Q: Ira, I never really heard about Alondes Williams, but he looked good against those NBA Rookies at All-Star on Friday. Everyone is excited about Delon Wright (and so am I), but Williams looks like he could add shot creation. – Sandy.
A: Which basically is his game, with some 3-point shooting thrown in. But even with his familiarity with the Heat system (the Sioux Falls Skyforce attempt in the G League to mirror the Heat approach), he only saw mop-up duty in the win in Milwaukee and did not play in the win in Philadelphia – and both of those games were with Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson out. But the upcoming trip after the All-Star break features a back-to-back at Sacramento and then at Portland, so there perhaps could be an opportunity on that second night. Moreso, it will be interesting to see if the Heat waive sidelined Dru Smith late in the season to move one of their three two-way players to a longer-term, nominally guaranteed contract as a high-value developmental player. That could be the next step for Alondes. But you are correct, he hardly looked out of place against first- and second-year NBA standouts in the Rising Stars competition. Sunday he gets another showcase in the G League All-Star Game that precedes the NBA All-Star Game.
Q: I’ve always been a fan of young Delon Wright as I watched him in the league over the years and was a big fan of big brother Dorell with his years in a Heat uniform. I like the pickup. Typical Erik Spoelstra player, 6-5 and can guard one through three and shoot the 3. Let’s go. – Douglas.
A: The question now is whether Delon Wright is viewed as an injury replacement amid the absences of Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson, or is perceived as something more. Obviously the Heat had to do a bit of recruiting, so I would assume some opportunity will be there. But at the expense of which player’s minutes? We won’t know that until both Rozier and Richardson return.
Q: I’m glad Bam Adebayo is an All-Star. Do they still do that thing where All-Stars work with the younger players? I remember when the All-Star Game was in Miami that Kevin McHale was teaching post moves. – Larry.
A: It has moved more toward fraternization than just about anything to do with basketball. That also was a time when winning the All-Star Game held meaning to the players, and beyond the current approach of making it highly lucrative. So, no, I doubt much in the way of mentorship, especially with the All-Star practice sessions now turned into media availabilities.
