Q: If Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro are the top two players, who do you think will be three and four this season? Seems like Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins, but you never know. Think somebody else could sneak in? – John, Ocala.
A: I’m not sure there will be a definitive third wheel, which also could work to the Heat’s benefit. In addition to Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins there certainly could be moments when it’s Nikola Jovic or Davion Mitchell. Eventually, though, a hierarchy would help. Being a contract year, one would sense Norman Powell would love to state his case. One would think Nikola also would want to show a step forward. The wildcard is Andrew, who seemed to end last season still in search of a Heat niche.
Q: The Heat’s starting lineup in their preseason opener should be Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins, Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware. – Culee.
A: I’m not sure the best way to welcome Norman Powell would be to assign him to a reserve role in his potential Heat debut. Now, could Erik Spoelstra eventually get there for the greater good? Sure. But not sure that’s the approach to a player’s first action with his new team after a season of starting.
Q: There has been some amazing, competitive basketball played in Miami under the guidance of Micky Arison and Pat Riley over a 30-year span, and I’m not just talking about 2006 and the Big Three era. I’m talking about the Alonzo Mourning/Tim Hardaway/Dan Majerle/P.J. Brown, era as well. Great basketball. Micky Arison to the Hall of Fame is well deserved. – Douglas.
A: Which also means what came before also should be appreciated, considering Glen Rice, Matt Geiger and Khalid Reeves, drafted in the pre-Micky Arison era, were the prime outgoing components in the Alonzo Mourning trade, And in the Tim Hardaway trade, Bimbo Coles, another Heat pre-Micky Arison/Riley pick was sent out. In many regards, Stu Inman, the Heat’s first general manager, tends to get lost in the shuffle.
Originally Published: September 6, 2025 at 6:05 AM EDT
