1 00:00:14,839 --> 00:00:19,480 What is up, fellow thermonuclear A efforts. I am Dan Favalley coming at 2 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:23,440 you with yet another twenty twenty three, twenty twenty four NBA team look ahead. 3 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:26,719 We're on to the Miami eat and that means I get to speak with 4 00:00:26,879 --> 00:00:31,399 a lot of Taphauer, who has agreed to come out of podcasting retirement specifically 5 00:00:31,440 --> 00:00:34,880 for this episode. So this should be awesome and we should all thank her 6 00:00:35,039 --> 00:00:38,359 very much for agreeing to come on. Alana, how the heck are you 7 00:00:38,439 --> 00:00:43,280 doing? You're gonna get me very unfiltered and unhinged. I think, Uh, 8 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:45,920 it didn't sleep great. It's a Monday, I have a meeting right 9 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:48,560 after this, so I am excited to be here though. And the heat 10 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:53,560 have been fun so far. Three preseason games in I think so looking good. 11 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:57,719 I thought you were gonna say fun relative to the offseason shatter and everything, 12 00:00:57,759 --> 00:01:00,520 and I was like, fun is certainly a word to describe, well, 13 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:04,920 what had happened? Uh. We should probably begin there though, the 14 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:10,000 Damian Lillard stuff, but I wanted to actually ask you about the finals run 15 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:12,280 real quick because on this podcast we spent way too long trying to figure out 16 00:01:12,280 --> 00:01:15,439 what the hell was going on. Is what was the secret sauce of that 17 00:01:15,680 --> 00:01:19,760 just turnaround? They were a team that was weird in the regular season wherea 18 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:23,519 was the defense was great and the offense ticked up, but the defense pulled 19 00:01:23,560 --> 00:01:26,400 back. There was injuries, but they just they make it to the finals. 20 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:29,439 What was like what went into that? What was the biggest thing that 21 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:34,239 just like changed for them? Honestly, I've said this for seasons. The 22 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:38,920 only like constant about this team is their inconsistency, and it used to drive 23 00:01:38,959 --> 00:01:41,439 me nuts, But at this point I'm just kind of leaning into it. 24 00:01:42,239 --> 00:01:45,120 I just think like anything is possible with them, and obviously, I mean 25 00:01:45,359 --> 00:01:49,000 Jimmy, Jimmy's just built for this. And it's not to say that they 26 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:53,000 don't care about the regular season. I just think there's another level of play 27 00:01:53,040 --> 00:01:56,400 when it comes to the playoffs. I think everyone was clicking at that point, 28 00:01:57,120 --> 00:02:00,400 and honestly, like, let's be real, the national media, it's 29 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:04,280 not even that they hate us, they just it's like we don't exist. 30 00:02:04,319 --> 00:02:07,920 And I think that that makes the players want to do more and better for 31 00:02:07,199 --> 00:02:13,159 not only obviously the fans, but the organization and themselves. So it was 32 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:17,240 one heck of a run. I honestly, that was probably in recent times 33 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:22,840 like my favorite run to see just because everyone was doubting and really, I 34 00:02:22,879 --> 00:02:24,719 think up until the end, I don't really think anyone really knew what happened. 35 00:02:24,719 --> 00:02:28,719 I know there are people out there who said, you know, Denver 36 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:31,159 was a lock to begin with, but I maybe it's just biased. I 37 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:35,000 just never felt that way. I think that we had it from the get 38 00:02:35,039 --> 00:02:38,240 and we could have gone all the way. But yeah, that was a 39 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:42,479 lot of fun. And this team always as full as surprises. Uh. 40 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:46,120 What was probably not surprising though, is their link to Damian Lillard over the 41 00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:49,360 offseason, because they tend to get linked to any stars that become available, 42 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:52,159 and especially stars that name them as the only team that they would like to 43 00:02:52,199 --> 00:02:54,240 go to. I want to start here very quickly, not because I don't 44 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:57,080 want to belaevor too much some of that. But what did you make of 45 00:02:57,159 --> 00:03:01,719 just the discourse surrounding the negotiations and the leads and the pivoting and depositing coming 46 00:03:01,719 --> 00:03:06,000 from both sides or I guess like all eight sides when you factor in Damian 47 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:08,039 Lillard, his camp, the Miami media, the Portland media, the teams 48 00:03:08,039 --> 00:03:15,439 themselves. This was the first time that I actually bought into it a little 49 00:03:15,439 --> 00:03:20,479 bit. I usually when we're linked to someone. I mean, how many 50 00:03:20,479 --> 00:03:23,800 times have we talked about Bradley Beale. It's been what five six summers. 51 00:03:23,639 --> 00:03:28,199 I don't really tend to believe a lot of what's out there. And not 52 00:03:28,240 --> 00:03:31,840 only that, I just a lot of the time I feel like we're almost 53 00:03:31,879 --> 00:03:36,520 doing the team of disservice when we are counting on these huge names to come, 54 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:38,560 as if you know, without them, we can't get anywhere. But 55 00:03:38,639 --> 00:03:43,560 Dame was the first time and the first situation that I actually thought it may 56 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:46,240 happen, primarily just because you know, we were hearing from him and his 57 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:53,919 camp itself. I am still a little bit unsure as to what happened. 58 00:03:53,599 --> 00:03:58,280 I know that there's reports on both sides, you know, saying that the 59 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:02,000 Heat were unwilling to give what was reported, and then I've also heard that 60 00:04:02,039 --> 00:04:06,560 the Heat you know, did far and beyond what they said. I'm ready 61 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:11,199 to move on from it. I'm sure Dame is ready to move on from 62 00:04:11,199 --> 00:04:15,680 it. I don't love that they keep posting pictures with him in Milwaukee looking 63 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:18,040 you know, upset or like he's not happy. It's just can we can 64 00:04:18,079 --> 00:04:21,480 we not do that, like give the man a break. I don't know, 65 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:27,120 it's the whole thing was crazy. I don't understand kind of how we 66 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:31,759 got so far away from him coming here, but it is what it is. 67 00:04:31,839 --> 00:04:36,000 At this point, I don't know really what to believe despite the body 68 00:04:36,079 --> 00:04:40,040 language doctors and what they may say. I do think he's actually pretty stoked 69 00:04:40,079 --> 00:04:43,519 to be in Milwaukee, and so judging from photos last night, Yeah, 70 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:46,160 if we're really going to go into every single photo and every single moment with 71 00:04:46,199 --> 00:04:51,560 his family, I think the stuff that actually matters to the negotiations is twofold, 72 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:55,800 and it's first the players that left. When you look at Gabe Vincent 73 00:04:56,160 --> 00:04:59,079 Max Strus, do you think the Heat kind of acted like a team this 74 00:04:59,120 --> 00:05:01,680 offseason that thought they were gonna get Damian Lillard When you see that those two 75 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:05,000 guys just just sort of left, Or do you believe that they always would 76 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:09,759 have played it super tight when it came to what those guys cost, or 77 00:05:09,839 --> 00:05:14,920 just maybe from a distance, do you think that the media is overvaluing what 78 00:05:14,959 --> 00:05:19,519 they meant to that team. It's hard for me to believe that pat Riley 79 00:05:19,759 --> 00:05:25,079 had tunnel vision to the point of not even entertaining the idea that day might 80 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:27,839 not come here. I'm not saying that, you know, he wasn't willing 81 00:05:27,839 --> 00:05:30,839 to do whatever it took, or that he wasn't, you know, making 82 00:05:30,839 --> 00:05:34,480 the proper strides in order to make that happen. But I don't know the 83 00:05:34,600 --> 00:05:39,920 narrative of him, you know, and just the front office in general not 84 00:05:40,319 --> 00:05:43,800 doing what they needed to do in case or not having a plan be to 85 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:46,879 me, it just doesn't seem realistic. I you know, really liked both 86 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:49,360 Gabe and Max, and I think that they added a lot to the team 87 00:05:49,519 --> 00:05:55,319 in that particular run. But let's not forget that in the beginning of the 88 00:05:55,319 --> 00:05:59,079 season, Heat fans themselves were not very high on them, and they they 89 00:05:59,079 --> 00:06:01,399 didn't think that they would be relied upon or that they would be you know, 90 00:06:01,680 --> 00:06:05,519 X factors. I'm sad to see them go, but I think it's 91 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:11,439 being a little bit overstated at this point. Is there a chance that there's 92 00:06:11,439 --> 00:06:15,519 any lingering awkwardness between the franchise and not just Tyler Hero but also Kyle Lowry 93 00:06:15,519 --> 00:06:20,120 because those those dudes spend a ton of time in hypothetical trades over the offseason. 