Q: Knowing how Erik Spoelstra has certain guys on a short leash, isn’t Nikola Jovic the one who’s going to have to produce from the get go, starting in training camp, or he will find himself with a lot of “DNP – Coach’s Decision” in the box scores? Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, Davion Mitchell, Bobby Portis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Pelle Larsson and Dru Smith make nine in the rotation. Spo will go with Giannis, Bam and Portis taking up most of the 96 minutes available in the “Big” spots. – Morgan, New Orleans.
A: Or Nikola Jovic could make himself indispensable. Hear me out: If Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson can show quality and consistency during the preseason, then the Heat will have two end-of-rotation players who basically can fill in anywhere in the rotation, Larsson from one through four, Jovic from two through five. Over an 82-game season, you need the occasional Swiss Army Knife, a jack of all trades. Jovic and Larsson have the diverse skill sets than could – in a perfect world – step in with whatever is needed.
Q: What do you think about Giannis Antetokounmpo having his own personal coach? – Eddy.
A: Actually, very little to nothing. It is not at all uncommon for elite, top-tier NBA stars to have their own people alongside. That’s not to diminish the role of Vin Baker regarding overall responsibilities as a Heat assistant coach, just that in a league where only five play at a time and where one can make a significant difference, it is better to have a player’s inside man inside, rather than a team being out of the loop with such development. For years, Heat players have been assigned to one particular assistant for their workouts and development. So now it is Vin Baker who will work with Giannis, just as Malik Allen will continue to work with Bam Adebayo. It has gotten to the point where the coach-to-player ratio in the NBA practically is 1:1, anyway.
Q: So Vlad Goldin is here to stay, with training camp at FAU? – Steve.
A: Well, at least through training camp. But of the three two-way players (the NBA maximum) on the Heat roster, Vlad Goldin probably is more at risk for being subbed out for another player than Tre Donaldson or Keshad Johnson.