Even if the squad is almost unchanged, the Heat will still innovate with the prospect of a new starting five for their first match, October 23 against the Magic. After a season weighed down by injuries and numerous absences, including that of Jimmy Butler in the first round against the Celtics, Miami is hungry for revenge, even renewal. Terry Rozier, who arrived last January in Florida, should definitely join the major five alongside Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Nikola Jovic.
“It actually surprised me a little”, says Terry Rozier when we tell him that this five major had never shared a single second together. “Erik Spoelstra told us so. He warned us that there would be ups and downs. We know it will work, but maybe not right away, at first. But when he said we never played minutes together, I thought it was crazy.”.
With the injuries at the end of the season, the five men had only played two matches together, but they had never been lined up all at the same time.
Unofficially, because preseason requires, the Heat's new major five were able to play together last Sunday, during the Floridians' victory against the Pelicans (101-99) and last night against the Hawks (120-111).
A new harmony to find
With a group finally complete (only Josh Richardson is treating his shoulder), the Heat want to bounce back with new resolutions. Erik Spoelstra in any case liked what he saw on Sunday against the Pelicans. “The defense was super active and disruptive. The ball circulated well, our attack was fluid. I liked what I saw”.
Ranked 21st out of 30 last year for offensive efficiency but also penultimate for ” pace “Miami wants to play faster this season, by being impactful in transition. “Tyler and Terry are going fast, they came back in great shape. Jimmy and Bam will adapt. We will always play through them, they are our bonds. But Tyler and Terry give us this extra energy”.
With the definitive integration of Nikola Jovic and its versatility since last season, Miami can present a fairly complementary five this year and hope to erase a disappointing 2023/24 campaign.
“ I want to get on the field, compete, play, feel comfortable, get acclimated with the guys. I think everyone knows that with Tyler (Herro), Bam (Adebayo) and Terry (Rozier), we didn't play a lot of minutes together. So this is the beginning of what everyone is going to see this season. We must therefore play as many minutes as possible, whether in training or during the preseason.” concludes Jimmy Butler.
