Miami Heat: Predicting the rotation for the season opener
By Jack Simone
What the Miami Heat rotation will be on opening night: Starting lineup
Based on everything that the Miami Heat have done this offseason, including their six preseason games, everyone seems to know what the starting five will look like. Regardless, let’s run down who will get the nod.
Kyle Lowry
The Miami Heat didn’t pay Kyle Lowry nearly $90 million this offseason to bring him off the bench. He will undoubtedly be Miami’s starting point guard on opening night.
His impact on the game was evident in the preseason, and the connection he has already made with his teammates is clear as well. He’ll be a huge part of both their offensive and defensive game plans.
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Duncan Robinson
This is the only position that could be at least somewhat debatable. However, Duncan Robinson has earned the starting spot with how well he has played for the past two years.
Tyler Herro played super well in the preseason, but he’ll probably play best coming off the bench. And similarly to Lowry, the Heat didn’t pay Robinson as much as they did just to bring him off the bench.
Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler has been the face of the franchise ever since he signed with the Heat a few years ago. Saying that he will be in the starting lineup is like saying that the Jets are a bad football team – it’s obvious.
The impact he has on both sides of the ball cannot be ignored. Barring any injuries, expect to see him in the starting lineup each and every night.
PJ Tucker
When the Heat signed PJ Tucker, everyone just sort of assumed that he would be the starting power forward. Well, the preseason proved those assumptions to be true.
He stepped into the starting lineup and made an immediate impact. Tucker will be one of the team’s top defenders, as well as a knock-down shooter from the corner.
Bam Adebayo
Lastly, Bam Adebayo will be the starting center. He has emerged as one of the best young superstars in the NBA, and the Heat will build around him moving forward.
Adebayo will be a perennial candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, and rightfully so. The young center is primed to take this league by storm in the coming years.