Ira Winderman: Heat pressure points undeniable with Giannis in mix
· Yahoo Sports
LAS VEGAS — With Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Miami Heat have gained an escape valve; when in doubt, have Giannis figure it out.
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But by giving up so much in the transaction, the Heat also have created pressure points elsewhere among those who remain from last season’s roster.
So, yes, it was a transaction embraced organizationally. But inside the locker room the fallout also means a mix of pressure points for the eight left standing from last season.
Pressure down, Bam Adebayo
All Bam Adebayo ever wanted was something close to an equal, a similar mix of size, athleticism and basketball IQ.
Instead, he got:
– Undersized sidekicks masquerading as power forwards, such as P.J. Tucker, Jae Crowder, Haywood Highsmith, James Johnson.
– Lumbering big men with mobility issues such as Meyers Leonard, Kelly Olynyk, Kevin Love, Cody Zeller.
– Or those without the synapse speed required in Erik Spoelsta’s systems, such as Hassan Whiteside and Kel’el Ware.
Now Adebayo doesn’t have to look out for others; he simply gets to be himself.
Pressure up, Nikola Jovic
Even before the Giannis trade, the pressure was peaking. But now with any missed time by Antetokounmpo, Adebayo or Bobby Portis, it will be up to Jovic to succeed in the power role he has consistently shied from playing.
Having grown comfortable last season after last summer signing a four-year, $62.4 million extension that kicks in this season, now it is a matter of playing up to that contract.
Flailing and failing with a lottery team is one thing, with few noticing. Similar struggles with a contender, will leave Jovic far more exposed.
Pressure down, Davion Mitchell
The problem with Mitchell’s dogged defense last season was a limited safety net if he couldn’t fight through every screen. Now, there are Antetokounmpo and Adebayo as backstops, allowing for an even more aggressive defensive approach on the perimeter.
Plus the open shots that had been there at the end of Mitchell’s first Heat seasons should be there again because of the attention on Antetokounmpo.
Much will be required of Mitchell if LeBron James is not added, but much already has been alleviated.
Pressure up, Pelle Larsson
Is there a shooting guard in the house? OK, there is Tim Hardaway Jr., but his best play has come in reserve.
Last season, Larsson was forced into 54 starts out of necessity. Now, unless LeBron James or a veteran shooting guard such as Bradley Beal or DeMar DeRozan arrive, the Heat likely will have to count on Larsson even more.
Pressure down, Andrew Wiggins
With Antetokounmpo and Portis acquired, Wiggins again gets to do what he does best, defend on the wing and play as a wing.
Yes, Wiggins has shown ample versatility during his time with the Heat, but the lack of roster continuity has also limited him from being his best self. And if LeBron arrives, Wiggins can be an even better self.
Pressure up, Simone Fontecchio
Try to find an NBA analyst who isn’t saying the Heat need more shooting. That is what Fontecchio will be up against as the shooter of choice (at least at the moment) signed by Heat this offseason.
If Fontecchio doesn’t make shots, the second-guessing will be considerable, considering how uneven he was at times last season. Then again, perhaps the added pressure is what is needed with far more Heat games of meaning expected this season.
Pressure down, Dru Smith
At the moment, with the trade of Jakucionis and no arrival at the moment of LeBron, Smith gets to slide into the role of backup point guard without roster competition.
That doesn’t mean that there won’t be pressure to live up to, just that there clearly is organizational confidence that, if necessary, he can hold down the job as Mitchell’s backup.
Pressure up, Myron Gardner
As with Larsson, the opportunity could be there on the wing in light of the Heat being so light on the wing.
The question is whether Gardner is up to such a moment, with it somewhat telling that, at the moment, only $500,000 of his $2.6 million 2026-27 salary is guaranteed. That’s what makes the ankle sprain that ended his summer league disappointing.
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