94 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:27,279 You know, it's always interesting because players just they're such individuals that you 95 00:06:27,360 --> 00:06:30,680 never know how they're going to react. I think we saw what two three 96 00:06:30,720 --> 00:06:32,519 seasons ago. I'm losing track of time, But when Duncan was mentioned in 97 00:06:32,560 --> 00:06:38,839 a bunch of trade stories, you know, during free agency and even during 98 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:41,399 the trade deadline, I don't think he took it very well. I think 99 00:06:41,399 --> 00:06:45,959 it affected his play. I obviously don't know the guy personally, but Tyler 100 00:06:46,079 --> 00:06:48,079 does not seem like he's really been shaken. I think, if anything, 101 00:06:48,120 --> 00:06:53,800 it kind of motivated him to work harder this summer. You know. I 102 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:59,319 know certain things have been coming out, you know, from conversations with Tyler 103 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:02,120 and certain people on Twitter and in the media, that he wanted to stay. 104 00:07:02,120 --> 00:07:08,759 And I do believe that Kyle's a different story. I love Kyle still. 105 00:07:08,839 --> 00:07:12,199 I know a lot of heat fans have kind of turned on him. 106 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:16,879 I think that I don't know how much I believe that he really thought he 107 00:07:16,959 --> 00:07:20,519 was going to go. I'm not trying to put too much emphasis on the 108 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:23,720 fact that you know, him and Jimmy are friends, but at the end 109 00:07:23,720 --> 00:07:26,240 of the day, it is kind of Jimmy's team, and I think if 110 00:07:26,319 --> 00:07:30,240 Jimmy wanted him to stay he was going to stick around. I don't really 111 00:07:30,759 --> 00:07:32,959 read into him saying he thinks he's going to be the starting point guard he 112 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:36,720 expects to What do you want a player of his caliber to say. I 113 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:40,600 don't know where that narrative came from. I think it would have been crazy 114 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:42,959 for him to say, you know, I'm happy coming off the bench, 115 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:46,959 or we'll see what happens. So I hope it didn't affect either of them. 116 00:07:46,160 --> 00:07:49,480 So far, it doesn't look like it has affected Tyler. I think 117 00:07:49,519 --> 00:07:53,480 that his confidence is up. I think he's really stepping into the role, 118 00:07:54,120 --> 00:07:56,360 but you know, in his preseason, so it's a little bit too early 119 00:07:56,439 --> 00:07:59,720 to tell. The Tyler hero stuff is fascinating when you look at what he 120 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:01,720 means to this team, because I do think I did not side with the 121 00:08:01,759 --> 00:08:05,800 Miami media or the Miami side of things on a lot of this. I 122 00:08:05,839 --> 00:08:11,160 do believe that the Tyler hero discourse just veered so far away from reality at 123 00:08:11,160 --> 00:08:13,040 certain points a lot of the times. And we've seen it with other players 124 00:08:13,279 --> 00:08:18,480 when they sign that second contract before it even kicks in, their values just 125 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:20,360 inherently diminished. And I think that's kind of happened with him, and it 126 00:08:20,399 --> 00:08:24,279 definitely did not help that they made a finals run without him basically like that 127 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:28,319 certainly didn't help his case. And yes there's stuff to get into. Well, 128 00:08:28,439 --> 00:08:33,399 if the Blazers couldn't find enough value with Tyler Hero, like secondary value 129 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:35,080 to make that trade with the Heat, they got Drew Holliday, who is 130 00:08:35,080 --> 00:08:39,200 just an objectively better player because he's a two way player than Tyler Hero right 131 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:41,960 now, and so he's going to mean more probably do a team's championship hopes. 132 00:08:43,039 --> 00:08:43,919 But the Blazers didn't need him. They had a ton of guards, 133 00:08:43,919 --> 00:08:48,960 and I actually think Tyler Hero came made strides last season. When you look 134 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:52,879 at him specifically as a passer. What are you watching most closely though about 135 00:08:52,919 --> 00:08:56,600 his like an area of his development or just how he plays this season? 136 00:08:56,840 --> 00:08:58,759 What do you think is most important? Is it? I think a lot 137 00:08:58,759 --> 00:09:01,879 of people will focus on maybe some of the off ball stuff offensively, but 138 00:09:01,919 --> 00:09:05,399 you look at this roster and my other question you was you expect us to 139 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:09,080 see like more units where he is effectively kind of a league guard when Jimmy 140 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:13,759 Butler's off the court. Yeah, I think for me it's twofold. The 141 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:18,159 first is just his basketball IQ. I think that Jimmy has a way of 142 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:22,720 rubbing off on players, especially players who he kind of takes under his wing. 143 00:09:22,759 --> 00:09:24,080 And it's not to say, you know, that he's ignoring other guys, 144 00:09:24,519 --> 00:09:28,519 but I think that it became clear kind of that Tyler and Jimmy were 145 00:09:28,559 --> 00:09:33,000 working, you know, towards having not only off the court, but on 146 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:35,879 court chemistry as well. And I think Tyler, and again at preseason is 147 00:09:35,879 --> 00:09:39,240 such a small sample size, but I already see growth in that way where 148 00:09:39,279 --> 00:09:43,679 you can tell he's thinking ahead and not just for himself, I think for 149 00:09:43,039 --> 00:09:46,879 the rest of the team while he's on the floor with them. I think 150 00:09:46,879 --> 00:09:50,399 the other thing is, you know, he has been injury prone, and 151 00:09:50,720 --> 00:09:52,480 some of that might just be the way he is, but some of it 152 00:09:52,519 --> 00:09:56,080 is his style of play. And I think that hopefully he's been working with 153 00:09:56,200 --> 00:10:01,399 you know, either his own trainers or kind of the heat training staff to 154 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:05,159 kind of figure out a way for him to stay healthier, because I think 155 00:10:05,879 --> 00:10:09,840 that if he starts protecting his body a little bit, you know, and 156 00:10:09,879 --> 00:10:13,200 not necessarily by resting, but just kind of playing differently, it'll go a 157 00:10:13,279 --> 00:10:16,320 long way. Not only you know, obviously, to keep him on the 158 00:10:16,320 --> 00:10:20,559 floor and keep him actually active, but also to make him a little bit 159 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:26,519 more well rounded. I also it does feel like his just ability to hit 160 00:10:26,799 --> 00:10:31,840 off the dribble threes or pull up threes is parenthally underrated. I was looking, 161 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:33,799 and here's every player who made as many pull up threes as him last 162 00:10:33,879 --> 00:10:37,120 year on the same or better efficiency, which was thirty six point nine percent 163 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:41,120 on off the dribble threes, which is a big deal. Steph, Tyr 164 00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:45,039 Salbert and James Harden, Kyrie Dame, Jamal Murray and Donovan Mitchell. That 165 00:10:45,120 --> 00:10:48,000 is it. And then there's Tyler Hero and so I don't think I don't 166 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:50,200 think he's any of those players, but that skill set matters. I think, 167 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:54,879 especially or particularly in a playoff setting. You can get into his defensive 168 00:10:54,879 --> 00:10:58,000 limitations, but to have someone who's able to do that in your offense, 169 00:10:58,759 --> 00:11:01,960 it's a pretty big deal, I would especially with the departure of Max Struce 170 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:05,120 now as well. Yeah, I think that. And I think the fact 171 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:07,919 that you know he is younger and he has fresh legs under him is really 172 00:11:07,919 --> 00:11:13,519 important, especially in a playoff situation, because you know, Jimmy Kyle even 173 00:11:13,639 --> 00:11:16,559 Bam, he's not old by any means. But he's not as kind of 174 00:11:16,639 --> 00:11:20,519 springy as Tyler is, and I think that is super important and it is 175 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:24,639 underrated. I don't know. It's so weird because I thought by now kind 176 00:11:24,639 --> 00:11:28,360 of the narrative on him would change. I think that in the beginning, 177 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:33,519 a lot of people judged him for kind of his flashiness and his confidence. 178 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:35,919 Then to your point, I think is his contract didn't help. But at 179 00:11:35,919 --> 00:11:39,159 this point, I'm not really sure what it is about him that's so polarizing. 180 00:11:41,960 --> 00:11:45,720 I honestly agree that maybe it's maybe it's his fashion sense and other people. 