Rumors

The Heat’s biggest move this offseason — up to this point — is its trade for veteran guard Norman Powell, who was among six NBA players who averaged at least 21 points per game while shooting better than 48% from the field and better than 40% from three-point range last regular season. “We know we have to improve,” Spoelstra continued. “We knew we had to do some things this offseason. We know that we have to have a really good training camp, which I think we will. Guys are going to come in prepared. We’ll have a productive August and September. Everybody is motivated. We’ve had plenty of time off. Everybody wants to just gear up and get ready.”

Miami Herald

Spoelstra is also looking into the Heat’s in-game collapses, as Miami blew a double-digit lead in a league-leading 22 losses last regular season. The Heat also wasted a fourth-quarter lead in a league-leading 21 losses last regular season. “Those close games are something that we’ve really analyzed,” Spoelstra said while in Las Vegas for summer league action, which the Heat will wrap up Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks’ summer squad (7 p.m. ESPN+). “That can change the trajectory of your season if you handle those moments of truth better, if you have a few more wins out of those groupings of games that were very winnable with fourth-quarter leads and that kind of stuff. The whole league is trying to figure that out. But that has given us something to really dive into. And then offensively, building a system where it can be dynamic and a little bit tougher to just prepare for if you’re on the other side.”

Miami Herald

And, yes, Ware took stock of Spoelstra’s admonishment. “I mean,” Ware said, “it all comes down to like Spo said, just putting in the effort, going out there and playing. That’s just what I wanted to show that I can do. “I just took it as motivation. Obviously, he’s the coach and he has that trust in me and he wants to see me be the best that I can be. So I took it as motivation.”

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

With an NBA source confirming to the Sun Sentinel that the Heat’s plan at the moment is to move forward with Andrew Wiggins for training camp, Erik Spoelstra spoke of how the goal is getting Wiggins in a comfort zone. “I think there’s still real opportunity for growth with him as he gets comfortable with us,” Spoelstra said, with Wiggins acquired in the Feb. 6 deal at the NBA training deadline that sent Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors. “He’s already down in Miami right now and will be bringing his family in. He’s going to be here most of August and September, I think just to get more acclimated. And I think that’s really important for him.”

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Erik Spoelstra: “It’s not easy changing teams midseason. But you can see the possibilities of the two-way play. He’s really dynamic defensively. He can guard, in our system, multiple players. Offensively, his skill set is really unique because you can go to him.”

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

“Niko had a really good June and late May,” Spoelstra said of Jovic’s time in the Heat gym. “He’s put on some strength, too. He’s just going to come back looking different. Every year, he comes back stronger, bigger. I’m excited about his improvement.”

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Ira Winderman: With Kevin Love gone, Erik Spoelstra says leadership has to come from all levels. Mentions Tyler Herro.

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Ira Winderman: Erik Spoelstra says not happy with dialogue about Jaime Jaquez Jr. Say two had good conversation. Says improvement will come. “He and I just talked about clearing his mind.”

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Ira Winderman: Erik Spoelstra says he had a “beautiful conversation” with Duncan Robinson about trade. Appreciative of Robinson’s perseverance.

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Anthony Chiang: Erik Spoelstra says Kel’el Ware needs to continue to improve his “professionalism.” “The talent is there,” Spoelstra added.

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Ira Winderman: Speaking at summer league, Erik Spoelstra downplays East being wide open. Says thinking it could be easier is “a loser’s mentality.”

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Anthony Chiang: During an interview at summer league practice in Vegas, Erik Spoelstra says Andrew Wiggins is already back in South Florida and views him as an important piece of the Heat’s rotation next season.

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For those who have been watching the Miami Heat for the last decade-plus, Eric Glass is a familiar face. Not only did Glass just complete his 15th season with the Heat, but he also has a resemblance to longtime Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. It’s a resemblance Glass is aware of and has learned to have fun with. “We’re the same height, we have the same hair, complexion is a little bit the same,” Glass said with a laugh. “So definitely, I get double takes all the time. People on the plane or something like that will think I’m Spo. It didn’t bother me. “But now I make a joke about it. I used to tell people when he was around just so he would get [upset], I’m like: ‘That’s my dad.’ We have about an 11-year difference, but I try to make him feel older by saying that and just get a chuckle out of it. But yeah, I get it a lot. I just try to roll with it.”

Miami Herald

Michael Beasley reflects on his time with the Miami HEAT: “If I were to ask for grace for my maturation process, I’d give [Erik Spoelstra] his. Me and Spo were both rookies. Just as much as I was scared of Riles and the front office, he was too. The more opportunities I wanted was in fear of trying to change the program.” “I wish I could’ve won a championship… bro, Boris Diaw beat us.” (via @thebig3 )

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