ASK IRA: Will injuries have Heat’s Jaquez, Jovic on the outs at the start of season?
Q: Jaime Jaquez Jr. played one summer league game and then was out with a shoulder injury. Now one preseason game, out with a groin. Nikola Jovic missed most of his rookie season with his back, and now is out with a knee. Sucks the young guys can not stay on the court. – Jon.
A: Actually, it was two summer-league appearances for Jaime Jaquez Jr., but your point is valid, with nothing more meaningful than court time for young players. The same goes for Nikola Jovic, even with his meaningful minutes for Serbia at the World Cup last month. And with Jaime dealing with a groin strain and Jovic with a knee bruise, those are the types of ailments that can linger, even with coach Erik Spoelstra insisting on day-to-day designations with the team’s current injuries. For veterans such as Jimmy Butler, Josh Richardson and Caleb Martin, they know what it takes to get their bodies to the starting line, with the expectations of all three being ready for the Oct. 25 season opener against the Pistons. As it was, it would have been difficult for Jaime and Nikola to crack the opening-night rotation. Now that appears particularly unlikely.
Q: Kyle Lowry will likely not be the full-season starter at point guard this season. It will likely be Tyler Herro or Jaime Jaquez Jr.. Due to Lowry’s age it is unlikely he is able to start the full season. Kevin Love is in the same boat. Both no more than 15 to 20 minutes a game. – Abel.
A: Well, the constant from Erik Spoelstra during the preseason has been about his team’s upgraded depth. And by carrying a 37-year-old point guard in Kyle Lowry and a 35-year-old power forward in Kevin Love, that depth is essential. I still view it as more likely that Love starts than Lowry, particularly if Spoelstra believes he has the depth at center that doesn’t require utilizing Kevin as his backup five. By contrast, the Heat showed last season they could win, and win big, with Kyle in reserve. Of course, that also was when the Heat had Gabe Vincent. Still, when already dealing with a 34-year-old starting small forward in Jimmy Butler, you can only push so many years into your first five.
Q: Ira, I was going to complain about the Heat and Dolphins playing on the same day until I realized they both were exhibition games. – Drake.
A: Ah, I see what you did there, with the Dolphins making it look incredibly easy against the Panthers after falling behind 14-0 Sunday. As for the Heat, with so many rotation players sidelined, you can read even less into these games than typically meaningless exhibitions.