181 00:11:45,759 --> 00:11:46,799 Maybe people are just drawn to that. I have no idea what makes 182 00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:50,440 him so polarizing on the court? What did you make of what they did 183 00:11:50,720 --> 00:11:54,840 with their actual off season? The addition is you have Jay Rich coming back, 184 00:11:54,919 --> 00:11:56,919 you have Thomas Bryant, Kevin Love is back. Just sort of what 185 00:11:56,960 --> 00:12:00,480 did you make of those series of moves? And of those three I think 186 00:12:00,519 --> 00:12:03,200 there's a clear answer. But is there one that just intrigues you or will 187 00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:05,120 do the most for this team? I mean, anyone who knows we knows 188 00:12:05,159 --> 00:12:11,440 I love Joshy like I am a diehard j Rich fan. I literally I 189 00:12:11,559 --> 00:12:13,440 should not be admitting this, but I almost crashed my car on a highway 190 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:16,000 when I found out the news, just because I was like on Twitter and 191 00:12:16,039 --> 00:12:20,720 all of a sudden this came through and I'm like swerving into someone else's lane. 192 00:12:20,279 --> 00:12:24,759 I'm super excited. I think that he obviously gets the Heat culture, 193 00:12:24,799 --> 00:12:28,840 he gets the heat mentality. Both him and BAM being older and more mature 194 00:12:28,879 --> 00:12:33,159 in their games now is gonna be huge. I'm so excited to see him 195 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:37,120 with Tyler and Jimmy. Honestly, but I think that ka Love coming back 196 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:39,240 is underrated. I think I tweeted this the other night. He was just 197 00:12:39,240 --> 00:12:46,799 such an intelligent pickup to me, especially alongside ud now leaving. I think 198 00:12:46,799 --> 00:12:48,679 we needed someone and you know, Kyle is somewhat this too, but we 199 00:12:48,720 --> 00:12:52,320 needed someone of the veteran presidents who kind of can rally all the young guys 200 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:56,759 and then having an actual backup for BAM. And that's really no disrespect for 201 00:12:56,799 --> 00:13:01,080 the guys that came before. I had no act issue with any of the 202 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:05,639 other guys, you know, whether it was the Mechanic or Zeller, but 203 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:11,279 just that is huge, and I think that it may also mentally help BAM 204 00:13:11,320 --> 00:13:16,240 out, you know, Obviously, the physicality that it took to be kind 205 00:13:16,279 --> 00:13:20,600 of our one and only for a while is obviously now kind of lifted off 206 00:13:20,600 --> 00:13:24,000 his shoulders. But I think that bam knowing that there is someone there to 207 00:13:24,039 --> 00:13:26,799 back him up and even maybe play alongside him depending on the lineup. I 208 00:13:26,799 --> 00:13:31,360 think that's super exciting when you look at who they've brought in and now who 209 00:13:31,399 --> 00:13:35,960 they lost, Like, who are you more concerned about looking at the line 210 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:39,480 up the way they're gonna play leaving, is it gave Vincent or Max Stres 211 00:13:39,519 --> 00:13:43,080 Like who winds up being the bigger loss for them? Honestly, that's tough, 212 00:13:43,519 --> 00:13:46,120 and it kind of depends on what Duncan does, which I know is 213 00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:48,960 just kind of a very basic answer at this point, but I just don't 214 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:54,600 know what version of Duncan we're gonna get. I think that Gabe really backed 215 00:13:54,679 --> 00:13:56,759 Kyle up well. I think not only kind of the x's and o's, 216 00:13:56,799 --> 00:14:03,320 but just the basketball IQ and the ability to read the floor. But obviously, 217 00:14:03,360 --> 00:14:05,279 you know, when Duncan was struggling, and if he continues to struggle, 218 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:11,759 losing Max might hurt more. I really just think it depends on Duncan, 219 00:14:11,919 --> 00:14:15,200 and that is one that I'm very curious to see how that develops. 220 00:14:16,440 --> 00:14:20,320 What got into Duncan Robinson during the post, Like it wasn't just like he 221 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:22,600 hit, like he was dribbling more than we've ever seen him before. Was 222 00:14:22,639 --> 00:14:26,600 just like was this months in the making and I just missed it? But 223 00:14:26,679 --> 00:14:28,200 it was like it wasn't even a renaissance, it was like a rebirth. 224 00:14:30,120 --> 00:14:31,759 Yeah, I don't Again, I don't know if it's just this team is 225 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:35,360 like built for the playoffs and that's just such a cop out answer, and 226 00:14:35,399 --> 00:14:39,080 it's also not one that I love because I'm someone who I don't like the 227 00:14:39,080 --> 00:14:43,679 whole rhetoric of the regular season doesn't matter, But I do think that everyone 228 00:14:43,759 --> 00:14:46,720 just switches into another gear. And let's face it, he really was. 229 00:14:46,879 --> 00:14:48,960 I mean for a while, they're the weakest link, and I think that 230 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:52,000 he got sick of being that, and I don't think he wanted the responsibility 231 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:54,879 of this team maybe not going as far as they could. You know, 232 00:14:56,039 --> 00:14:58,039 not that it would be his fault solely, but if it was the majority 233 00:14:58,039 --> 00:15:03,240 of on him not pulling his weight, I think he just stepped up something 234 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:05,000 that felt like it's floor nder the radar a little bit and maybe it was 235 00:15:05,039 --> 00:15:09,200 because of how rickety their offense was at times, but Bam felt like he 236 00:15:09,279 --> 00:15:13,159 made real strides just as a scorer. What most impressed you or maybe even 237 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:18,000 took you aback about the way he was able to add to his offensive game 238 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:22,679 last year, I mean, I think his his midigame definitely improved, and 239 00:15:22,720 --> 00:15:26,039 it was not something that people necessarily expected. I know, going into the 240 00:15:26,120 --> 00:15:28,919 year, a lot of people wanted him to kind of start adding more threes 241 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:31,840 to his game. And it's not to say that I don't think he should 242 00:15:31,919 --> 00:15:37,240 pull up from there every once in a while, but I think making someone 243 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:39,679 do something just because you know, other big men in the league are are 244 00:15:39,759 --> 00:15:43,879 doing that. If he's not going to be the guy for that, it's 245 00:15:43,879 --> 00:15:48,440 better that he focused on something else. I think in general, he's just 246 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:52,480 more aggressive and more dominant on the floor, especially on the offensive end, 247 00:15:52,879 --> 00:15:56,039 and even so far this season, I've seen him look even more so so 248 00:15:56,080 --> 00:15:58,519 that if that continues, I think will be in a really good spot. 249 00:15:58,759 --> 00:16:03,279 Yeah, he's also just like to just go like kind of an iso not 250 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:06,679 a huge part of his game, but like his isolation possessions almost doubled per 251 00:16:06,720 --> 00:16:10,039 game from last year over the year before, and to have that type of 252 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:12,679 option, and if you can improve the spacing around him on any given night, 253 00:16:14,039 --> 00:16:17,279 there's like he might not be done hitting an ex front tier as a 254 00:16:17,279 --> 00:16:19,240 score. I don't, you know, the three stuff. It'd be nice, 255 00:16:19,679 --> 00:16:22,000 but I think at some point, when someone's this deep into his career, 256 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:26,039 you have kind of accept that this probably won't be a huge part of 257 00:16:26,039 --> 00:16:27,120 his game. Ever, I think we're kind of at the point where it 258 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:32,240 doesn't necessarily need to be for him to be a top tier offensive player based 259 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:34,559 and he was already a really good offensive player when you just look at the 260 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:37,879 play making, the IQ, the ability to lead stuff from the full floor 261 00:16:37,799 --> 00:16:41,360 to the top of the floor. Yeah, and I think that having an 262 00:16:41,440 --> 00:16:45,399 actual backup now will help with that too, in terms of just getting him 263 00:16:45,440 --> 00:16:47,799 the rest that he needs and not feeling like, you know, if he 264 00:16:47,879 --> 00:16:51,559 comes out for an extra minute or two then he used to that the entire 265 00:16:51,679 --> 00:16:55,720 offense will collapse. I think that his training and I said this on Twitter 266 00:16:55,840 --> 00:16:59,799 yesterday, it really does look like every single person on this roster put in 267 00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:03,679 work this offseason, And yeah, I mean it should be a no brainer, 268 00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:07,319 but the level kind of of energy that they came out with. I 269 00:17:07,319 --> 00:17:10,920 think they're hungry. I don't think they're necessarily disappointed per se. Obviously it 270 00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:14,440 would have been great to get that title, but I think that they're they're 271 00:17:14,519 --> 00:17:18,279 taking it as a proud moment and knowing that if they got that far with 272 00:17:18,319 --> 00:17:22,319 what they have and improving now this year already, I think with some pieces 273 00:17:22,319 --> 00:17:23,640 that they know that they can get as far, if not further. Again, 274 00:17:25,799 --> 00:17:27,319 you'll have to forgive the long pre album on this, but they are 275 00:17:27,359 --> 00:17:32,839 so confusing to me in the sense that I don't know if they're built as 276 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:36,400 constructed to meaningfully improve upon how do you want to say, just the offense, 277 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:38,039 But they're two way play because you could