Miami Heat 2016-17 player preview: Luke Babbit
By Simon Smith
The 2016-17 season
Babbitt arrives in Miami with fellow newcomers Derrick Williams and James Johnson, along with the aforementioned Waiters and Ellington. The competition for playing time is going to be fierce, despite the loss of Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Luol Deng and Joe Johnson. Whilst they are huge names departing, the new and incumbent talent should ensure the Heat surprise a few people.
Babbitt will be competing directly with Justise Winslow, Williams, Johnson and McRoberts for playing time. All these players are capable of playing multiple positions, which certainly doesn’t make it easy for Babbitt. The most likely expectation is that Babbitt will commence the season as a backup and split time at both the three and four spots.
The early season absence of McRoberts could create some opportunities. Furthermore, Babbitt himself sounds confident in his new surrounds. Recently he stated, “We can play four-out, one-in with Hassan…I think Coach Spo will get some creative lineups out there. As I watched last year, he played 6-8 guys at all five positions.”
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Whilst Babbitt is not the most heralded of the Heat’s new additions, he could prove to be a very good fit. With the Heat looking to run and open the floor, set-shooters such as Babbitt could find this approach to his liking.