Wes Goldberg

And trying to change an identity of a team without changing very much of the personnel is a really tough thing, maybe even an impossible thing in pro sports. And so the fact that it took so long shouldn't be surprising. And then Eric Spoelstra finally found the rotations at work. Rozier to the bench. Duncan Robinson elevated back to the starting lineup.

And trying to change an identity of a team without changing very much of the personnel is a really tough thing, maybe even an impossible thing in pro sports. And so the fact that it took so long shouldn't be surprising. And then Eric Spoelstra finally found the rotations at work. Rozier to the bench. Duncan Robinson elevated back to the starting lineup.

You've got their own version of the Splash Brothers between Tyler Hero and Duncan Robinson now in that backcourt. You add Heywood Highsmith now at the fore on the wing next to Jimmy Butler. And now you've got another really strong wing defender in that group that kind of reduces some of the stress on Tyler Hero and Duncan Robinson defensively.

You've got their own version of the Splash Brothers between Tyler Hero and Duncan Robinson now in that backcourt. You add Heywood Highsmith now at the fore on the wing next to Jimmy Butler. And now you've got another really strong wing defender in that group that kind of reduces some of the stress on Tyler Hero and Duncan Robinson defensively.

You've got their own version of the Splash Brothers between Tyler Hero and Duncan Robinson now in that backcourt. You add Heywood Highsmith now at the fore on the wing next to Jimmy Butler. And now you've got another really strong wing defender in that group that kind of reduces some of the stress on Tyler Hero and Duncan Robinson defensively.

And then Terry Rozier off the bench, he could just focus on being a scorer, which is what he is. He's not really a point guard. He's just sort of a scorer in a point guard's body. And so now everybody's kind of playing more where they're comfortable. And they've figured out a rhythm here because of that. Also, Bam Adebayo got out of a shooting slump. Jimmy Butler is more engaged more frequently.

And then Terry Rozier off the bench, he could just focus on being a scorer, which is what he is. He's not really a point guard. He's just sort of a scorer in a point guard's body. And so now everybody's kind of playing more where they're comfortable. And they've figured out a rhythm here because of that. Also, Bam Adebayo got out of a shooting slump. Jimmy Butler is more engaged more frequently.

And then Terry Rozier off the bench, he could just focus on being a scorer, which is what he is. He's not really a point guard. He's just sort of a scorer in a point guard's body. And so now everybody's kind of playing more where they're comfortable. And they've figured out a rhythm here because of that. Also, Bam Adebayo got out of a shooting slump. Jimmy Butler is more engaged more frequently.

And like you already said, Tyler Hero is playing out of his mind. So that's what's going on, and that's why they've won four straight. In terms of why now these trade rumors with Jimmy Butler and all these things, dude, your guess is as good as mine. Look, honestly, locally, we knew this stuff already. This was an open secret.

And like you already said, Tyler Hero is playing out of his mind. So that's what's going on, and that's why they've won four straight. In terms of why now these trade rumors with Jimmy Butler and all these things, dude, your guess is as good as mine. Look, honestly, locally, we knew this stuff already. This was an open secret.

And like you already said, Tyler Hero is playing out of his mind. So that's what's going on, and that's why they've won four straight. In terms of why now these trade rumors with Jimmy Butler and all these things, dude, your guess is as good as mine. Look, honestly, locally, we knew this stuff already. This was an open secret.

Basically, since Pat Riley declared in the spring in his end-of-season press conference, we're not signing Jimmy Butler to an extension, not even going to entertain that conversation. We're not even going to talk about it this summer. And ever since then, Jimmy Butler's future has been up in the air.

Basically, since Pat Riley declared in the spring in his end-of-season press conference, we're not signing Jimmy Butler to an extension, not even going to entertain that conversation. We're not even going to talk about it this summer. And ever since then, Jimmy Butler's future has been up in the air.

Basically, since Pat Riley declared in the spring in his end-of-season press conference, we're not signing Jimmy Butler to an extension, not even going to entertain that conversation. We're not even going to talk about it this summer. And ever since then, Jimmy Butler's future has been up in the air.

I think the only big difference now is that the Heat are open to listening to offers versus over the summer. They were essentially shutting down those offers. And I think that, again, it always was heading in that direction. You think about where Miami is or the league is at that 20 game mark of the season. That's typically when teams will take a step back and reflect on things.

I think the only big difference now is that the Heat are open to listening to offers versus over the summer. They were essentially shutting down those offers. And I think that, again, it always was heading in that direction. You think about where Miami is or the league is at that 20 game mark of the season. That's typically when teams will take a step back and reflect on things.

I think the only big difference now is that the Heat are open to listening to offers versus over the summer. They were essentially shutting down those offers. And I think that, again, it always was heading in that direction. You think about where Miami is or the league is at that 20 game mark of the season. That's typically when teams will take a step back and reflect on things.

Not just your own team, but also you look at the other teams. So I think a lot of those teams that might have called in the summer to ask about Jimmy Butler were calling again. And I'm assuming that the impression given to those teams was, well, we're not hanging up the phone right away. And that might just be the only thing here.

Not just your own team, but also you look at the other teams. So I think a lot of those teams that might have called in the summer to ask about Jimmy Butler were calling again. And I'm assuming that the impression given to those teams was, well, we're not hanging up the phone right away. And that might just be the only thing here.

Not just your own team, but also you look at the other teams. So I think a lot of those teams that might have called in the summer to ask about Jimmy Butler were calling again. And I'm assuming that the impression given to those teams was, well, we're not hanging up the phone right away. And that might just be the only thing here.