say, all right, maybe 278 00:17:38,119 --> 00:17:41,400 Kyle Lowry, maybe Caleb Martin, maybe some of these guys have better shooting 279 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:45,720 seasons, and they missed last year that he had like one of the worst 280 00:17:45,720 --> 00:17:48,119 catch and shoot percentages in the league. It's like, those are shots you 281 00:17:48,119 --> 00:17:51,559 could envision going down. But we also what I thought was underplayed to their 282 00:17:51,559 --> 00:17:53,839 credit league into the postseason, we saw kind of an uptick in how they 283 00:17:53,839 --> 00:17:57,000 were shooting. They were still relying a lot on just Tyler. Heroes three 284 00:17:57,039 --> 00:18:00,799 point volume in making, but the offense fair better and yet then the defense 285 00:18:02,119 --> 00:18:03,759 sort of fell apart. And so I'm just looking at this roster, is 286 00:18:03,759 --> 00:18:07,799 they are path to where they are a two two way team, not just 287 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:11,799 in the regular season but when it matters most or is this still you know, 288 00:18:11,839 --> 00:18:12,960 they don't have to go out and do something right now, and they're 289 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:17,079 they're probably not going to, but it's still just based off their link to 290 00:18:17,119 --> 00:18:18,880 Damian Lillard, based off the type of player we know they've been after over 291 00:18:18,880 --> 00:18:22,200 the past couple of years, do they still sort of need a trade to 292 00:18:22,319 --> 00:18:26,599 optimize or let's say, reach the typical upper tier of contendership where it's not, 293 00:18:26,680 --> 00:18:30,160 oh shit, the Heat somehow made a Finals run and no one was 294 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:33,880 expecting them to. Honestly, I feel like, what's bigger than all of 295 00:18:33,920 --> 00:18:40,279 that is maybe I hate this term, but kind of rebranding themselves a little. 296 00:18:40,359 --> 00:18:42,240 I think that for a long time, the Heat kind of had these 297 00:18:42,319 --> 00:18:47,440 cornerstone themes to the types of guys that they were getting and the types of 298 00:18:47,480 --> 00:18:49,720 rosters that they were constructing. A lot of it was, you know, 299 00:18:51,920 --> 00:18:55,640 very good offense and very reliant on the three ball, and it's not to 300 00:18:55,759 --> 00:19:00,680 say that some guys on the roster right now don't fit into that mold. 301 00:19:00,720 --> 00:19:03,079 But I just think that they need to kind of rethink what it is that 302 00:19:03,160 --> 00:19:07,920 they want their team identity to be and try to first and foremost fit the 303 00:19:07,920 --> 00:19:12,119 players they already have right now into whatever that is. But then yeah, 304 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:17,559 maybe looking at the trade deadline and thinking about, Okay, we have this 305 00:19:17,720 --> 00:19:22,119 kind of rebrand or new identity, where what gaps do we need to fill 306 00:19:22,119 --> 00:19:26,720 and where can we fill the void. It's hard because the front office has 307 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:30,359 been so stable with the same personnel, and I get that, and you 308 00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:33,359 have some guys who have been here for quite some time, like Bam for 309 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:37,279 example, and even j Rich coming back. But I think at this point 310 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:40,799 it's more so looking at what we have now rather than to try and fit 311 00:19:40,839 --> 00:19:44,240 into this mold that we keep trying to come back to year after year, 312 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:48,079 especially because honestly, we haven't gotten a lot of the bigger names that have 313 00:19:48,119 --> 00:19:52,400 been connected to us, and it is hard to know because the heat is 314 00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:55,680 so tight lipped, how how realistic that even was in the first place. 315 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:59,759 But I think trying to focus more on where we are now as opposed to 316 00:19:59,799 --> 00:20:03,240 like what we could be is, in my opinion, the way to go. 317 00:20:03,400 --> 00:20:07,480 Do you have any early impressions of Haimai Hawka's junior and do you expect 318 00:20:07,519 --> 00:20:11,519 to see him get a chance on this team that you know they have Jimmy 319 00:20:11,519 --> 00:20:15,359 Butler, they have Caleb Martin, but they do they need wings. Yeah, 320 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:18,759 I know that he I think he well, I've only seen two preseason 321 00:20:18,799 --> 00:20:19,759 games. I don't know if he played two or three. I know he 322 00:20:19,799 --> 00:20:26,119 got injured a little bit, but he he looked incredible and I could already 323 00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:29,519 tell that he's learning from Jimmy, which I think is so important because beyond 324 00:20:29,599 --> 00:20:33,960 what you're actually capable of in you know, terms of raw skill and talent, 325 00:20:33,079 --> 00:20:37,160 I think soaking up what's around you, especially from a player like Jimmy 326 00:20:37,200 --> 00:20:40,680 Butler, is super super important. So yeah, I'd be shocked if, 327 00:20:40,759 --> 00:20:42,640 you know, he didn't make the cut in quite a large way. If 328 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:47,880 he's obviously able to stay healthy. Like anything else, some of it will 329 00:20:47,880 --> 00:20:49,599 be, like you know, depending on who they're playing and kind of the 330 00:20:49,640 --> 00:20:52,200 rest of the guys around him, But I expect him to be a major, 331 00:20:52,319 --> 00:20:56,839 major part of this roster. I think if he can keep the ball 332 00:20:56,880 --> 00:21:00,400 moving and hit just set threes right now. That might be a enough to 333 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:02,519 just throw him on the floor and say, you know you're not going to 334 00:21:02,599 --> 00:21:04,519 hurt us more defensively, then you might even help you defense, so you're 335 00:21:04,519 --> 00:21:07,960 not going to hurt usre defensive than a Duncan Robinson, or if we decide 336 00:21:07,960 --> 00:21:11,839 to play k Love next to bam Adebayo. But it's always I try to 337 00:21:11,839 --> 00:21:15,720 take a step back whenever I like youngsters on teams that have immediate expectations, 338 00:21:15,720 --> 00:21:18,559 because it's, well, how much runway is Eric Bolstra actually going to give 339 00:21:18,640 --> 00:21:22,680 him? Because the Heat might not care as much about the regular season as 340 00:21:22,759 --> 00:21:26,279 the average team, but like it still matters in terms of seating and you're 341 00:21:26,319 --> 00:21:27,759 trying to win games. It's so I'm very curious to see if he gets 342 00:21:27,799 --> 00:21:32,119 like a legitimate shot or if this is just sort of even the buzz coming 343 00:21:32,119 --> 00:21:33,880 out of the draft was they view him his NBA ready he's perfect for the 344 00:21:33,920 --> 00:21:37,440 Heat, like this is someone who can help right away. You just have 345 00:21:37,480 --> 00:21:40,240 to take that with a grain AsSalt. And so I'm fascinated to see whether 346 00:21:40,279 --> 00:21:42,759 he gets plugged into their rotation in a meaningful way at all. Yeah, 347 00:21:42,799 --> 00:21:45,640 it's interesting too, to me because obviously I don't really know what's going on 348 00:21:45,720 --> 00:21:51,279 behind the scenes, but Spoe does seem to kind of once he has his 349 00:21:51,319 --> 00:21:53,359 favorites, he will kind of take more chances on them, I think than 350 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:56,680 other players, for better or worse. And I'm sure that all coaches in 351 00:21:56,720 --> 00:22:02,279 some way do this. But I also have a feeling that if Jimmy is 352 00:22:02,319 --> 00:22:04,599 pushing for it, and he's kind of taking him under his wing, it 353 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:08,440 will probably be harder to have Spoe not at least give him a chance. 354 00:22:08,480 --> 00:22:11,279 And to be honest, why not in the beginning of the season. I 355 00:22:11,319 --> 00:22:15,480 obviously don't know how like long he's going to be out with this injury, 356 00:22:15,119 --> 00:22:18,799 but now it is kind of the time to try that out because to your 357 00:22:18,799 --> 00:22:22,880 point, seeding will matter. But we're so early on even you know in 358 00:22:22,920 --> 00:22:25,400 the beginning of the season that I think we should just let him kind of 359 00:22:25,400 --> 00:22:29,319 play and see how that shakes out. Uh. I was not privy to 360 00:22:29,359 --> 00:22:32,039 a lot of it, but it seemed like he Twitter was very high on 361 00:22:32,079 --> 00:22:36,559 Nicola Yovic over the offseason. Do you have any role expectations for him or 362 00:22:36,640 --> 00:22:41,759 is he someone that probably won't factor too heavily into their rotation. I mean, 363 00:22:41,880 --> 00:22:44,200 I think it's kind of the same thing. Why not just give him 364 00:22:44,240 --> 00:22:47,720 a shot right now? I think he had a great run this summer. 