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No NBA team will add a bigger and better piece to their starting lineup this upcoming season than the Miami Heat. Of course, that is because the team traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the very best players in the NBA. Adding the Greek Freak cost them Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, and a surplus of draft picks.
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The former of those departures was not just a starter for the Heat, but an All-Star. The latter three all had experience starting or potential to start in the near future, had it not been for the blockbuster. The point is, the Heat are going to look a whole lot different this season when it comes to their starting lineup. Antetokounmpo joins Bam Adebayo, a fellow megastar who had an 83-point game last season. The Heat will also likely start Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell. The former number one overall pick never quite lived up to his potential, but he has made a productive career for himself. Mitchell is a defensive-minded, pesky player.
As of now, it appears that the fifth starting spot will go toKlay Thompson, another offseason acquisition. However, Thompson’s starting spot is at risk.
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Klay Thompson is one of the greatest 3-point shooters in NBA history. His 2,899 long ball makes are the fourth most in NBA history. Of course, Thompson’s picture-perfect form and catch-and-shoot mastery was at its best when he was one half of the Splash Brothers. Although Thompson has regressed in recent years, it can even be argued that his 3-point shooting has become underrated.
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Thompson really is a perfect fit in Miami’s starting five because the Heat desperately needed spacing. Antetokounmpo is a downhill player who wants to dominate the painted area, and while Adebayo’s 83-point explosion proved he can score outside, he is still an interior player first and foremost. Both players will draw a lot of attention and kick out to an open Thompson. However, it isn’t a guarantee that Thompson actually gets the nod as the starting shooting guard.
Tim Hardaway Jr. also has a case to be in the starting five. Hardaway provides loads of beyond the arc shooting, just like Thompson. However, he is a better scorer from the other two levels at this point in their careers. Hardaway can create his own shot, and his defense actually looked improved with the Denver Nuggets last season.
While the Heat have players who get downhill, they actually lack pure playmakers. Miami might be better off with Hardaway’s self-creation ability over Thompson’s style of player, which relies on few dribbles and receiving plenty of passes.
Most likely, Thompson will, in fact, be a part of the starting lineup. His regression was highlighted buy a recent buyout by the Dallas Mavericks, though, and if the Washington State product doesn’t look like his old self, a team in their contention window like the Heat might consider all possibilities, including having Thompson come off the bench.
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Related: Heat’s Bam Adebayo was a ‘bad shooting night’ away from passing Wilt Chamberlain
Related: Bam Adebayo ‘doesn’t give a f**k’ what crazy Kobe Bryant fans think about his 83-point game
