The Miami Heat starts its preseason Tuesday against the Charlotte Hornets hoping to stay in contention despite missing out on several blockbuster trades.
The team’s stars, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, along with head coach Erik Spoelstra, are confident in the young core’s ability to quickly impact winning after a successful training camp in Boca Raton.
International standout Nikola Jovic and rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. showed veteran-like qualities all week. They are both pursuing the vacant forward spot next to Jimmy Butler.
“I think we’re deeper than we were last year,” said Spoelstra. “So guys are fighting and competing.”