365 00:22:47,920 --> 00:22:51,599 Obviously, you know, you have to factor in that that style of play 366 00:22:51,720 --> 00:22:56,440 is different and it lends itself more to a certain type of player. But 367 00:22:56,759 --> 00:23:00,119 I think that you know, if he's coming out with that momentum, if 368 00:23:00,119 --> 00:23:06,000 he's coming out with the support you know of not only the fans but also 369 00:23:06,039 --> 00:23:08,240 the organization, I say, just try everything right now and kind of re 370 00:23:08,319 --> 00:23:12,160 evaluate as the season goes. We kind of touched upon this a little bit 371 00:23:12,160 --> 00:23:17,119 already, but looking at how the defense did suffer a little bit or a 372 00:23:17,119 --> 00:23:19,680 lot of it after we saw the offensive shift, do you have any lingering 373 00:23:19,720 --> 00:23:22,960 concerns about sort of that late season declined or do you chalk a lot of 374 00:23:22,960 --> 00:23:27,400 it up to just injuries, availability, or just the time of the season 375 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:30,599 even or maybe they're their emphasis. I'm really trying to juice the offense up 376 00:23:30,640 --> 00:23:37,359 so much. I think it's a combination of everything. I honestly can't even 377 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:40,599 keep straight what injuries we had when, just because it seemed like it was 378 00:23:40,680 --> 00:23:44,160 just on loop. But I do think that played into it and I also 379 00:23:44,319 --> 00:23:48,400 just think that it there was kind of a turning point in the season where 380 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:52,640 it almost was like, Okay, we're out of options and it's now or 381 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:56,079 never. And I think that Spoe in a way finally got out And this 382 00:23:56,160 --> 00:23:59,400 is something I've criticized him for as much as I love him, but it 383 00:23:59,440 --> 00:24:00,960 kind of got out of tunnel vision he had and was like, we're just 384 00:24:00,960 --> 00:24:04,119 gonna try to revamp the offense instead of kind of relying so hard on what 385 00:24:04,160 --> 00:24:07,079 we know. But I definitely do think it was the time of year, 386 00:24:07,880 --> 00:24:11,200 it was a lot of games, it was a lot of injuries. So 387 00:24:11,960 --> 00:24:17,880 I'm not I'm not any more or less I guess concerned than I was last 388 00:24:17,880 --> 00:24:19,839 season. It's just kind of a matter of who steps up when. And 389 00:24:19,880 --> 00:24:23,440 again, you know, as frustrating as it can be, it is kind 390 00:24:23,480 --> 00:24:26,920 of fun to never know what the team is gonna do. I tend to 391 00:24:26,920 --> 00:24:30,359 be a little bit higher on their defense, I think because I tend to 392 00:24:30,359 --> 00:24:33,599 be higher on Kayleb Martin's defense than the consensus where a lot of people look 393 00:24:33,599 --> 00:24:36,920 at him as a gap filler and what she does. But like when you 394 00:24:36,920 --> 00:24:40,039 look at some of the one on one or general assignments he had to cover 395 00:24:40,119 --> 00:24:44,319 last year. Those are caps locked defensive assignments and he fared quite well for 396 00:24:44,359 --> 00:24:47,680 a lot of it. And so between having the option of him Jimmy Bam, 397 00:24:47,720 --> 00:24:49,839 you're gonna get knights from Kyle Lowry where he looks good defensively, I 398 00:24:49,839 --> 00:24:53,160 guess when you get into okay, like five and Josh Richardson just being there 399 00:24:53,200 --> 00:24:56,559 just positionally stop solid, still still going to defend. Now when you get 400 00:24:56,559 --> 00:25:00,519 out of those five, maybe there are some question marks, but I'll believe 401 00:25:00,599 --> 00:25:03,279 that to me anyway, maybe you feel differently. It still feels like the 402 00:25:03,319 --> 00:25:07,000 ceiling for them on defense is probably a lot, maybe not a lot, 403 00:25:07,039 --> 00:25:10,680 but measurably higher than it would be for them on offense as currently constructed. 404 00:25:11,559 --> 00:25:15,559 Yeah, it just to me kind of depends which way they're going to try 405 00:25:15,599 --> 00:25:19,200 and lean and what kind of guys are zeroing in on for themselves this season. 406 00:25:19,680 --> 00:25:26,160 I think that sometimes players tend to once they see somethings really working for 407 00:25:26,200 --> 00:25:30,359 them in terms of improving, they almost not forget about the rest, but 408 00:25:30,359 --> 00:25:33,559 they don't really try to like own in their craft that much. So I 409 00:25:33,920 --> 00:25:38,160 am curious to see and again I think it's just to me, it's so 410 00:25:38,319 --> 00:25:41,720 dependent on who we're playing night in and night out. We kind of turn 411 00:25:41,880 --> 00:25:45,920 this gear of whether we're going to, you know, try to outscore the 412 00:25:45,920 --> 00:25:49,359 other team on three or whether we're just going to try and clamp them down. 413 00:25:51,200 --> 00:25:53,200 I'm mostly curious, to be honest, to see kind of what Bam 414 00:25:53,319 --> 00:25:57,000 is going to do on the defensive end, because I do think against certain 415 00:25:57,680 --> 00:26:03,119 other big men he tends to struggle. And I've always been of the mindset 416 00:26:03,160 --> 00:26:06,200 that it's all kind of mental for him, and as soon as he gets 417 00:26:06,279 --> 00:26:10,680 that confidence and gets that kind of stability within himself to know that he can 418 00:26:10,720 --> 00:26:12,599 do what he needs to do, that it'll come. But I just I 419 00:26:12,640 --> 00:26:18,039 don't know if if we're gonna get there, can we run back the how 420 00:26:18,079 --> 00:26:22,279 many threes will Jimmy Butler hit this season segment from last year? Sure? 421 00:26:22,480 --> 00:26:26,839 Will you remind me of where we're at? We had we said it at 422 00:26:26,839 --> 00:26:29,440 thirty I said it at thirty six, and or no, I said at 423 00:26:29,480 --> 00:26:33,079 forty four. We both went over. He hit thirty. Miss We're missing 424 00:26:33,079 --> 00:26:37,000 some time this year. I'm gonna keep it around the same, but let's 425 00:26:37,039 --> 00:26:40,759 go with a more decisive win or loss. Forty four and a half, 426 00:26:40,839 --> 00:26:42,200 so there can be no push or you're taking the over or the under. 427 00:26:44,200 --> 00:26:45,640 I was gonna say he's gonna hit four, he's gonna go with forty, 428 00:26:45,720 --> 00:26:51,000 so I'll go the under. I'm just gonna say the over to differentiate. 429 00:26:51,079 --> 00:26:53,200 I just the amount of times he goes into the paint, and maybe it'll 430 00:26:53,200 --> 00:26:56,240 be different this season. There's just like four bodies below the free throw line. 431 00:26:56,279 --> 00:27:00,440 I'm like, you gotta want to take threes at some point, right, 432 00:27:00,920 --> 00:27:03,039 and so he probably won't. I'm just gonna hit the over. So 433 00:27:03,039 --> 00:27:07,160 I'm going to be an optimistic in this department. I mean, we're only 434 00:27:07,160 --> 00:27:10,359 really four apart anyway, So either way, it would be a win if 435 00:27:10,440 --> 00:27:14,279 Jimmy took either of the I mean, as long as they're obviously going in. 436 00:27:14,680 --> 00:27:18,039 I do think too that Jimmy's really good about trying to kind of pick 437 00:27:18,119 --> 00:27:22,279 up the slack of what's going on. So I do think it'll obviously depend 438 00:27:22,319 --> 00:27:26,880 on what's what's happening with with guys like Duncan, and if you know, 439 00:27:26,960 --> 00:27:30,599 maybe Tyler can shoot it at a higher volume. Two the other thing, 440 00:27:30,599 --> 00:27:33,480 and that's like a cliche question, but it's just funny because it's so he 441 00:27:33,519 --> 00:27:37,319 plays so dramatically different sometimes in the playoffs versus the regular season. And also 442 00:27:37,359 --> 00:27:41,039 if there's a player that if you just said, was the most likely to 443 00:27:41,079 --> 00:27:44,039 be like he's kind of not taking a lot of threes the past few seasons, 444 00:27:44,079 --> 00:27:45,759 but he's decided I'm going to take a shit ton this year, it 445 00:27:45,759 --> 00:27:49,000 would just be him because he has the type of personality. But do you 446 00:27:49,039 --> 00:27:53,279 worry about like the aging curves all with him as he's getting into his mid 447 00:27:53,279 --> 00:27:56,400 thirties and the load that he has had to carry now for a few years. 448 00:27:56,799 --> 00:28:00,880 Not really, And if it were a lot of other players, my 449 00:28:00,920 --> 00:28:04,400 answer would be different. I just to me, he's only gotten better and 450 00:28:04,519 --> 00:28:11,759 kind of more athletic and more durable and just gun harder in these last few 451 00:28:11,839 --> 00:28:15,640 years. So I'm not really worried about it, And honestly, for him, 452 00:28:15,880 --> 00:28:18,319 just because of the type of guy he is, it's so much more 453 00:28:18,400 --> 00:28:22,720 like mind over matter to the point where not that I necessarily support this, 454 00:28:22,759 --> 00:28:26,599 but I feel like this man would run himself into the ground before he admitted 455 00:28:26,640 --> 00:28:29,119 that, you know, maybe he's slipping or needs to take a step back. 456 00:28:29,960 --> 00:28:32,519 My counterpoint would be, is he wouldn't give up coffee for a year 457 00:28:32,519 --> 00:28:34,640 I for men winning an NBA championship. So would he really right? I 458 00:28:34,680 --> 00:28:37,359 don't know if I would either. I read that and I was like, 459 00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:44,279 I wouldn't. I probably wouldn't, Nor would I give up wine. I 460 00:28:44,319 --> 00:28:45,799 think I guess he's at the point where it doesn't matter because he's made so 461 00:28:45,839 --> 00:28:48,920 much money. I would absolutely get well, if you asked me, I've 462 00:28:48,960 --> 00:28:51,160 had to give up caffeine because I'm not a coffee drinker. Yeah, that 463 00:28:51,200 --> 00:28:55,200 probably a bit more of a thinker this is. I know it's an impossible 464 00:28:55,279 --> 00:28:56,759 question to ask because we need to see them play the games this year, 465 00:28:57,000 --> 00:29:02,279 but everything when it comes, like on the major moves that they've missed or 466 00:29:02,279 --> 00:29:04,160 even some of the bigger ones that they've made, it has always happened. 467 00:29:04,640 --> 00:29:07,599 It has generally happened over the off season. Do you think this team is 468 00:29:07,640 --> 00:29:11,200 prepared though, given kind of the timeline they're on with Jimmy Butler specifically, 469 00:29:11,519 --> 00:29:15,440 that if something comes along, or if an opportunity in the sense of a 470 00:29:15,480 --> 00:29:18,240 player becomes available that fits during the regular season, that they would be prepared 471 00:29:18,279 --> 00:29:22,079 to make that consolidation or bigger swing that a lot of people have kind of 472 00:29:22,119 --> 00:29:25,400 been waiting on for a couple of years now, or is that there's very 473 00:29:25,440 --> 00:29:30,160 much a team that is probably gonna wait generally to recalibrate over the off season. 