2 Heat players whose stock is rising, 2 whose stock is falling fast

The Miami Heat have suffered back-to-back tough losses—losing to the Sacramento Kings on Monday night and to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.

Miami is struggling offensively and has issues maintaining their performance throughout the entire game. They have moments of great basketball but often fall short, performing well for only 38 to 40 minutes instead of a full 48. The team’s star players haven't been living up to expectations at the start of the season.

While some players have adapted well to their new roles, others are still having difficulty finding their place. Although it's still early in the season, Miami needs to figure out how to close out games before the situation gets worse.

Stock down: Bam Adebayo

Bam Adebayo has struggled to find his role in Miami's offense and regain his shooting touch. Last night, he went 5-for-21 from the field. It was encouraging to see Adebayo visibly frustrated when missing shots; he knows he needs to perform better. He is missing very makeable shots and seems to be overthinking his game. Adebayo's shooting touch has been inconsistent throughout his career, and this season, it has been notably poor from the start.

Many expected Adebayo to take a leap this season after a productive summer and a strong Olympic experience, but that hasn't materialized so far. Coming into this season, he had been focusing on improving his three-point shooting to help create more spacing for Miami. In the NBA, it's essential to have a big man who can stretch the floor. Unfortunately, Adebayo is shooting just 3-for-15 from beyond the arc. Although he has had open looks, there are times when he doesn't even attempt a shot and instead looks to pass.

Adebayo needs to elevate his offensive game for Miami to secure wins. While I'm not placing the blame solely on him for the team's back-to-back losses, he hasn't stepped up in critical moments. If Adebayo can return to his usual shooting form, Miami would be in a much better position.

Stock up: Tyler Herro

Tyler Herro has had an impressive season so far, playing effectively off the ball and avoiding reliance on mid-range shots. He has excelled as a three-point shooter, boasting a remarkable 45.9% accuracy from beyond the arc. Over the years, many critics have scrutinized Herro's game, but those criticisms have largely faded. Regardless of personal opinions about his style, he has made significant changes to enhance his performance for the benefit of the team. So far this season, Herro has emerged as Miami's best player, averaging more than 22 points per game while shooting 50% overall and 46% from deep.

Additionally, Herro's passing has been a highlight. He is consistently making the right decisions and exhibits a nice touch with his passes—a development that has surprised many, including myself. While Herro may not be a lockdown defender, he has shown greater engagement on the defensive end this season. If he continues to play at this level, he has a chance to become an All-Star.

Stock down: Nikola Jovic

Nikola Jovic has yet to find his rhythm in Miami's starting lineup. While he possesses a variety of skills that could benefit the team, he seems uncertain about his offensive and defensive roles. Jovic has been getting open looks from three-point range but has struggled to convert, shooting only 30.8% compared to last season's 39.9%. Although it's early in the season, he doesn't appear to be shooting with confidence.

In terms of defense, Jovic seems out of place and needs to improve his matchups when defending larger players. I had high hopes for him to be a standout and a reliable shooter this season. With Haywood Highsmith performing well and proving to be a stronger defender than Jovic, I wouldn't be surprised if Highsmith finds himself in the starting lineup for the next game.

It's important to remember that Jovic is only 21 years old, so it’s natural for him to experience growing pains. Unfortunately for him, Miami is in a position where winning games is crucial, leaving little time for the typical adjustments of a young player. If Jovic does move to the bench, I believe he could still contribute as part of the second unit, where he could play more freely.

Jovic prefers to push the pace, but the slower style of the starting lineup doesn't cater to his strengths. In the second unit, he would have the opportunity to change the game's tempo. For him to succeed, he needs to shoot the ball with confidence.

Stock up: Pelle Larsson

Miami's second-round pick has been a bright spot for the team this season. Larsson is NBA-ready and has proven himself worthy of a spot in Miami's rotation over the past two games. He consistently contributes by diving for loose balls, grabbing rebounds, and, more importantly, defending at a high level as a rookie. Currently, Larsson is shooting 40.0% from three-point range, although those numbers might be misleading since it's based on just 10 attempts (4-10).

What I appreciate most about Larsson is his aggressive approach when attacking the rim. His ability to drive to the basket is crucial for Miami's offense. He understands his role and consistently plays within it, making him a player who could finish games for Miami at times. The team found an NBA-ready player in the second round, which is impressive, especially considering that many teams struggle to get value from their lottery picks. If Larsson can continue to find ways to stay on the court, it will be difficult for Erik Spoelstra not to include him in the rotation.

Stats do not include results of Friday's game in Denver.