Heat Push Pace, Wolves Keep Randle, Wembanyama Powers 3-0 Spurs
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Miami, FL — Two games into the season, the Miami Heat are running at full speed under head coach Erik Spoelstra, relying on instinct instead of set plays. “Playing with a pace like this, you love to see everybody collectively having fun,” center Bam Adebayo said, according to the Miami Herald. He added that the team “barely ran any set offense” during the first half of Friday’s win over Memphis, instead using constant motion and quick cuts. “It’s hard to scout a team when everybody is live. That’s starting to be our identity,” Adebayo noted.
Off the court, the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman argued that the NBA should compensate Miami after guard Terry Rozier was arrested for alleged involvement in illegal betting tied to his Charlotte tenure. Winderman suggested the league either rescind the first-round pick Miami sent the Hornets in that trade or award the Heat a compensatory selection. Regaining that asset would restore the club’s full slate of tradable first-round picks under the Stepien Rule.
Randle Chooses Stability in Minnesota
Forward Julius Randle said he remained with the Minnesota Timberwolves this summer because of the trust he has in head coach Chris Finch. “Finch ultimately trusts in me as a player. He’s a hell of a competitor. He wants to win every single thing, and I know that’s his mindset every night,” Randle told EssentiallySports. He added that Finch’s support during last season’s adversity outweighed any free-agency pitches. Randle also spoke about his relationships with Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert and the roster’s confidence in its championship potential.
Spurs Open 3-0 Behind Wembanyama
The San Antonio Spurs are 3-0 for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign after beating the Brooklyn Nets 118-107 in their home opener. Rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama delivered 31 points and 14 rebounds in 36 minutes. First-year guard Dylan Harper contributed 20 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in 29 minutes.
Harper credited his composure to a lifetime around the game. “I’ve been around basketball right when I was born,” he told the San Antonio Express-News. Head coach Mitch Johnson highlighted the newcomer’s defense: “His offense was really good, but I thought his defense was better. Some of that was his team defense. He’s learning fast.”
Source: Hoops Wire
