Q: I see a lot of dawgs out there on this Heat team. Bobby Portis said not today to Scottie Barnes and Pelle Larsson looks like a keeper already. – Doug.
A: First, no one need doubt the persistence of Bobby Portis. He is one of those players you love to have at your side and can’t stand having on the other side, as Toronto’s Scottie Barnes found out when the two during Saturday night’s exhibition were battling for something as mundane as positioning for a jump ball. And Pelle Larsson’s relentlessness also is beyond reproach So for all the skill of players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson and other leading men on the roster, over the 82-game grind you’re also going to need a degree of feistiness to get you over the top. That pugnaciousness is something that Bobby, Pelle, Davion Mitchell and even Dru Smith and Myron Gardner can deliver in support. For all the talk of the Heat’s pace and scoring, feistiness also will have to carry some of the days. And that is something this team appears built for, as well.
Q: Pelle Larsson saying he’s prepared to run point tells me he’s gonna lead the second unit with Tim Hardaway Jr. – King.
A: But while that was the case with the five-man unit that Erik Spoelstra put out Saturday against the Raptors, keep in mind that the rotation against Toronto also came with Dru Smith sidelined. So until Dru returns, we won’t necessarily get a true read of who steps in when Davion Mitchell steps out.
Q: Ira I couldn’t watch the game Saturday because I live in Cape Coral, what’s my best bet to watch all 82 games without restrictions? – DRob.
A: According to the Heat, all elements of their previous markets covered by FanDuel Sports Florida will be covered by new over-the-air outlets by the Oct. 21 season opener against the Timberwolves. Television coverage in the Palm Beach market is expected to begin with the Oct. 14 exhibition against the visiting Nets.