Category: NBA

MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 110-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors: – Yes, what was left of the Warriors fought the good fight for longer than could have been expected. – Far longer. – So, yes, there was an NBA level of competition on Wednesday night at Kaseya Center. – But in the personality-driven NBA, fans come for more. – They come for Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green. – They got none of that. – Yes, rest matters. – Yes, three games in four nights for an older roster is challenging. – But the NBA knew Curry was unable to play...

Observations and other notes of interest from Friday night’s 140-132 loss to the New York Knicks: – This is not because of the Karl-Anthony Towns first-half takeover. – Because he has done that to the Heat over the years even when the Heat have been whole. – Even when Bam Adebayo has been available. – But lack of size eventually catches up. – So if Adebayo isn’t available, as he wasn’t again on Friday night at Madison Square Garden, it leaves Kel’el Ware alone in the center rotation. – Because Nikola Jovic is not a power player. – Just not. – No matter how much the Heat’s rotation states...

SAN ANTONIO – Observations and other notes of interest from Thursday night’s 107-101 loss to the San Antonio Spurs: – Andrew Wiggins has spent the bulk of his career deferential. – Because save for his early years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, there mostly was something better alongside. – That certainly was the case with the Warriors. – The case alongside Tyler Herro with the Heat last season. – And then alongside Norman Powell at the start of this season. – Thursday, there was no Herro, no Powell, and not the jet fuel that had been Jaime Jaquez Jr. to start the season, with Jaquez...

MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Sunday night’s 115-107 victory over the New York Knicks: – This Jaime Jaquez Jr. thing is real. – Cast one moment Sunday at power forward. – Another at point guard. – Versatility on demand. – And efficient versatility. – He has made it very easy at the start of this season to forget who he is not. – (Enough about the 3s.) – (And enough about the comparisons to Jimmy Butler.) – He has made it about what he stands as. – An embraceable attacking presence. – The very type of energy this roster and this system needs. – Of all the factors in...