much. The Heat can get away with DJJ defending bigs vs teams like the Hawks, but playoff time that is not gonna cut it. That miss rebound at the end of the game after a miss free throw, was because of DJJ getting out muscled by Green. DJJ was pushed way out of range for the rebound and Bam had to fight over Anthony and Green and lost. The Lakers also decided to cheat off of him defensively.
Chris Silva - Showed real growth him in this game. I thought he was going to get swallowed up by Lakers bigs. But he fought, wasnt scared or intimidated. Played physical and smart.
Duncan Robinson - The Lakers keyed on him a lot during the game. Lakers kept a defender chasing him off the ball, at all times. He played well, just needed his teammates do a better job of finding him when penetrating.
Tyler Herro - He looked like a rookie, but we all know he gonna compete and play hard. His game is very up and down. Lakers keyed on him at times. Learning experience
Kelly Olynk - KO was KO, he played his game.
Meyers Leonard - I have kept quiet on Leonard for much of the first two months on Mr Pump Fake. Giving him time to prove himself. Very nice guy and it helps that he is smart enough to be a defensive signal caller. But his limitations are showing very obviously. It was one thing to say okay he is not much use vs small teams. But if he cant be effective vs teams like the Lakers, he really doesnt have a purpose. The only purpose that I see, is to absorb fouls early to keep Bam from getting fouls. This has to be addressed, he has to be more of a factor.
Outside of making a big move for a big time player. The Heat should really start looking at other veteran role players to help the team in the playoffs. I think there will be moves to be had withouth losing the make up of the team. Mainly, someone to take DJJ role away from defending bigs, and replacing a better fit for Leonards role. The second time looking at this game, the more I see getting one of the Morris Brothers and a player like Portis can make a significant difference. Two veteran role players, who are not so limited in their role and are comfortable with either starting or coming off the bench. They both bring something on both sides of the ball, they are also very physical, and versitile enough they can fit in multiple units. Even a player like Iggy can help. The role players I would look at are;
Marcus Morris
Markief Morris
Bobby Portis
Andre Iguodala
There was another player I was thinking about, but I got a brain fart at the moment
