Q: Why is it so hard to see Nikola Jovic at the three playing alongside Kel’el Ware? Why push this thing him vs. Ware who starts? You don’t want to hurt Andrew Wiggins’ feelings? Or you don’t think Jovic can play the three effectively next to Bam and Ware? – Swann.
A: As long as Andrew Wiggins is on this roster, he is one of the Heat’s five best players, based on his career body of work, and even his productivity at the end of last season with the Heat. The same is not as absolute with Nikola Jovic. Now, if you’re saying this should be more about the future, then fine, trade Wiggins and move on. But lineups are as much a factor of roster composition as individual skill sets. And on this roster, starting both Nikola Jovic and Kel’el Ware together does not maximize the mix. All of this is part of the Heat’s lack of commitment to picking a lane. To a degree, this is a developmental roster. But this also is a team committed to chasing a playoff berth.
Advertisement
Related Articles
Q: You seem to have locked in Kel’el Ware as our future at center, but I am not convinced. He reminds me too much of Hassan Whiteside. Although he has a better offensive game than Hassan had, he exhibits the same lack of hustle. And where is Hassan now? I hope that Ware proves me wrong. – Irwin, Boynton Beach.
A: First, Hassan is now retired at 36, after building a career that had him playing professionally as recently as this past season in Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, it is fascinating how polarizing Heat big men can be. Some insist Kel’el Ware be locked into the starting lineup and the Heat move on from there. Some have Hassan Whiteside-like concerns. So here’s a reality check: Players drafted at No. 15, as Kel’el was in 2024 don’t always go on to become NBA starters. In is a player list of No. 15s that includes Kobe Bufkin (2023), Mark Williams (2022), Corey Kispert (2021), Cole Anthony (2020) and on and on, through the likes of Sekou Doumboya, Troy Brown Jr., Justin Jackson and Juancho Hernangomez, a list dating through the past decade.
Q: They need Terry Rozier to give Heat scoring off the bench. I predict a strong comeback for Rozier. – Dan.
A: Comebacks rarely start with hamstring strains, so there already is that with Terry Rozier. But it will be curious, very curious, to see the approach when Terry gets back, whether Erik Spoelstra and the Heat would dare feature Terry during the regular season, and thereby complicate the decisions with their developmental pipeline in the backcourt.