Group Chat: What’s the main reason for the Miami Heat’s slow start?

Kevin Love has missed two of Miami’s first five games and hasn’t exactly secured his starting job. Should Erik Spoelstra make a change?

Azam: Yes. Love has shot the long ball decently and has done his usual rebounding, but he was brought back to be a strong veteran locker-room presence, not a full-time starter. While such a change this early may appear drastic, I think it’s time to see what Haywood Highsmith can do as the full-time starting power forward. If his improved 3-point stroke is real, his mobility and ability to defend and box out meshes well with the starters.

Stephanie: While Love can provide his veteran presence on and off the court, change is needed. Consistency for the Heat is what is needed at the moment and Highsmith has excelled not just on defense, but also on offense. He’s a reliable two-way player and has earned a shot at the starting power forward job. I also believe that Duncan Robinson has improved drastically and is such a valuable part of the Heat’s offensively. He should be played as early off the bench as possible to create flow and spacing. He’s evolved his game to be a better passer and defender, with better playmaking, and fouling less on defense.

Noah: I think that Spoelstra should at least experiment with some different lineups. Haywood Highsmith is someone who looks like he has made a leap. He is one of the best on-ball defenders on the team and can shoot the ball reasonably well. Kevin Love is still a good option and could be a better option against certain teams where Miami needs to rebound.

Leo: Kevin Love has a pivotal role to play in Miami… off the court. I’m not sure he needs to be on the court as much. Since Highsmith’s emergence in the rotation last season, he has established himself as one of the Heat’s most consistent performers. Highsmith’s shooting improvement is key. There is no hesitation in his game from behind the arc and it was not a surprise in the slightest to see him nail his first three 3-point shots against the Nets. Love’s chest-outlet passes in transition are a force, but a shake-up isn’t the worst idea at the moment for Miami.

António: Yes, that’s the only position from the starting lineup the Heat can’t tinker with, so get Caleb out there (or Highsmith while he’s out), someone who can defend the point of attack and move without the ball on offense, since you can’t change the point guard on account of having only one. Love brings a lot of positives, but you just can’t have three below-average defenders in the starting lineup. Complement the starting lineup as best as you can right now without having to force Jimmy and Bam to consistently bring the ball up and let the kids run off the bench, with Tyler or Bam as the lone starter along with them. Or go bonkers, embrace the chaos take Kevin and Kyle out of the lineup, insert Caleb and Jovic, and experiment with it. Point guard by committee, everyone can handle, everyone can create offense. It will be unwatchable at times, but it already is. Use size to overpower teams on the defensive side and see what it brings. Try to run as much as possible and have a tighter rotation off the bench.