474 00:29:32,480 --> 00:29:36,920 It's hard because every time I think that we're at the point where, 475 00:29:37,000 --> 00:29:38,640 okay, we just kind of need to gut it out and go for it, 476 00:29:38,839 --> 00:29:42,319 they then turn a corner. And I'm almost wondering, if you know, 477 00:29:42,440 --> 00:29:45,359 that's kind of what happens with the front office of they have this plan 478 00:29:45,440 --> 00:29:49,279 of you know, we're willing to give up half the team to get one 479 00:29:49,359 --> 00:29:55,559 guy, and then all of a sudden they look like a completely different team. 480 00:29:56,400 --> 00:29:59,880 It also, to me, really matters on who it is. And 481 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:04,200 I say that only because this is Jimmy's team, and if the fit with 482 00:30:04,319 --> 00:30:11,599 Jimmy in particular, whether that be mentally off the court obviously on the court 483 00:30:11,640 --> 00:30:15,559 as well, is just not perfect. I don't think the front office is 484 00:30:15,599 --> 00:30:19,920 going to do it. I think what also makes it difficult to make that 485 00:30:21,039 --> 00:30:23,839 call is how much we've actually seen them flip a switch when it comes to 486 00:30:23,880 --> 00:30:27,640 the postseason, and so what is the line for concern in the regular season 487 00:30:27,640 --> 00:30:30,640 where it's okay, if they're on pace for forty two forty three victories. 488 00:30:30,680 --> 00:30:33,400 That's not really out of the ordinary, and so do you just trust them 489 00:30:33,440 --> 00:30:37,640 to and look, it's a cliche, it's not scientific to say if they 490 00:30:37,680 --> 00:30:41,160 just slip the switch. We have years of evidence that it just happens. 491 00:30:41,160 --> 00:30:44,319 When you look at they've been a three conference finals in the past four years. 492 00:30:44,480 --> 00:30:48,319 That doesn't happen on accident. And so I think it makes it tougher 493 00:30:48,359 --> 00:30:52,160 to make that call. But I also think it makes it easier to look 494 00:30:52,160 --> 00:30:55,319 at the trade market as a real means of improvement because I don't think even 495 00:30:55,359 --> 00:30:57,519 though maybe we might diverge on how high we are in this team ceiling as 496 00:30:57,519 --> 00:31:02,640 presently constituted, I don't it takes a capslock megastar. It's like it didn't 497 00:31:02,680 --> 00:31:03,640 need to be a Dame, it didn't need to be a Bradley be able 498 00:31:03,640 --> 00:31:08,039 to be like, oh the heat look more like they fortified their contender stock. 499 00:31:08,119 --> 00:31:11,680 And so in a way, it's I don't know what the answer is, 500 00:31:11,680 --> 00:31:14,039 but I do think that they should be more open to it, because 501 00:31:14,079 --> 00:31:18,440 I don't think they need that top fifteen, top even twenty five guy to 502 00:31:18,519 --> 00:31:21,640 solidify themselves as a real threat to come out of the East. No, 503 00:31:21,839 --> 00:31:26,200 and honestly, I think that not looking at a so called whale actually might 504 00:31:26,279 --> 00:31:30,720 be the way to go to my earlier point of it needing to be a 505 00:31:30,759 --> 00:31:33,000 perfect fit with Jimmy, because if it's not a guy who's coming in and 506 00:31:33,039 --> 00:31:37,960 it's not a superstar, that is easier to work around. I also think 507 00:31:38,000 --> 00:31:42,079 that, and you know, to your point, there's not science behind it, 508 00:31:42,160 --> 00:31:45,680 but it is a thing that they turn it on. And I think 509 00:31:45,680 --> 00:31:49,839 that finding a guy who's hungry enough to do that with them at that time, 510 00:31:51,200 --> 00:31:56,000 regardless of you know, how impossible it might seem, I actually think 511 00:31:56,039 --> 00:32:01,200 that's more important than going after some big whale who you know might be chasing 512 00:32:01,400 --> 00:32:07,119 another ring or might just want to be change of scenery. I to me, 513 00:32:07,599 --> 00:32:12,559 finding guys, even if they're not as good on paper that our hungrier 514 00:32:12,720 --> 00:32:15,440 is going to be more of a difference maker. I think, in so 515 00:32:15,559 --> 00:32:21,480 far as you care, two of the most heat players possible that could theoretically 516 00:32:21,480 --> 00:32:24,039 come in the market that are not like capslock superstars would be o Jannobi is 517 00:32:24,039 --> 00:32:28,400 one. I think they probably need more dribbling than someone like him, but 518 00:32:28,839 --> 00:32:32,000 ojanovery want and then I'm less confident in him becoming available. But Michal Bridges 519 00:32:32,079 --> 00:32:36,480 might be one of the most Miami Heat players, Like he played eighty three 520 00:32:36,480 --> 00:32:38,279 of eighty two regular season games last year. Like that is that that's like 521 00:32:38,279 --> 00:32:42,599 a kind of a Miami Heat culture stat, even though they don't care about 522 00:32:42,599 --> 00:32:45,119 that. I would. I would love him on this team. I think 523 00:32:45,160 --> 00:32:47,480 the fit would be great. I think he has already proven himself to be 524 00:32:47,559 --> 00:32:52,039 someone who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. So yeah, 525 00:32:52,079 --> 00:32:53,880 I would love that. I just it'd be curious. It'd be curious 526 00:32:53,880 --> 00:32:57,240 to see a if he becomes available, but be what it would take to 527 00:32:57,279 --> 00:33:00,640 get him. Uh, we're at a banner page for this podcast because Hardwoo 528 00:33:00,680 --> 00:33:05,119 Knox is perpetually slow. Are you ready to enter the cookie cutter portion of 529 00:33:05,160 --> 00:33:08,480 the look Ahead? Sure? Why not? Are there any other strengths or 530 00:33:08,480 --> 00:33:13,559 weaknesses about this team they're flying under the radar that we haven't talked about yet. 531 00:33:16,200 --> 00:33:19,759 I mean, again, it's just personal bias, but I really don't 532 00:33:19,799 --> 00:33:22,480 think that people are excited enough about Josh Richardson coming back. And I say 533 00:33:22,519 --> 00:33:28,359 that mostly for the energy that he brings, for the chemistry that he brings. 534 00:33:28,839 --> 00:33:32,319 I think there's something to be said for the familiarity, and you know, 535 00:33:32,480 --> 00:33:36,559 I know there were some people who got kind of excited, but overall, 536 00:33:36,599 --> 00:33:38,519 I just don't think that that's being talked enough about. And I'm really 537 00:33:38,519 --> 00:33:42,880 excited for him to kind of go out there and prove that, you know, 538 00:33:42,960 --> 00:33:45,400 he was worth bringing back and that he was kind of that missing link. 539 00:33:46,799 --> 00:33:50,359 Yeah, to get him on the minimum was just still wild to me. 540 00:33:50,400 --> 00:33:52,160 I don't think. I don't think nearly enough was made of that. 541 00:33:52,799 --> 00:33:57,640 Looking to the top ten in the rotation, let's begin with, so what 542 00:33:57,680 --> 00:34:00,359 do you expect the most leaned upon starting to be for this team? To 543 00:34:00,359 --> 00:34:04,599 break it down from there, Honestly, I have to pull up your sheet 544 00:34:04,640 --> 00:34:09,960 here because I mean, I think what you have so what Kyler, Kykler, 545 00:34:10,159 --> 00:34:19,119 Kyle Tyler, Josh, Jimmy Bam. Although I wonder if Caleb will 546 00:34:19,159 --> 00:34:22,880 get a start just because of what he did in the playoffs for them, 547 00:34:23,079 --> 00:34:30,119 and because of the fact that I think he's a little bit more solid in 548 00:34:30,159 --> 00:34:34,159 terms of like physically than Josh. So I am curious to see if maybe 549 00:34:34,199 --> 00:34:37,639 that will be a call, or if it'll be something that perhaps they just 550 00:34:37,679 --> 00:34:39,960 switch off, depending on you know, how many games have been played or 551 00:34:39,960 --> 00:34:44,639 who they're playing against. The thing would be my concern is that if you're 552 00:34:44,639 --> 00:34:46,199 gonna put him in the starting five, I would almost want to see Kyle 553 00:34:46,599 --> 00:34:49,519 come off the bench. I would say Tyler too, but I don't think 554 00:34:49,519 --> 00:34:51,760 they're paying him to come off the bench, just because I would like to 555 00:34:51,760 --> 00:34:54,719 have for them more playmaking coming off as And if you have Caleb, Kyle 556 00:34:54,800 --> 00:34:58,360 Tyler here on, Jimmy Butler and him at a Bayo, that's your four 557 00:34:58,400 --> 00:35:00,239 best playmakers on the team at this point, and so I wonder what that 558 00:35:00,280 --> 00:35:02,840 would do to you can stagger, but it just feels like I'd like to 559 00:35:02,840 --> 00:35:07,000 have one playmaker on the bench. Caleb Martin is a better player than Josh 560 00:35:07,079 --> 00:35:10,039 Richardson, and I mean at this point Kyle Lowry as well. So how 561 00:35:10,039 --> 00:35:14,199 would you so kleb will be like the sixth lock in the rotation, then 562 00:35:14,199 --> 00:35:16,320 how do we flesh it out after that? I feels like k Love would 563 00:35:16,320 --> 00:35:21,880 also be a lock, which would be seven. Duncan Robinson. I feel 564 00:35:21,880 --> 00:35:23,440 like it's a lock until that's eight, and then I kind of guessed at 565 00:35:23,480 --> 00:35:28,000 the final two. Would who would you put into those final two slots. 566 00:35:28,360 --> 00:35:30,920 Yeah, I mean I think Tom Brian for sure, and then Triple J. 567 00:35:31,119 --> 00:35:35,440 I would be shocked if not. But again, I think that with 568 00:35:35,559 --> 00:35:39,599 someone that fresh, Spoe might give him a little bit of a longer leash 569 00:35:39,599 --> 00:35:43,039 it first, But if it's not panning out, I do think that that's 570 00:35:43,039 --> 00:35:46,199 something to keep an eye on when we let's fasten over to the end of 571 00:35:46,239 --> 00:35:49,960 this season and we look back. I know that they're a team that might 572 00:35:50,000 --> 00:35:52,719 cater to matchups more than most, But what do you think will wind up 573 00:35:52,719 --> 00:36:00,000 being their most leaned upon closing five man unit. Well, definitely, Jimmy 574 00:36:00,119 --> 00:36:04,159 Bam would be out there. I think Kyle just for his the sake that 575 00:36:04,320 --> 00:36:07,880 of the fact that he's a Vet, and also just his basketball Q bar 576 00:36:07,039 --> 00:36:13,239 none. You have to have Tyler out there, right, I mean, 577 00:36:13,280 --> 00:36:16,199 would it It might be the same as the starting five. Honestly, Well, 578 00:36:16,239 --> 00:36:20,280 I mean that's not like that can totally happen. I would wonder. 