Miami Heat News

Davion Mitchell has his sights set on an All-Defensive nod this season 👀: “Obviously for me, defense being my calling card, just wanna make an All-Defensive team. That’s kind of just been my mindset.” (via @MiamiHEAT, h/t @HeatCulture13)

LeBron James says Erik Spoelstra adjusted the Heat’s system after losing the 2011 NBA Finals: "Lot of pace, lot of space. Spo taught us that. I remember after we lost to Dallas, he went to Oregon and sat with Chip Kelly — that was their whole thing in football: pace and space… We’re going to make the defense real tired. Get to our sets. I’m going to give you two or three plays in advance." (via @mindthegamepod, h/t @HeatDiehards)

WEMBY’S ROAD BACK: FROM SETBACK TO SELF-MASTERY Victor Wembanyama’s physical gifts are obvious. At 7-foot-4 with guard-like ability, the 21-year-old star is a basketball anomaly. But entering Year 3, it’s not just his size or skill that sets him apart – it’s his mindset. Last season’s abrupt end – a blood clot diagnosis that sidelined him just as his superstardom was crystallizing – forced a rare pause in his ascent. It also sparked a deeper pursuit of growth. “The traumatic experience is very much linked to all the stuff I’ve done in the summer,” said Wemby at Media Day. “Obviously, to come back, rehab and be better than before… “But there’s also a big feeling that life isn’t forever and there are some experiences we’re going to miss on. It’s inevitable. But I’m going to miss on the least that I can.” After overcoming a scare few athletes ever face, Wembanyama took an equally uncommon road to recovery – starting in China’s Shaolin Temple, where he practiced Chan meditation and Kung Fu with monks whose focus is as spiritual as it is physical. “It was very much out of my comfort zone,” said Wemby. “[That] was my intent from the start … movements that I or NBA players aren’t used to doing… “So it really paid off in terms of training and as a life experience … it makes you understand lessons that nothing else could have made me understand.” Wemby's curiosity for the unknown took him from temples back to Texas, where he visited NASA’s Johnson Space Center, connecting with others who push the limits of what’s possible. “Meeting astronauts that have been to space or are going to [space], that was one of my favorite aspects,” said Wembanyama on the visit. “It was incredible.” That same spirit of exploration led him to another rare breed: Kevin Garnett – a generational big in his own right and ultra competitor who once famously declared, ‘Anything is possible.’ “He’s got a very unique perspective,” said Wemby on KG. “He’s very smart emotionally. He’s got this energy but knows how to channel it and use it for the best.” Part of what led Garnett to the NBA mountaintop in 2008 was his willingness to sacrifice individual accolades for winning, embracing a defensive role while Paul Pierce and Ray Allen carried the scoring load for Boston. That same selflessness surfaced in Wemby’s preseason opener on Monday, when he tallied seven assists – including one sequence he summed up perfectly: “I turned down a shot I can make with my eyes closed,” he said. “But that was to get one of my teammates a shot he can make in his sleep.” Tonight (7:30 ET, NBA TV), the Spurs return to action against Bam Adebayo, Norman Powell and the Heat, exactly two weeks before San Antonio’s regular-season opener in Dallas. For Wemby – the game’s great unknown, still pushing what’s possible – it’s another opportunity to keep growing.

The world needs @nbaonnbc to bring back the Bob Costas style monologues. Hey @NoahEagle15, you gonna help out @DarthAmin? 😂🙏

Norman Powell on the Heat offense: “Just finding my spots, letting the offense work. We’re emphasizing pace, space, and playing quicker…. they know what I can do, they know what I bring to the table. It’s just getting comfortable, finding the chemistry and flow with the guys on the floor.“ (h/t @WadexFlash)

Bam Adebayo on what he’s seen from Norman Powell so far: “You want that on your team, you want the guys that don’t necessarily need a play… create something out of nothing. We feed off that. We know who he is and who he wants to be. We want him to be a new version of Norman Powell but also let people not forget.”

Really small preseason sample size, and some key pieces still haven’t played yet, but I can see the Heat rolling with a 10-man rotation without Tyler to start the year: Mitchell Powell Wiggins Jovic Bam Smith Larsson Jaquez Fontecchio Ware As Spo says, see who “pops” the most

Heat have quietly turned their top priority from whale hunting to development

Despite Kel’el Ware’s 18 & 13 double-double in the Heat’s preseason loss, Spo still wants to see more of a winning impact from the big man: “I’m not looking at the statline, I think everybody is looking at the wrong thing, it’s got to impact the game.”

The Heat got a glimpse of POINT JOVIC last night against the Bucks 9 PTS 8 RBS 7 ASTS 2 STLS +12 Near triple-double in just 22 minutes of preseason action… 6’10 with natural playmaking, ball handling and vision Big year incoming from Niko 🗣️

Norman Powell was sizzling in his Kaseya Center preseason debut: 18 points in just 16 minutes 50/50/100 shooting splits Continuing that elite shooting efficiency from his career year last season. 🔥

Simone Fontecchio, Terry Rozier and Tyler Herro remained out of practice today for the Heat. Davion Mitchell, Pelle Larsson and Kasparas Jakucionis did some work.

Simone Fontecchio, Terry Rozier and Tyler Herro did not practice today. Pelle Larsson, Davion Mitchell and Kasparas Jakucionis did take part in some of practice.

Worth noting: The only airport in the United States with daily, year-round direct flights to and from Athens, Greece is in Newark, New Jersey. All other US airports that fly direct to Athens are currently seasonal.

Niko assisted on 4 of Powell’s 6 buckets last night in the first half That’s going to be one of the better two man connections this season it feels like Natural chemistry by the way Powell moves off ball and the way Niko distributes

60% of you were correct

LET'S GO CATS 🐀

The Knicks only have swaps in 26, 28, 30 and 32 plus a protected Wiz 26 first (if it lands 9 to 30). A very empty clip of draft picks…and where is KAT or OG or Bridges going to acquire enough value to flip for Giannis? That is why the Bucks didn’t take seriously any trade talks!

Was in attendance for this. Tremendous show. Fans were ecstatic. @ChrisRyan77 of course threw the entire draft off course with his use of the No. 1 overall pick in the NYC movie draft.

New ZL Show --->

Everybody go wish Jahmir a happy birthday 🥳

Last night’s Heat-Bucks recap

Join us in wishing Jahmir Young a HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY!

That’s gotta be the ugliest potential game winning touchdown drive ever lolol

🏀 MONDAY'S FINAL SCORES 🏀 Pete Nance leads the way for the @Bucks in their opening preseason W! Gary Trent Jr.: 11 PTS Kevin Porter Jr.: 10 PTS, 4 AST Kel'el Ware: 18 PTS, 13 REB