In this week's Roundtable, the All U Can Heat staff reflects on the first half of the Miami Heat season, then looks forward to make some predictions.
Q: Which Heat player did you change your opinion about the most in the first half of the season?
Alex Villasis: This might be taking the easy way out, but I am going with Tyler Herro. I expected Herro to be the Heat’s best scorer, but Herro has taken a star-level leap on offense, where teams have occasionally doubled him from way beyond the arc. Herro deserves his flowers and should be rewarded with his first All-Star appearance.
Daniel Riccio: I’m going with Jimmy Butler. Heading into the season, it truly felt like he meant all business and was motivated to prove himself on the court on a contract year. I looked forward to one last run, especially with the roster finally improving internally. He has disappointed everyone involved.
Max Marshall: Jaime Jaquez Jr, earlier this season, I thought Jaquez could be a high-level role player for Miami. Jaquez got injured early in the season and has been up and down since. Having said that, the scouting report on Jaquez is out. Jaquez needs to make improvements on his game this summer for him to stick around long term in Miami. He has been a disappointment to me.
Q: What five-man lineup do you want to see more of in the second half of the season?
Villasis: A lineup I want to see more of is Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Haywood Highsmith, Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware. This lineup provides great spacing and features the best scorer on the team in Herro and two of the best defensive players in Highsmith and Adebayo. Plus, you have size in the front court to win battles on the glass.
Riccio: A lineup I would like to see is Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr, Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware. I do believe Haywood Highsmith should still have a legit role, even if it’s off the bench, with his 3-and-D skills. But Jaquez was balling out in Butler’s absence over that first suspension, and I’m hoping to see some more of that.
Marshall: I would like to see Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware. This is a sad season overall. This lineup would be the most fun to watch. Miami has size for once and, ideally, should look to push more.
Q: Besides a Jimmy Butler trade, give me a Heat prediction for the second half of the season.
Villasis: I’m going to go out on a limb and say Tyler Herro sets the Heat record for 3-pointers made in a game with 11. Herro has been really close multiple times, and I think adding this milestone to his career year would only be fitting.
Riccio: I may have to piggyback off of Alex here and go with Tyler Herro and the Heat's 3-point record. Additionally, I am going to predict that Herro continues to elevate his game in Butler’s absence and secures not just an All-Star nod— but Most Improved Player of the Year as well.
Marshall: Kel’el Ware will win Rookie of the Year.
Q: The Heat brought back the Original Vice jerseys! What historic Heat jersey would you love to see come back one day?
Villasis: I would love for the Heat to bring back the all-black jerseys that Miami had during the Big 3 era.
Riccio: This is such a tough question to answer because of so many iconic options to choose from. I have to go with both the ‘El Heat’ and black Miami Vice jerseys— my two all-time favorites!
Marshall: I would say the back-in-black jerseys or the blue vice jerseys!