579 00:36:21,159 --> 00:36:25,199 I think I probably have Caleb over Richardson or Kyle lower I hates. I 580 00:36:25,199 --> 00:36:30,440 mean, I love Kyle Lowry just for the offensive purposes. I think there's 581 00:36:30,440 --> 00:36:34,920 a chance that he gives you more optionality than definitely than Josh Richardson. I 582 00:36:34,920 --> 00:36:37,360 don't know about it depends on the night for Kyle Lowry, but I do 583 00:36:37,440 --> 00:36:40,039 think that if I were coaching the team, he'd probably be a closing time 584 00:36:40,119 --> 00:36:45,119 staple for me this year. Yeah, I think that what you said about, 585 00:36:45,199 --> 00:36:47,719 you know, kind of the opponent being a big thing for this team, 586 00:36:49,119 --> 00:36:52,920 And I've literally beaten this to the ground every year. I say the 587 00:36:52,920 --> 00:36:55,159 same thing. It really is. We're different depending on who we play. 588 00:36:55,599 --> 00:36:59,719 And that's not to say that we're the only team, but I feel like 589 00:36:59,800 --> 00:37:02,480 us more than anyone else, which, on the one hand, again can 590 00:37:02,480 --> 00:37:05,800 be frustrating because you don't know what you're gonna get. But on the other 591 00:37:05,840 --> 00:37:08,400 hand, it does kind of let you use more of your roster, and 592 00:37:08,480 --> 00:37:14,360 I think in doing that it makes guys stay ready and kind of be mentally 593 00:37:14,400 --> 00:37:17,320 prepared for anything and to jump in at any time. So I mean, 594 00:37:17,400 --> 00:37:21,719 again, I think that at this point I'm just leaning into the inconsistency because 595 00:37:21,760 --> 00:37:23,039 it is what it is, we might as well. We might as well 596 00:37:23,119 --> 00:37:28,639 enjoy it. At this point, Is there a weirdo quirky They probably won't 597 00:37:28,719 --> 00:37:30,920 try it, but they should try it. Lineup, you would like to 598 00:37:30,960 --> 00:37:35,760 see the heat roll out. I don't know. I mean I was thinking 599 00:37:35,800 --> 00:37:38,639 of what happens if Bam and Brian are on the floor at the same time. 600 00:37:39,440 --> 00:37:45,119 I think that it would probably be very short lived within one game. 601 00:37:45,400 --> 00:37:51,000 But I don't see why we would not at least try that. It Definitely, 602 00:37:51,199 --> 00:37:54,280 in the past has not been supposed go too to have two big guys 603 00:37:54,280 --> 00:37:57,239 on the floor at the same time, and I know we've been calling for 604 00:37:57,239 --> 00:38:00,000 that for years, but just with the type of players they are and how 605 00:38:00,119 --> 00:38:02,400 young they are, I don't know. I think it might be fun to 606 00:38:02,440 --> 00:38:07,440 see mine would be and I might be overcompensating because of my lack of commitment 607 00:38:07,480 --> 00:38:10,960 to weirdo small ball lineups this year and other look aheads. But Jimmy Himy 608 00:38:12,000 --> 00:38:15,920 Hawkes, Jimmy, Josh Richardson, Kayla Martin, and then I don't really 609 00:38:15,960 --> 00:38:19,800 care who the fifth is. But it's between Kyle Lowry or Tyler Hero. 610 00:38:19,840 --> 00:38:22,639 If you're worried about the defensive end, Lowry, But if you want someone 611 00:38:22,679 --> 00:38:25,199 else who can pass, dribble and shoot at the same time a third player 612 00:38:25,199 --> 00:38:30,440 in there, I would go with Tyler Hero for sure. I don't know 613 00:38:30,480 --> 00:38:32,320 that you like Jimmy defends up sometimes. I think Kimai hawk has can do 614 00:38:32,320 --> 00:38:35,639 it. Josh Richardson we know can do it. Kayler Martin can do it. 615 00:38:35,639 --> 00:38:37,199 I don't know. I do you want any of those? I mean, 616 00:38:37,280 --> 00:38:39,880 you don't want any of those guys tussling with conventional bigs. But I'm 617 00:38:39,880 --> 00:38:44,079 a sucker for small ball lineups, and some of the league's teams have trended 618 00:38:44,119 --> 00:38:46,119 so big with size and skill. For sure. Size and skill are important 619 00:38:46,239 --> 00:38:52,159 that I felt obligated to roll out one of my trademark small ball lineups, 620 00:38:52,199 --> 00:38:53,360 and so I'd like to see that, even though I don't think we will. 621 00:38:53,760 --> 00:38:58,079 I really like that in a vacuum, but it's terrifying to think of 622 00:38:58,239 --> 00:39:02,480 it in actuality against basically any team right now in the league because of how 623 00:39:02,559 --> 00:39:07,960 big, to your point, everyone is going. Our collective schedule is yours 624 00:39:07,000 --> 00:39:10,079 of mine. This season had an off season this year much mirrored the Heats 625 00:39:10,119 --> 00:39:13,000 off season, and that it was all over the place, And so the 626 00:39:13,039 --> 00:39:15,400 over under has changed since I sent it to you. They have settled in 627 00:39:15,400 --> 00:39:20,440 out of October sixteenth. Since I don't know when I'm publishing this at forty 628 00:39:20,480 --> 00:39:23,800 four and a half, would you take the over the under on that, 629 00:39:25,800 --> 00:39:30,880 I'm just gonna go over just to be that girl because heat twitter hates when 630 00:39:30,880 --> 00:39:34,079 I do this, so just to piss everyone off when you want to go 631 00:39:34,199 --> 00:39:37,840 under, they want to be like a forty. Why would they be mad 632 00:39:37,840 --> 00:39:42,760 that you go over? Because I feel like the whole identity behind heat Twitter 633 00:39:42,760 --> 00:39:46,599 at this point is just being a bunch of like cranky old men who like 634 00:39:46,920 --> 00:39:52,760 don't believe in succeeding and we may as well. It's almost like they they 635 00:39:52,840 --> 00:39:54,679 want to fail so that they can be right that, like, this team 636 00:39:54,760 --> 00:39:59,639 can't do anything without a dame or without a beal, Whereas I'm just I'm 637 00:39:59,639 --> 00:40:02,320 all in on the team, regardless of who's on it. Honestly, I 638 00:40:02,320 --> 00:40:06,639 respect that, I guess So is that really you're more plugged into it than 639 00:40:06,639 --> 00:40:08,280 I am? I'm generally acting? Is that the actual sentiment? Because there 640 00:40:08,280 --> 00:40:12,000 looked like, and I'm hoping you agree, but there looked like there was 641 00:40:12,079 --> 00:40:15,320 way too much water carrying going on on behalf of the heat organization in the 642 00:40:15,360 --> 00:40:21,360 Lillard like to call it deplorable that they traded Damian Lillard somewhere else. So 643 00:40:21,400 --> 00:40:23,800 I'm just like, do those things people really want the Heat defense. Well, 644 00:40:23,840 --> 00:40:29,519 I think that that and see this is where I turned to the Dame 645 00:40:29,599 --> 00:40:34,039 situation. I think was the first time that everyone or that I've seen in 646 00:40:34,440 --> 00:40:37,119 quite some time that everyone kind of got on the same page and really thought 647 00:40:37,119 --> 00:40:38,760 it was going to happen, me included, and so I think that when 648 00:40:38,800 --> 00:40:44,760 it didn't, the consensus then was kind of to rally together. And I 649 00:40:44,800 --> 00:40:46,519 even I can't remember who tweeted it, but someone was like, it's so 650 00:40:46,679 --> 00:40:51,000 heat Twitter that like, losing Dame is the only time we've ever been on 651 00:40:51,039 --> 00:40:54,199 the same page in like the last decade, because otherwise everyone just at each 652 00:40:54,239 --> 00:41:00,119 other's throats. But I mean, I I don't think it was great the 653 00:41:00,159 --> 00:41:01,880 way that all that went down, And honestly, I would not be mad 654 00:41:01,920 --> 00:41:05,920 if, like the front office just never dealt with Portland again, just out 655 00:41:05,920 --> 00:41:10,599 of principle. Uh So, where do you think their their ceiling is? 656 00:41:10,880 --> 00:41:15,920 Regular season in the Eastern Conference. I guess the best way to answer that 657 00:41:15,000 --> 00:41:19,400 might be what would be the teams right now and of the regular season you're 658 00:41:19,400 --> 00:41:23,559 prepared to guarantee will have a better record than the Heat not necessarily championship chances. 659 00:41:23,559 --> 00:41:25,960 We've seen that story before where the Heat is just gonna come out of 660 00:41:25,960 --> 00:41:30,360 the plane and make the finals, apparently after almost losing in the play in 661 00:41:30,519 --> 00:41:32,760 mind you so, how many teams would you be prepared to guarantee will be 662 00:41:32,760 --> 00:41:37,320 better than the Heat in the East this season? I mean the Bucks will 663 00:41:37,360 --> 00:41:40,119 be. I think Boston's still there, even though I'm not too I just 664 00:41:40,199 --> 00:41:45,079 don't they make me nervous, Like for themselves. I don't love that team, 665 00:41:45,119 --> 00:41:46,400 but I think they're creating. That was the only other one that I 666 00:41:46,480 --> 00:41:50,000 was like, I think this would be a lock. But honestly, they 667 00:41:50,599 --> 00:41:52,840 don't. I don't know. They're kind of losing the grip on their their 668 00:41:52,880 --> 00:41:55,519 own identity, to be honest. But I'll put them up there. I'll 669 00:41:55,559 --> 00:42:00,400 put the Bucks and the Celtics, I think, and this is the it's 670 00:42:00,440 --> 00:42:02,320 not specific to the Heat. I just think that they're a clear top three 671 00:42:02,360 --> 00:42:07,920 in the East because of what is going hot in Philadelphia now. The Calves 672 00:42:07,920 --> 00:42:10,760 to me belong up there because they they care about the regular season and they 673 00:42:10,800 --> 00:42:15,559 slaughtered like bad opponents last year. They had the best record against teams under 674 00:42:15,559 --> 00:42:19,280 five hundred, and I think they'll They just added Max Struce and Mobile and 675 00:42:19,320 --> 00:42:22,440 Garland will get better. I think that they're a team. Regardless how you 676 00:42:22,440 --> 00:42:23,679 feel about them in the postseason, there might still be wholes. I think 677 00:42:23,679 --> 00:42:29,280 they're going to be an exceptional, too spectacular regular season team. I don't 678 00:42:29,280 --> 00:42:30,719 have I just don't have trust in them. I don't know what it is. 679 00:42:30,800 --> 00:42:34,559 It's maybe I'm just overlooking them and I don't watch them enough. It's 680 00:42:34,599 --> 00:42:37,119 just kind of like, yeah, there's glimpses, but it's kind of like 681 00:42:37,199 --> 00:42:40,159 longevity wise, I just don't I don't know. I just don't see it. 682 00:42:42,239 --> 00:42:45,119 Do you think that the Heat then are going to be back in playing 683 00:42:45,199 --> 00:42:47,519 territory or that this is a top six year for them. No, I 684 00:42:47,840 --> 00:42:52,079 would say it's a top six year. I think that they hopefully learned their 685 00:42:52,159 --> 00:42:55,119 lesson, and again I do think some of it was just injuries that were 686 00:42:55,159 --> 00:43:00,280 unavoidable. But I think hopefully they've learned their lesson that there is a middle 687 00:43:00,320 --> 00:43:07,000 ground between kind of not going to the next level of play into the playoffs 688 00:43:07,000 --> 00:43:09,320 and also almost not getting to the playoffs. I think that they kind of 689 00:43:09,400 --> 00:43:13,719 gambled with themselves a little bit there. So no, I don't see that 690 00:43:13,760 --> 00:43:16,159 happening again. Uh. I have a bonus question for you that wasn't in 691 00:43:16,159 --> 00:43:21,840 the outline. What's more likely pat Riley is going within the next two years. 