Miami Heat Roundtable: Let’s talk about preseason play
What would your ideal starting lineup look like?
Eyrich: Goran Dragic, Wade, Josh Richardson Kelly Olynyk and Whiteside. Most of the time I would pick James Johnson over Olynyk. But with how Olynyk and Whiteside look together so far, it could be something dangerous. Plus who doesn’t like a seven footer running the four that can also shoot 3’s?
Mora: The ideal starting lineup would be Dragic, Wade, Jimmy Butler, Olynyk, and Whiteside, but for the time being that can’t happen. I would say keep Dragic at the point, Richardson at the two, have James Johnson fill out the small forward position, with Bam Adebayo inserting himself in the starting lineup at the post, leaving Whiteside at his usual center position. Everything seems normal except my Adebayo selection, I know, but I feel both him and Whiteside can definitely co-exist and even make some noise in the perimeter. In the modern small ball era, there are no big guys left, but these two can adapt to the run and gun format and conquer the boards. What has always plagued the Heat are second chance opportunities and with these two in their frontcourt, I think it can pay off dividends. They just need to form a unified force. Having Dion Waiters, Wade, and Kelly Olynyk as part of their second unit helps with that offensive boost, and keeps their posture with pick and roll plays. That’s what I personally would try out for the new year; it might just work.
Johnson: Whiteside, Olynyk, Richardson, Dragic and Wade. Even though Wade’s jumpers have been rattling around the rim, his court vision is second-to-none on this squad. Did you see the dime he tossed to Olynyk against San Antonio? Plus, having him start and hear his name rip through the AmericanAirlines Arena’s speakers would be a great, last hurrah. As far as the Whiteside-Olynyk pairing is concerned, Whiteside’s improved mobility has helped Miami’s offense pick up the pace in a way it wasn’t all last season, and that allows Olynyk to freelance while sharing the court with him. The NBA might be going small, but Whiteside and Olynyk pose a real threat to Miami’s opponents.
Rahming: My answer may ruffle some feathers but here goes nothing. Dragic (for as long as we have him), Wayne Ellington, Justise Winslow/Richardson depending on the matchup, Olynyk, and Whiteside. This lineup offers the most potency from a drive and kick philosophy (positions 1-4), without reneging on the defensive culture that is already instilled in Miami Heat Basketball. If you were to ask me what would be my ideal closing lineup would be, of course, I’d make some substitutions. But that wasn’t the question…
Leniart: Using only players on the current Heat roster (sans-Butler), my ideal starting lineup would be: Dragic, Richardson, James Johnson, Olynyk, and Whiteside. I would have little objection if someone wanted to tweak that lineup by either starting Adebayo over Olynyk or Whiteside though. And an argument can be made to start Winslow as well (you can tell I am totally not an indecisive person…)
Nurse: Miami’s ideal starting lineup would feature Richardson and Butler on the wing. But until that happens, I would like to see Dragic, Waiters, Richardson, Whiteside and Olynyk. If Olynyk can guard the oppositions’ four, his ability to pass and stretch the floor could open up endless opportunities for Whiteside, and put James Johnson back where he thrived with Tyler Johnson.
Gewirtz: My ideal starting lineup would be Dragic, Richardson, Tyler Johnson, James Johnson and Whiteside. I think without Waiters, it is going to be a trial kind of thing to figure out what works best. It seems that Olynyk and Whiteside can play well together based on the first few preseason games. Of course, Butler would change all of this.