Handful of players to fight for spots on Heat roster
For the Miami Heat, there are a few certainties in life, the main one being that the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh will occupy spots in their starting line-up. Wade
is expected to miss two weeks with a strained hamstring but will undoubtedly start once he's healthy. But beyond their three All-Stars, things get less certain.
The Heat currently have 19 players on their roster and will need to bring that number down to 15 in time for the beginning of their regular season on 26 October. And their two pre-season
games this weekend against two quality opponents, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, should help the Heat decide on who to keep and who to let go. And James, the two-time reigning MVP, is imparting some advice.
"Guys want to try to make the team, so it’s not about pressing," said James after practice on Thursday. "It’s about just trying to go out there and I guess showing them what you can do
to help our team."
Knowing that the pre-season is his chance to evaluate players currently on the bubble, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra will give more minutes to these players over the weekend.
"I might sit some guys out particular games so we can look at people," Spoelstra said. "We have a lot of guys. We’ll probably make some decisions after this trip."
Players currently fighting for a spot on the Heat roster include Patrick Beverley, Kenny Hasbrouck, Shavlik Randolph, and Dexter Pittman. For these players, the chance to chase a championship
with three All-Stars is at stake this weekend. And they know it.
"I know that the Heat organization, they make smart moves," Pittman said. "If they decide to keep me or let me go, then that’s what’s was best for the team."
"You try not to think about it," Beverley said. "You just try to get better. Every day I walk in here, try to get better, try to compete, learn some new things. That’s what’s up to me."
Team president Pat Riley doesn’t see anything wrong with having too many players during the pre-season.
"Well, when you start to have to be worried about the bottom of your roster, then you’re in good shape, OK?" Riley said. "I mean, for about two years here, we were always worried about
the top of the roster, did we have enough?"
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