David Ramiland Wes Goldberg here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Heat podcast, with your daily Locked On Heat newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Heat and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Jimmy Butler’s Role and Miami Heat’s Defensive Surge
Nov 24, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) sits on the bench against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images | Rhona Wise/Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
In the latest episode of Locked on Heat, hosts Wes Goldberg and David Ramil dive into the Miami Heat’s recent performances, focusing on Jimmy Butler’s standout games and the team’s defensive improvements. The discussion centers around Butler’s potential new role and whether he can maintain his high level of play throughout the season.
Jimmy Butler’s Impact and Role Evolution
Jimmy Butler has been a force on the court, scoring over 30 points in consecutive games for the first time since December 2023. His aggressive playstyle has opened up opportunities for his teammates, a strategy encouraged by coach Erik Spoelstra. However, the hosts express concerns about Butler’s ability to sustain this intensity, given his age and the physical demands of the NBA schedule. They suggest that while Butler can deliver high-impact performances, consistency might be a challenge without adequate rest.
The Debate on Butler as Point Guard
A notable point of discussion is Butler’s potential role as a point guard. His agent, Bernie Lee, suggested on Twitter that Butler should play this position, given his skills in driving and passing. While the idea has merit, Goldberg and Ramil argue that traditional positions are less relevant in today’s NBA. Instead, they emphasize Butler’s role as the team’s primary playmaker, regardless of his official position. His ability to create opportunities and drive the offense is crucial, especially in Miami’s five-out system.
Defensive Resurgence: Key to Miami’s Success
The Heat’s recent defensive performance has been impressive, ranking sixth in defensive rating over the last six games. This improvement is attributed to the return of Kevin Love, whose defensive rebounding has been pivotal. Additionally, Haywood Highsmith’s defensive efforts have been a game-changer, providing the team with much-needed energy and hustle.
The hosts highlight the importance of maintaining this defensive intensity, as it could be the key to Miami’s success. With a strong defense, the Heat can transition from merely staying competitive to winning games outright.
Looking Ahead
As the Heat prepare for upcoming games, including a matchup against the Bucks, the focus will be on maintaining their defensive prowess and finding the right balance in Butler’s role. With Terry Rozier expected to return, the team will have a full roster, offering more flexibility in rotations and strategies.
In conclusion, the episode underscores the significance of Butler’s leadership and the team’s defensive capabilities. As the season progresses, these elements will be crucial in determining Miami’s standing in the Eastern Conference.
Giannis Antetokounmpo improves on greatness, again
Giannis, Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez lead the way for the Bucks in 2024
Our modern relationship with the concept of greatness is a strange thing. Certainly in NBA basketball, but even more broadly, we like to hold greatness up to its lack. Less readily do we accept greatness at face value, or allow for greatness to simply stand on its own. It needs a backdrop of failure, and maybe because of that, it is failure we’ve become better at discussing. When greatness persists, or proves to have staying power, it feels almost dull. We want greatness to come with persistent conflict, and we want our greats to prove it, again and again.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a prime modern example.
Over the weekend, Antetokounmpo made history. He became the NBA athlete to record the most 30-point games in a decade, beating out the obvious candidates of Steph Curry and LeBron James. That’s over 262 games with 30-plus-points. So far this season, he’s been averaging 32.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, and shooting field goals at a 60.8% accurate clip. These numbers are staggering and yet, at a glance around discussion on the season, you’d think they were hum-drum.
Truth be told, conversation about the Bucks and Antetokounmpo seemed more engaged when both struggled early in the season. Those favourite, swirling questions of will-he-or-won’t-he be traded, or force a trade, rose with aplomb. A championship calibre team doing badly is always news, sure, but when its championship calibre superstar pushes through the struggles to virtually carry the team, we tend to turn our attention elsewhere.
Maybe it’s because the thing that’s given Antetokounmpo another gear this season — rediscovering the mid-range — is a part of the floor not as exciting as the three-point range teams like the Celtics are bombing from, but the bump has been drastic. Last season Antetokounmpo shot 35.1% from the mid-range and thus far this season he’s converting 47.8% of his mid-range attempts (of which he’s doubled, 2.4 to 4.3).
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Feel Good Learn how a wrestling legend offered emotional support to Shaquille O’Neal during a challenging time, showcasing a heartwarming connection. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Heat host the Bucks in the latest NBA Cup group stage matchup. Read the preview.(NBA)
Preview Emirates NBA Cup play continues this week — here’s what lies ahead for all teams. (NBA)
Roster Before the 2025 NBA Draft, get familiar with 10 international prospects. (ESPN)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Monday’s Fantasy Basketball Recap - Hamstrings Strike In Orlando
Nov 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) shoots during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters/Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Monday’s NBA action brought a whirlwind of performances, injuries, and strategic moves that could significantly impact your fantasy basketball lineup. Here are the major takeaways from the day, focusing on what’s most relevant for fantasy managers.
Injury Updates and Player Returns
- Devin Vassell is expected back on Wednesday, which is great news for those who have been patient with his knee issues. Meanwhile, Jordan Clarkson is out for Utah, creating opportunities for players like Colin Sexton and Isaiah Collier to step up. Keep an eye on Johnny Juzang as a potential deep-league add.
- Gary Harris suffered a hamstring injury, which could open up more minutes for Cole Anthony and Anthony Black. With Jalen Suggs also dealing with a hamstring issue, these players could see increased roles.
Waiver Wire Trends
- Moussa Diabate has become a hot commodity following Grant Williams’ injury. While Diabate’s scoring is limited, his defensive stats make him a valuable short-term add.
- Malcolm Brogdon is worth considering for streaming, though his long-term value remains uncertain. Similarly, Ty Jerome had a standout performance, but his shooting percentages are unlikely to be sustainable.
- Naji Marshall and T.J. McConnell are sensible additions given the current absences in their respective teams. McConnell, in particular, could provide solid assists and steals with several key players out.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Heat podcasts.
How Jimmy Butler Is Fueling the Miami Heat’s Turnaround
The Miami Heat are 4-2 in their last six games and Jimmy Butler is playing his best basketball in a long time. Is this turnaround real, and what can we expect from Butler going forward? Wes Goldberg and David Ramil break down what they’re seeing from the Heat and what Butler said that could signal a big change in his approach.
Jimmy Butler’s Impact on Miami Heat’s Overtime Win
Can the Miami Heat’s overtime triumph against the Dallas Mavericks signal a turning point in their season? With Jimmy Butler’s standout 33-point performance leading the charge, the Heat showcased their resilience in a thrilling NBA matchup. Hosts Wes Goldberg and David Ramil explore the strategic decisions that shaped this game, including Erik Spoelstra’s intriguing rotation choices and the impact of Miami’s five-out offensive strategy on players like Bam Adebayo. The discussion also touches on the absence of Luka Doncic and how it influenced the dynamics on the court.
How the Miami Heat Broke the 76ers, Joel Embiid Wanted Jimmy Butler, All-Star Game Changes
Did the Miami Heat end the process-era Philadelphia 76ers, and how much is Joel Embiid to blame? Wes Goldberg and David Ramil dive into the differences between the two organizations and whether Embiid preferred Jimmy Butler over Paul George before looking ahead to Heat-Mavericks on Sunday and changes to the All-Star game.
