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Q: I have to admit that all those Heat fans (and lurking haters) on social media, saying the Heat roster is comparable to the Bucks’ 2023-2025 teams with 48 and 49 wins and first-round playoffs ousters are probably correct. Do the Arisons have a crucial role in making the Giannis Antetokounmpo years a success? What’s your sense that they’ll be willing to operate in the first apron and pay repeater taxes for several years, to build a roster that’s truly competing for Eastern Conference finals and NBA Finals? – Morgan, New Orleans.
A: Pat Riley often has spoken of how when the Heat view themselves as contenders that Micky Arison has been willing to go deep into his pockets to maximize winning potential. Considering the extension the Heat already have paid Bam Adebayo and the extension the Heat are about to pay Giannis Antetokounmpo, plenty (in excess of $100 million a season) will be spent in that regard, alone. And, yes, whatever can be done within the parameters of the hard cap and repeater tax will assuredly be studied. But I also agree that work needs to be done, that a 50-win season is not assured with the current roster. And, yes, considering that the Bucks won 51, 58, 49 and 48 games in the four seasons prior to this past season, it will be interesting to hear next week why Giannis believes this Heat roster at this Heat moment is capable of more.
Q: Andrew Wiggins is your answer to close games. He is always playing second fiddle. He has scored more than 40 points 10 times. – Guillermo.
A: The question is not whether Andrew Wiggins can score 40 or more. The issue with this current roster mix is who can create offense with the clock running down and potentially the game on the line. Andrew Wiggins has not been that player for awhile. And it seems when put in that position, it takes him off his game. But at the moment, agree that the options on this Heat roster otherwise are limited.
Q: I say wait. Not just for LeBron James (he isn’t coming here) but the buyout market. There is no one left in free agency the Heat should rush out the door for. – Samson.
A: Hard to disagree, unless you remain a believer in Bradley Beal or DeMar DeRozan (I would lean more toward DeMar). The worst outcome would be to spend to the hard cap or even close to the hard cap and then have a better option become available. Camp does not start until the end of September and the season not until weeks after. There is no need to be locked in during the opening days of July.
Continue reading...
A: Pat Riley often has spoken of how when the Heat view themselves as contenders that Micky Arison has been willing to go deep into his pockets to maximize winning potential. Considering the extension the Heat already have paid Bam Adebayo and the extension the Heat are about to pay Giannis Antetokounmpo, plenty (in excess of $100 million a season) will be spent in that regard, alone. And, yes, whatever can be done within the parameters of the hard cap and repeater tax will assuredly be studied. But I also agree that work needs to be done, that a 50-win season is not assured with the current roster. And, yes, considering that the Bucks won 51, 58, 49 and 48 games in the four seasons prior to this past season, it will be interesting to hear next week why Giannis believes this Heat roster at this Heat moment is capable of more.
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Q: Andrew Wiggins is your answer to close games. He is always playing second fiddle. He has scored more than 40 points 10 times. – Guillermo.
A: The question is not whether Andrew Wiggins can score 40 or more. The issue with this current roster mix is who can create offense with the clock running down and potentially the game on the line. Andrew Wiggins has not been that player for awhile. And it seems when put in that position, it takes him off his game. But at the moment, agree that the options on this Heat roster otherwise are limited.
Q: I say wait. Not just for LeBron James (he isn’t coming here) but the buyout market. There is no one left in free agency the Heat should rush out the door for. – Samson.
A: Hard to disagree, unless you remain a believer in Bradley Beal or DeMar DeRozan (I would lean more toward DeMar). The worst outcome would be to spend to the hard cap or even close to the hard cap and then have a better option become available. Camp does not start until the end of September and the season not until weeks after. There is no need to be locked in during the opening days of July.
Continue reading...
