Miemi Heats v. them, Dem Voodooboyz. Dec. 23rd, 7pm. Watch the show papi's

[RexBoyWonder]

Can KZ outplay A.Gordon?

I'm ready to find out

he almost did it.

I guess Harkless was too good to seat

[MettaWorldPanda]

Precious Achuiwa deserves a whole lot of minutes this year. Spo is going to have to figure out ways to play him with Bam.

[MarxyLebronist]

Thus far, Achiuwa looks like the best big in the rookie class, especially for this year’s games. Maybe Wiseman has more possible upside long term? But wow that’s a good get for Miami.

[SA37]

A few observations:

1. There is absolutely no reason for Iguodala to play outside of specific defensive situations/possessions. He's just a liability on offense and his D isn't good enough to justify extended minutes. The NBA is too competitive to play guys who can't play both ends. For me, he can join Haslem on the practice squad until Miami finds a trade for him.

2. It's going to be a long, long season if Miami is going to just run pick and rolls with Herro, Dragic, and Butler. Only 19 free throws for Miami.

3. There is hope Achiuwa can give Miami ~15 solid minutes per game.

4. I'd prefer to see Herro come off the bench. Also, it's really disappointing Herro played 32 minutes and did not shoot a single free throw.

5. 36 minutes is way too much for Butler. Nunn needs at least 15-20 minutes per game, otherwise Miami needs to trade him.

I'd be shooting for this kind of minutes distribution:

Leonard (12) / Olynyk (24) / Bam (12)
Bam (20) / Harkless (16) / Achiuwa (12)
Butler (30) / Robinson (18)
Robinson (10) / Herro (28) / Bradley (10)
Nunn (17) / Dragic (26) /Bradley (5)

[HIF]

So where has all that " we don't need to change this team to win the finals" optimism gone?

[HIF]

This was basically used as a pre-season game for the pros by Spo.

[Rock Hardy]

I watched the first half. Looks like we got got by the Terrence Ross game. That and a turnoverfest. Looked like a bunch of Jeremy Lins out there. Oh well, early days. The rotation isn't settled yet.

I'm not saying he sucks, but Mo Harkless was a questionable signing at the time, and looks questionable out on the floor. He was open a few times in the corner, and Herro called his own number in the paint. I got a eerie feeling that Ty (and probably some other players) don't have a lot of confidence in Mo's shooting. Again, it's early days, but you'd expect guys to want to help build confidence in these situations, by feeding the open man, miss or make. But Mo Harkless' first meaningful impression is that he ain't the one to fill Jae's role. Benching him after 1 game would totally kill his confidence, so I expect to ride out at least another handful of anonymous performances before we see KZ magically go from a DNP to starting.

On to the next one.

[KingDavid]

Any highlights?

Especially of precious?

[3ballbomber]

Really good game to start the season. From a teaching standpoint. Tough as nails Orlando team bustin' our butts.

We needed the L to get us ready for the season. Excellent effort by Orlando. They deserved to win.

Glad somebody understand what game's mean very early in the season.

A fickle bunch. We're back going @Spo after what we achieved last season in the bubble? We don't do that without coach.

Spo didn't look too concerned. It's the first game of the season. We have new players we must acclimate. We have new starter @ the 1. We're figuring out rotations. You're not going to play an optimal gm while we tinker & fine tune.

10-15 gm's in & we're not playing up to standard then hit the panic button. Give it a few gm's gents.

[3ballbomber]

double up

[MadD23]

Herro has a bad game, trade him or bench him. Fellow Heat fans at its best. MH I agree, no reason to play him over KZ. Also play Bradley over Nunn please.

[twix2500]

This was basically used as a pre-season game for the pros by Spo.

Spoken like a true realgm veteran

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Beenie]

Herro has a bad game, trade him or bench him. Fellow Heat fans at its best. MH I agree, no reason to play him over KZ. Also play Bradley over Nunn please.

Maybe Spo didn't play KZ in an effort to hide him.

And perhaps Precious was being showcased.

[El Alonzo scowl]

Contract the Magic, permaban Iggie. Someone deserves the blame for this fiasco.

[goodboy]

Op

do you have another prophecy in you this season

Not another.

But the one that will surpass them all.

Just wait

[SA37]

So where has all that " we don't need to change this team to win the finals" optimism gone?

Honestly, I don't think Miami is even the favorite to make it to the Finals. The East is ultra competitive and with 10 less games in the regular season and the playoff play-in, there is a little less wiggle room for slowly getting into the season without potentially falling dangerously close to a play-in.

Miami is going to be a very good team and might even make it back to the Finals, but I don't see this season as being a "championship or bust" or even "Finals or bust" year. It's a year for our young guys to develop and for Miami to see where they stand as far as team needs. I am expecting a trade before the deadline and then Miami will be able to add a FA and re-sign Robinson and Nunn (assuming neither are involved in a trade) and that will be the team that will be expected to get to the Finals.

[DayofMourning]

We had a ton of turnovers in this game. Just give them the bucket when they came to play. That'll wake the team up. Heck, the Pelicans will bring more of the same. Another deep team with something to prove.

[DayofMourning]

A look at our plus/minus losers last night:

Bam -12
Herro -7
Butler -5

Commonality between those three? They were also our chief offenders on turnovers.

Bam with 7 TOs
Herro with 4
Butler with 6

So our primary offense initiators last night had 17 combined turnovers. That needs to be cut in half.

[Rock Hardy]

You aren't doing Tyler Herro any favors playing him out of position. He's got some secondary playmaking skills, but a starting point guard he is not.

Yes and no. I think the early season is the time to give this a real shot. The amount of offense we can put on the floor to start games with Herro, Duncan, Jimbo, and Bam, is tantalizing. I think that's the idea at work here. The issue is that handles don't improve that quickly, and there's a ceiling imposed by the talent level of the player. More time won't necessarily yield better handles. Rio was a perfect example of that, as his handle improved, but never to the point of being a secure PG. Combo guards gonna combo guard. I think it's worth the effort right now, though.

[Bishop45]

So where has all that " we don't need to change this team to win the finals" optimism gone?

Honestly, I don't think Miami is even the favorite to make it to the Finals. The East is ultra competitive and with 10 less games in the regular season and the playoff play-in, there is a little less wiggle room for slowly getting into the season without potentially falling dangerously close to a play-in.

Miami is going to be a very good team and might even make it back to the Finals, but I don't see this season as being a "championship or bust" or even "Finals or bust" year. It's a year for our young guys to develop and for Miami to see where they stand as far as team needs. I am expecting a trade before the deadline and then Miami will be able to add a FA and re-sign Robinson and Nunn (assuming neither are involved in a trade) and that will be the team that will be expected to get to the Finals.

Don't think there will be any favorites unless Nets go on a tear, most of the top East teams are more or less on the same level