692 00:43:21,880 --> 00:43:23,840 Pat Riley's gonna leave the front office, and we're talking about the Heat 693 00:43:23,840 --> 00:43:30,000 having a new head coach because Boulstra transition into the front office or Spoe gets 694 00:43:30,000 --> 00:43:35,079 the highest signs, the highest NBA coaching extension in big history. That one. 695 00:43:35,159 --> 00:43:39,320 Riley is not getting ready to retire. So I don't know. I 696 00:43:39,400 --> 00:43:42,840 might, I might take the first option. I might think that it feels 697 00:43:42,840 --> 00:43:45,840 more likely. Maybe the spo going into the front office might be too spicy. 698 00:43:45,880 --> 00:43:47,760 But part of me feels like I'd be a little surprised if pat Riley 699 00:43:47,840 --> 00:43:52,400 was still around over the next really, and maybe that's counterintuitive to Hey, 700 00:43:52,440 --> 00:43:57,599 he clearly him and Andy Elisberg didn't go and like make sure they got Dame 701 00:43:57,679 --> 00:44:00,000 or try to get involved in the bual sweepstake. So they're playing a longer 702 00:44:00,000 --> 00:44:02,760 game than we think. I just I'm looking at his age. I'm not 703 00:44:02,800 --> 00:44:06,239 trying to be in ages. Pat Rocky's done a great job in Miami for 704 00:44:06,239 --> 00:44:08,360 the most part. I'm just like that dude's got to be like a little 705 00:44:08,400 --> 00:44:14,239 tired, and I just I don't know. I think that Jimmy's kind of 706 00:44:14,280 --> 00:44:20,400 like just gotten him a new love for everything. Obviously he's been committed for 707 00:44:20,480 --> 00:44:23,039 however long, but I just think he's kind of like just shaken him up. 708 00:44:23,079 --> 00:44:27,000 And I think as long as Jimmy sticks around, which I do believe 709 00:44:27,519 --> 00:44:30,920 he won't, I think Jimmy will end his career in Miami. I think 710 00:44:30,960 --> 00:44:34,199 Pat is along for the ride. I his wife, from what I understand, 711 00:44:34,239 --> 00:44:37,119 has been trying to get him to retire for however many years, and 712 00:44:37,159 --> 00:44:38,119 I just don't see that. All of a sudden, He's like, Nat, 713 00:44:38,239 --> 00:44:43,480 now's the time. I will say. Then, if and when Spoe 714 00:44:43,480 --> 00:44:45,199 signs his next contract, I need the number on it, like, because 715 00:44:45,239 --> 00:44:49,599 the coaching figure numbers are finicky unless they're like in the Mandi Williams's case, 716 00:44:49,599 --> 00:44:52,800 where it's the Pistons basically forced him to give up his gap year because he 717 00:44:52,800 --> 00:44:54,760 didn't want to come out and they're like, no, here's so much money. 718 00:44:54,920 --> 00:45:00,199 Then we see Pop getting his extension because the coaching market was resett the 719 00:45:00,440 --> 00:45:02,599 number. When when Spo signs his I want to know what the number winds 720 00:45:02,639 --> 00:45:05,679 up being, Like, is it twenty million a year? At that point, 721 00:45:05,760 --> 00:45:07,159 I feel like it could be too. I don't even know what a 722 00:45:07,239 --> 00:45:10,239 contract he's on right now. I don't know his number right now. I 723 00:45:10,280 --> 00:45:14,239 thought I think someone told me, and I don't want to miss quote this 724 00:45:14,280 --> 00:45:15,320 that he is coming up on like the end of it. But I might 725 00:45:15,360 --> 00:45:19,079 be wrong. Okay, also doesn't matter because he could be in year two 726 00:45:19,119 --> 00:45:22,280 of a year five and teams can like if the coaching market was reset because 727 00:45:22,280 --> 00:45:25,440 of many Williams and then Pop gets one, like Spoe's no worse. I 728 00:45:25,480 --> 00:45:28,800 don't want to go through coaching. He's no worse than like the third or 729 00:45:28,840 --> 00:45:31,280 fifth best coaches. Yeah, absolutely not probably the best coach in the league. 730 00:45:31,280 --> 00:45:36,119 But just to account for some like wiggle room. There is there anything 731 00:45:36,239 --> 00:45:38,400 anyone else I have not asked you about pertaining to this team You think we 732 00:45:38,480 --> 00:45:45,079 need to discuss No, I think that you know it's still early in the 733 00:45:45,159 --> 00:45:47,280 in the preseason, but I and I said this earlier, I think that 734 00:45:47,400 --> 00:45:51,599 regardless of what happens this season, and I know this is not necessarily what 735 00:45:51,639 --> 00:45:53,280 Heat fans want, this, this team will be fun. Like I feel 736 00:45:53,320 --> 00:45:57,519 like we're all going to have a blast this season. Obviously, I hope 737 00:45:57,559 --> 00:46:00,159 that that comes with a lot of wins and maybe a move or two at 738 00:46:00,159 --> 00:46:04,800 a trade deadline to get us in a in a better place, you know, 739 00:46:04,880 --> 00:46:07,760 heading into the postseason. But I I just that this team is fun 740 00:46:08,000 --> 00:46:13,239 and I'll take it. You don't think like there could be some I don't 741 00:46:13,239 --> 00:46:15,639 want to call it negativity, but they just made it to the finals. 742 00:46:15,679 --> 00:46:19,679 There will be lumbering those expectations. You miss on Lillard and you missed on 743 00:46:19,920 --> 00:46:22,440 you know, the Donovan Mitchell pursuit, even though they weren't heavily involved in 744 00:46:22,480 --> 00:46:25,199 that couple summers ago. You don't think like the like, what what makes 745 00:46:25,239 --> 00:46:28,599 you believe that it's just gonna be fun? Like you don't think the pressure 746 00:46:28,679 --> 00:46:31,360 is gonna get to them like they are they somehow more validated because they made 747 00:46:31,360 --> 00:46:35,599 it to the finals and we're on viewing it differently than it actually is on 748 00:46:35,639 --> 00:46:39,639 the ground. I just think that this group, and obviously this is not 749 00:46:39,679 --> 00:46:43,880 to say every single person. I still we saw that Duncan struggled when kind 750 00:46:43,920 --> 00:46:45,679 of his name was coming up and stuff. I don't I don't think they 751 00:46:45,679 --> 00:46:50,079 care. I really, I mean, how can you care when Jimmy is 752 00:46:50,119 --> 00:46:54,039 going around spending his time, you know, with soccer stars and playing tennis, 753 00:46:54,079 --> 00:46:59,440 and he cares more about his coffee business. It's just to me between 754 00:47:00,119 --> 00:47:05,400 Jimmy and Kyle, and honestly, I feel like Tyler's pretty unshaken too. 755 00:47:05,639 --> 00:47:07,719 I just think that they're gonna go out there. They know what they're they're 756 00:47:07,760 --> 00:47:12,039 worth, they know what they're made of. They're gonna work hard for sure. 757 00:47:12,159 --> 00:47:14,719 I'm not trying to say otherwise. I just think that this season is 758 00:47:14,760 --> 00:47:17,679 going to be very enjoyable to watch. And I think, honestly it kind 759 00:47:17,679 --> 00:47:22,000 of helps that the national media just doesn't care at all. They don't care 760 00:47:22,039 --> 00:47:25,800 to talk about them. I find the heat polar un not me saying I'm 761 00:47:25,880 --> 00:47:30,800 national media, but like you really think that there's like a dearth of coverage 762 00:47:30,840 --> 00:47:32,679 for Miami when it comes to the national labs. Oh we weren't. We 763 00:47:32,679 --> 00:47:37,480 weren't spoken about literally at all. I mean, we were doing the unthinkable 764 00:47:37,599 --> 00:47:42,320 and every night on Loop whether I mean it's mostly ESPN, but a little 765 00:47:42,320 --> 00:47:45,920 bit of TNT and whoever else as well. It was just Lakers on Loop 766 00:47:45,000 --> 00:47:47,960 Denver. I mean, we just aren't talked about, and I think that 767 00:47:49,719 --> 00:47:54,599 the team no longer feels like they're being shaded necessarily or that that's to their 768 00:47:54,639 --> 00:47:58,199 demise. I think they're like, you're not talking about us. We're just 769 00:47:58,239 --> 00:48:00,360 gonna go and do this and show you what we're made of. And once 770 00:48:00,400 --> 00:48:04,079 it comes to and we kind of force your hand to talk about us, 771 00:48:04,119 --> 00:48:07,199 then you'll pay attention. But no, I think the national media. I 772 00:48:07,199 --> 00:48:09,199 think part of it is the fact that the Heat are so tight lip that 773 00:48:09,280 --> 00:48:13,440 they don't really give anyone much and I'm sure that gets frustrating to deal with, 774 00:48:14,440 --> 00:48:16,239 but I think it's great, and I think that they're all kind of 775 00:48:16,280 --> 00:48:22,239 playing into this underdog, underrated persona where they're just going to put their heads 776 00:48:22,280 --> 00:48:23,719 down, work, have fun while doing it, and then we'll see you 777 00:48:23,760 --> 00:48:29,280 again in the finals. Well, look, Jimmy Butler gain some of my 778 00:48:29,360 --> 00:48:31,079 respect over the off season because I found out he listens to Hot Mull again, 779 00:48:31,119 --> 00:48:35,239 and so hats off to hats off to Jimmy Butler for that. Alan, 780 00:48:35,280 --> 00:48:37,960 are you able to tell our listeners where they can find you on social 781 00:48:37,000 --> 00:48:42,480 media? Absolutely? Alana tahow Ur all A n A t A c h 782 00:48:42,559 --> 00:48:45,639 A U E are on Twitter and Instagram. And maybe I'll come out of 783 00:48:45,679 --> 00:48:47,920 retirement again. We'll see. Yeah, please do it now. I know 784 00:48:47,960 --> 00:48:51,480 you're in retirement. Don't be surprised by passing you at some point during the 785 00:48:51,480 --> 00:48:52,599 middle of the regular seam. Let's try and get you to come out. 786 00:48:52,719 --> 00:48:55,480 I will be here. Thank you so much, as always for doing this. 787 00:48:55,800 --> 00:49:00,679 Thank you AC