The Miami Heat made a switch last season, from Meyers Leonard to Jae Crowder as the starter. Will Meyers Leonard retake that spot in this upcoming season?
The Miami Heat have a few interesting decisions to make in this upcoming season. While they eventually found themselves making the swap last season, Jae Crowder for Meyers Leonard in the starting lineup, one of those guys isn’t there anymore.
As we all know that is Jae Crowder, having since signed with the Phoenix Suns, that then leaves the question of Meyers Leonard starting. I believe that answer is yes, he will be the starter alongside Bam Adebayo when the season opens on December 22nd and here’s why.
The Miami Heat brought Leonard back into the fold. That says a lot and especially once you consider how much they spent to do it.
The reason you go as high as they did on the contract is that you see him as an integral part of what you want to do. If not, they could have likely found a cheaper replacement if he were only a minor part of their plan.
I imagine the thing that they find unique about Leonard is the fact that he is a very adept outside shooter, but a legit 7 feet tall. Although he isn’t a shot-blocker, per se, he is a big body, which can be used as a thick boundary between the offensive player and the rim, and lastly, you just can’t teach that kind of size.
Secondly, Jae Crowder isn’t there anymore. It’s a simple process of elimination.
Before Crowder had come in and totally transformed his shooting touch, Meyers Leonard was the full-time starter. Once Meyers went down with injury though, Crowder stepped in, took off, and never looked back.
Without Crowder in the fold and as stated, Meyers is the guy there again. It’s as simple as that.
So, to answer the question, I do expect Meyers Leonard to be the starter again. These were the reasons why.