Heat coach Erik Spoelstra discussed many training camp-related topics this week, including who may start at power forward this season, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald writes. As of now, it seems unlikely Jimmy Butler will slide up to the four.
“My thing with that is I would love to be able to, at some point in Jimmy’s career, just start him at all five positions,” Spoelstra joked. “I’ve already started him at point guard. I’ve started him at his natural position, the three. I’ve started him at the two. I’ve definitely played him at the four, and he’ll play some four this year, not likely starting him there.
“But, man, that’d be cool to start him at the four at some point, whether it’s this year or the future. And then, for sure, start him at the five. That would be a great legacy. But Jimmy is a brilliant competitor and basketball player. He’ll make it work no matter what position we have him at. But playing him at his strengths is important to him and to me and to the team.”
As Chiang notes, Butler has already made it clear that he doesn’t want to replace P.J. Tucker at the four. Other contenders for the team’s power forward spot include Caleb Martin, Haywood Highsmith and Bam Adebayo — though Adebayo would only make sense if Omer Yurtseven or Dewayne Dedmon start at center.
Here are some other notes from Miami today:
- Spoelstra appreciates the “ambition” of so many players who want to start this season, Chiang writes in a separate article for the Miami Herald. Other potential starters include Tyler Herro, Victor Oladipo, Duncan Robinson and Max Strus — all of whom believe they’re worthy of that role. Herro easily has the best case, averaging 20.7 points on his way to winning the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award last season.
- Martin, who also spoke about the team’s open starting forward slot, suggested that anyone who questions his ability to fill the role is showing some disrespect. “To me, it’s kind of a sign of disrespect a little bit that people are so worried about it,” he said, as relayed by Anthony Chiang. Of course, Martin is only 6’5″ and 205 pounds, so it’s understandable for fans to question whether he can play heavy minutes at power forward.
- Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald examines a number of Heat topics, including why Udonis Haslem doesn’t want to get into coaching. Haslem is entering his 20th NBA season. He has served as a valuable locker room presence in recent years, but has only played a combined 18 games over the past three seasons.
Let’s see Bam at the 4 with Omer. Bam needs a signature move and at the 4 will be a terror defensively. Omer will dominate the boards so Bam will be free to use his athleticism.
Totally agree with part 1 of your comment. Bam isn’t a 5. Jojo chewed him up then obliterated him at the 5. Sadly the same goes for Omer. Truly believe the heat dont have a true power forward on this roster.
Embiid averaged 19.8/9.8 on a 42.6 FGP with 12 turnovers against the beast in the Eastern conference semis against the Heat. That’s far from “obliterated” in fact I’d say he struggled.
Stats dont tell the entire story when using the term obliterated. Both hit the bench as joel Emvp abuses them physically into early foul trouble or out. Neither can handle him. Not to mention my friend, neither can do anything offensively against the African warrior. And as a side note ,jojo did have a fractured face and was playing with a torn off thumb!!
Adayo averages 11.7 points and 6.7 boards against Philly for his career, 13.5 points and 8.3 boards against the rest of the League. Coincidence? I think not.
I am not a sixer fan, but Embiid is a monster.
Embiid is a beast but Bam has more than held his own when he guards him.
Exactly!!! Bam Adebayo did a great job against him. Joel Embiid struggled like crazy. I watched every second of that series and Bam Adebayo did a great job when he was on him.
Bam guarding a man with his face shattered and his thumb hanging off and he held his own impressed you champ ,tells me you impress easy. I’m assuming you must be a fan of a team that is historically soft like oh I don’t know the jazz or the Knicks . Your opinion is therefore mute.
Omer is a 5, Bam is a 4.
I agree jojo obliterated both at the 5. I also agree bam should move to the 4 as the heat have no legitimate 4 on the current roster. So thanks for agreeing.
Stood next to the Martin twins at summer league
They arnt any bigger than me and I’m 6’3” 240
So they are NOT PF
Any whispers of how Orlando Robinson is showing out/shown out of camp??
Pat Riley does have a long and proven history of developing forwards such as Anthony Mason and J Johnson who probably would not have found the same success elsewhere. There’s Robinson and Cain and certainly curious about D Days…
So I kinda like this trade idea. Not sure which team would do it, but it makes sense imo.
Suns gets: Markkanen and Gabe Vincent
Heat get: Jae Crowder, Cam Payne, and Rudy Gay
Jazz get: Duncan Robinson and some draft picks (not sure who gives up what)
Jimmy Butler will remain at Small Forward and Bam Adebayo will remain at Center. Caleb Martin will get the Power Forward position. The one I’m interested in seeing his who will get the Starting Shooting Guard Position.
Martin I see as a 2/3 combo but 4?
He’s 210 soaking wet
Keep an eye on Jovic. He fits into the Kelly O slot well offensively, has great upside potential.
Maybe later this year, sure. But he’s probably too raw right now to contribute much
Udonis Haslem not trying to coach because he wants to buy a piece of the Miami Heat. The Arison family might let him in.
Randle for Herro ……. right now.
Riley laughs and hangs up
Riley might even block the number.
That’s funny
Jovic is a nice talent. Heat is a good place for him. They bring their young talent up right. Always get the best from them.