Q: As a lawyer in Northwest North Carolina, I want information on Alondes Williams and on the Miami Heat in general. I have followed him since he played for Wake Forest. I thought he played well in summer ball. So do the Heat include him or what do you see as his NBA future? Thanks. – Charles, Elkin, N.C.
A: At the moment, Alondes Williams is a free agent, available to be signed by any team. But, like you, I thought he not only had a solid summer league, but thought he showed that for this current Heat roster he might be a better fit than Josh Christopher, who, instead, got one of the two-way slots that Alondes held last season. While Christopher’s streak scoring during summer league was impressive, I thought Alondes showed more of the all-around, two-way elements that the Heat stress from their role players. But, again, such decisions are in the eye of the beholder. This beholder would have had Alondes back on a two-way contract, if he was receptive to again playing for half the veteran minimum. Then again, perhaps there will be a standard offer elsewhere ahead of camp, one that the Heat, because of their position against the second tax apron, are not in position to offer. In the end, I still see a two-way pathway back to the Heat for Alondes, amid the uncertainty of where Dru Smith stands from a health standpoint.
Q: Nikola Jovic as a 6-10 small forward is a plus for this team not a minus, and moving Jimmy to the two in that lineup makes him even more of a mismatch nightmare. Terry Rozier or Tyler Herro at the one, whoever is less of a liability defensively, starts, with the other as the sixth man. Jimmy at the two, Jovic at the three, Bam Adebayo at the four and Kel’el Ware at five is the best lineup to match Boston. Bench: Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Duncan Robinson. – Swann,
A: The only way the type of lineup you propose works is if you believe either Nikola Jovic or Kel’el Ware can defend an athletic power forward (with the other of the two defending the opposing center). And remember, the East features athletes such as Jayson Tatum at power forward. Then you would have to be comfortable with Bam Adebayo defending the opposing power forward. Yes, zone could alleviate some of those concerns, but that cannot be your base defense. So such an approach first would have to answer questions on the defensive end. Beyond all of that, to say that Kel’el Ware is even close to being, at this moment, anointed an NBA starter is more than a bit of a reach.
Q: I hope during the season Joel Embiid thanks Bam Adebayo for saving his butt during the Olympics. – Tomas.
A: I’m not sure it has been anything close to that dramatic. And it does appear that Joel Embiid has regained his legs in time for the knockout round at the Paris Games. But, yes, Bam Adebayo’s play at the start of the Olympics, and even during the exhibition tour leading up to the Games, certainly made it easier for Joel Embiid to find his way in international play. But when it comes to Heat-76ers, the rivalry remains real, particularly with Caleb Martin now in Philadelphia.
