Miami Heat, Spurs look to transition after losing franchise stars

The Miami Heat will play the San Antonio Spurs in their fourth game of the preseason.

Erik Spoelstra said the Miami Heat aren’t in an auditioning phase for the starting power forward spot, but rather “a developmental phase” right now. Through three preseason games the team has started three different players at power forward–Luke Babbitt, James Johnson and Derrick Williams.

But it’s not just the 4 spot that the Heat are experimenting with. Wayne Ellington started at shooting guard for the first time, supplanting Tyler Johnson, who moved to a combo guard position off the bench.

In other words, for the first time in a long time, these eight preseason games matter for the Heat as they try to find a formula that works as they transition into the post-Big 3 era.

The experimenting will continue against the San Antonio Spurs, who are also dealing with the loss of its own franchise star Tim Duncan (only this loss was due to retirement, and Duncan remains with the team in a front office role).

So while the Spurs signed veteran Pau Gasol to replace Duncan, they are still in a transition stage of sorts, though they figure to still be among the top teams in the Western Conference.

Friday’s matchup between Spoelstra and Gregg Popovich figures to be an interesting one from this perspective. Look for a lot of experimenting in lineups and rotations as both coaches look for answers.

Podcast

I talked with Jeff Garcia of Locked On Spurs and News 4 San Antonio about the Spurs’ off-season, life after Wade and Duncan, how the Spurs plan to use Kawhi Leonard, his takeaways from Dion Waiters’ strong playoff performance last season and if he thinks Justise Winslow can be the next Leonard.

Injury Report

For the Heat, Josh McRoberts (foot), Josh Richardson (knee), Stefan Jankovic (foot) and Chris Bosh (blood clots) are out.

LaMarcus Aldridge will not play for the Spurs as he attends his induction to the University of Texas’ Hall of Honor.

Player to Watch

Justise Winslow draws comparisons to a younger Kawhi Leonard all the time, and the two should have the opportunity to go against each other Friday.

Leonard, who was given the night off in Wednesday’s game against the Magic, looks even better this preseason. He continues to develop at a rapid pace and is playing offense even more confidently. With Duncan gone, this is Leonard’s team now more than ever.

Winslow can learn a lot from Leonard–who has thrived as an elite defender while adding bits to his offensive skill set each season.

Winslow is trying to do the same thing after working with a shooting coach this summer to improve his jumper. Watch his rhythm and his foot work when in catch and shoot situations, that’s where he needed the fix.

How to Watch

Tip off is at 8:30 pm ET. For those in South Florida, you can watch on Fox Sports Sun.