2 Heat players whose stock is rising, 1 whose stock is falling
By Max Marshall
Stock up: Kevin Love
After dealing with a shoulder contusion and then being replaced in the starting lineup by Haywood Highsmith, Love is back in the rotation as Bam Adebayo's primary backup at center.
Love's numbers don't stand out, but he has been a good fit with the starters when Adebayo needs a break. Love hasn't been shooting well from 3 this year, but his reputation keeps opposing teams honest. He's an excellent passer who can still help facilitate on offense from the high post.
Defensively, Love has never been a great on-ball stopper but rebounds and has a knack for taking charges. As Love has shown before, he's capable of switching and blitzing pick-and-rolls, so he can give Miami's defense some different looks.
Love's willingness to take a step back in the rotation sets an unselfish tone for the locker room.
“I think the transition that he’s made at this stage of his career, most former All-Stars can’t or aren’t willing to do it,” Spoelstra said after Thursday's win over the Nets. “And he’s really a star in that kind of role.”