Gabe Vincent left for the Lakers, Damian Lillard transferred from Portland to Milwaukee and Jrue Holiday stolen by the Celtics, the Heat will not have resolved their problems at the end during the summer. If Erik Spoelstra can perfectly do without a playmaker, and leave the direction of the attacks to Jimmy Butler, this offseason could benefit… Kyle Lowry!
This is what he said during the “media day” : “I don’t expect to come off the bench. I will do whatever it takes for the team to win games, but I expect to be the starting point guard.” A statement that surprised Miami, and Erik Spoelstra quickly calmed him down.
“That’s what training camp is for, and that’s what preseason is for.” recalls the Heat coach, who wants to control the minutes of the 37-year-old veteran, now slowed down by his physique. “I love that Kyle thinks that way. A lot of players think like that, and we’re going to find the best five possible. »
Kyle Lowry plays with words
Following this response from Erik Spoelstra, Kyle Lowry asked journalists to listen more closely to what he said: “ I didn’t say I was going to be a starter, but that I expected to be. Remember the exact words: I expect to be. »
If his coach has not decided, it is because he is considering two other options. First there is Josh Richardson, who returned to the fold this summer. He’s more of a guard/winger but his dribbling is more than decent, and he directed the play in the first training sessions.
“I played point guard here, and a little bit in San Antonio” recalls Josh Richardson. “ Our system doesn’t really require a true playmaker. We can give the ball to someone like Bam Adebayo or one of the inside players, and play hand to hand. »
Dru Smith, the next discovery trained at the Heat?
The second option is more surprising since Erik Spoelstra is thinking of… Dru Smith, on a “two-way contract” for two years. Will he be the latest discovery trained at the club, like Max Strus, Gabe Vincent or Duncan Robinson? “ We were able to put together the most comprehensive training program for him for eight weeks, and he improved significantly” notes the Miami coach.
In the end, Erik Spoelstra does not think as a “playmaker” but as a… “quarterback”. “Kyle is obviously our decorated champion. He’s one of the greatest quarterbacks and one of the greatest minds in this league and he’s essential to what we do. (Josh Richardson) played a little bit of a point guard here, and we’re trying to get him used to playing a little more of the role he played with us before. And Dru Smith, discreetly or not, is having a very good camp. »
We will have to wait until Tuesday, and the first friendly match against the Hornets, to discover the choice of Erik Spoelstra, while Tyler Herro, another option on the position, works more as a full-back.
