Miami Heat Roundtable: 2018-19 play has officially tipped off

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 20: A general view of American Airlines Arena prior to the game between the Miami Heat and the Charlotte Hornets on October 20, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 20: A general view of American Airlines Arena prior to the game between the Miami Heat and the Charlotte Hornets on October 20, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 24: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on against the New York Knicks during the first half at American Airlines Arena on October 24, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 24: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on against the New York Knicks during the first half at American Airlines Arena on October 24, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

And what has been your favorite part about the return of Miami Heat Basketball so far?

Morganfield: My favorite part about the return of Miami Heat Basketball is Heat Nation; Heat fans are all over the country and social media, standing by their team. Fans see the team playing their hearts out and their encouragement towards them is really what I love about the game. The players always show love to the fans and the fans return it back to them.

Leniart: Is “all of it” an acceptable answer here? (Editor’s note: absolutely). If I had to pick one thing, it would be watching the growth of the younger players on the roster. Josh Richardson and Bam Adebayo have seen their roles increase. Justise Winslow has missed some games early on due to injury, but, when he returns, he will be a staple of the Heat’s rotation. As the season progresses, these guys will only continue to grow their games. Barring any future moves, these guys are the foundation of Miami’s future.

Eyrich: Edge of your seat/near heart attack games. I’d love to see the Heat run more teams out of the arena like they did the Knicks, or at least earn more comfortable wins, but who doesn’t love a good game regardless, right? Whether the Heat are playing to the potential of their opponents or not, a game that keeps you intrigued from tip off to the final buzzer, is always fun to watch.

Gewirtz: My favorite part has been seeing how the team interacts on and off the court. It is a fun group, with a good mix of young players and veterans, and I think they could actually surprise people this season, especially once everyone is back from injuries.

Ramos: Just finally getting to see the young guys take steps forward in their development, and watch the team chemistry grow with each passing game.

Nurse: My favorite part about Miami Heat Basketball so far has been the play of the young guys. Between Hassan Whiteside looking like a double-double machine again, the emergence of the aforementioned McGruder, the newfound aggression of Richardson and highlight plays from Adebayo and Jones Jr., the Heat look like they could be a pretty entertaining team… Makes you wish they would have saved their money and committed to the young guns and a few first round draft picks.

Rahming: I know we all like to see people score big while tuning into games, especially on national television, but my favorite part of Miami Heat Basketball is defense. I enjoy watching the team fly around and legitimately look upset if they miss a rotation or assignment. I was just chatting with a friend and she admitted to me that although the Lakers are her team, she has trouble staying up late to watch the second half of their games. Before I realized it, I had already taken a shot at her team. “Well, that’s because it’s a glorified pickup game. You know you’re going to see the same offensive and ‘defensive’ scheme in the second half, so what’s motivating you to stay awake?” I’m thankful the same isn’t true about the Heat.