Q: With this particular team there will be plenty to see from both if Nikola Jovic and Kel’el Ware remain healthy. There will be 28 to 30 minutes from both regardless of who starts. – Douglas.
A: Agree that starting can be overstated. And a case can be made that neither Nikola Jovic nor Kel’el Ware to this point have made a definitive, incontrovertible statement with their play regarding locking in a starting role. For now, both are supporting players to Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, and perhaps to Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins, as well. That means the better fit should start. The better fit in the absence of Tyler arguably is Nikola, with his playmaking and shooting. But once Tyler returns from his ankle surgery, a case could be made for Kel’el. In essence, any ultimate decision likely needs to remain on hold.
Q: They need to get Norman Powell more involved offensively. – Ayee.
A: Agree that Norman Powell hardly had a featured role in Saturday’s exhibition opener against the Magic. But then again, in such limited minutes, did anyone? Part of the issue is the lack of a true starting point guard, particularly with Davion Mitchell out of the opener. But even Davion hardly is a prototypic playmaking type. For as much as the Heat hype the playmaking of Bam Adebayo and Nikola Jovic, again going without a pure playmaker presents its issues.
Q: They should have waited with the Nikola Jovic extension, but, hey, it’s their money to waste. – Culee.
A: A contract that locks in a player for the next five seasons at or below what will set up as the mid-level exception stands as a value deal as long as said player is a rotation player. For as many questions as there might be with Nikola Jovic, it is hard to fathom him simply falling out of the rotation. Now, the injury concerns are another story.