Q: Ira, I can understand Erik Spoelstra wanting to start Nikola Jovic. The Heat just made a big commitment. But why at the cost of knocking down Kel’el Ware? – Ralph.
A: Not starting Kel’el Ware in the preseason opener hardly is a tell about how the next seven months are going to play out. Just as starting Nikola Jovic hardly has anything to do with his contract extension. Erik Spoelstra’s responsibility is giving his team the best chance to win on any given night. and there will be many given nights at the start of the season when the Heat will be without Tyler Herro. In light of Tyler’s absence following last month’s ankle surgery, there is plenty to be said about injecting Nikola’s playmaking and shooting into the opening mix. But also keep in mind that Spoelstra routinely revisits his lineup over the course of the season. So just as Kel’el moved into a first unit at midseason last season, there is no reason it can’t happen again, perhaps sooner rather than later.
Q: Ira, what’s the level of concern with five guards missing the preseason opener? – Wes.
A: The short answer would be little to none for everyone this side of Tyler Herro, considering Saturday’s game against the Magic was the first of a league-high six exhibitions for the Heat, with the regular season not opening for the Heat until Oct. 22 in Orlando. That said, any time missed by a young player has to be considered a setback, so that certainly would be the case with Kasparas Jakucionis and even Pelle Larsson, considering the expectations for an increased role for Larsson. Otherwise, the Heat know who Herro, Davion Mitchell and Terry Rozier are, and it’s not as if games such Saturday impact the long view. The only “concern” would be the number of games Tyler will miss during the regular season.
Q: Ira, do you think the Heat will play their main players Monday? – Eddie.
A: Teams generally try to take care of their home fans in the preseason, so that could be the case Monday in the Heat’s home preseason opener against the Bucks. But the priority also is health, so it’s not as if anyone is going to be rushed back (there are no formal team injury reports during the preseason). So definitively no Tyler Herro, beyond that, it will be a case of Erik Spoelstra doing right by his roster, with the Heat right back at Kaseya Center on Wednesday night for an exhibition against the Spurs.
