Erik Spoelstra, Heat ‘really feel' for Terry Rozier, Kevin Love and their tough situations
Terry Rozier and Kevin Love began the season in the Miami Heat's rotation. But both have since fallen out of the rotation and won't be available for Game 2 of the Heat's first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
Rozier will miss Game 2 at Rocket Arena after spraining his left ankle during an optional workout on Monday and Love remains away from the team because of ongoing personal reasons.
It's just the latest setback amid a rough season for Rozier, who began the season as a Heat starter but received eight DNP-CDs (did not play, coach's decision) over the final 14 regular-season games. He also did not play in the Heat's two play-in tournament games and did not receive any playing time in Sunday's Game 1 loss to the Cavaliers in Cleveland before turning his ankle the next day.
'I really feel for Terry,' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said following Wednesday's morning shootaround at Rocket Arena. 'You can see what kind of teammate he is, just how much everybody roots for him — staff and players alike. I love his vibe. I like how he's a team guy.
'Even when he hasn't been in the rotation, he's rooting for everybody and he's continued to work. He's always had that great work ethic and that edge, and it's a bummer that he got hurt basically on one of the last plays of the scrimmage. But he heals fast and we'll just treat him day to day.'
Rozier, who is in a walking boot and on crutches, was one of only four players in the NBA who shot worse than 40 percent from the field and worse than 30 percent on threes while playing in at least 60 games this regular season. That list also includes Charlotte Hornets forward Tidjane Salaun, Philadelphia 76ers guard Ricky Council IV and Orlando Magic guard Jett Howard.
'I have the utmost respect for Terry,' Heat captain and three-time All-Star center Bam Adebayo said. 'He could have let go of the rope, like a lot of guys have done in this league. They let go of the rope because they're out of the rotation or whatever the case may be. For him to keep fighting, keep having perseverance and just keep stacking days of just trying to get better, you respect that in somebody.'
As for Love, he was away from the team for the final 10 games of the regular season because of personal family reasons. He rejoined the team for the Heat's first play-in tournament game against the Chicago Bulls last week, but then again left the team to attend to personal reasons and remains away from the Heat for Wednesday's Game 2 in Cleveland.
'We feel for him and what he's going through right now,' Spoelstra said of Love. 'So the thoughts are more about that, being there for him. We all know how much he means to us in our locker room, but this transcends that.'
The 36-year-old Love began the season as the Heat's backup center, but he has taken on more of a leadership role after dropping out of the Heat's rotation this season. He has played in just seven games since the start of January.
'We miss K-Love,' Adebayo said. 'But at some point, he might get back with us.'
ADEBAYO'S GOOD WORK
The NBA announced Wednesday that Adebayo is among the five finalists for the 2024-25 NBA Social Justice Champion award. The other finalists are Harrison Barnes of the San Antonio Spurs, Chris Boucher of the Toronto Raptors, Jrue Holiday of the Boston Celtics and CJ McCollum of the New Orleans Pelicans.
According to a press release sent out by the league, 'The recipient of the annual award receives the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar trophy and recognizes a current NBA player for pursuing social justice and advancing Abdul-Jabbar's life mission to engage, empower and drive equality for individuals and groups who have been historically disadvantaged.'
'The biggest thing is giving people hope,' Adebayo said Wednesday after being named a finalist for the honor. 'That's what I really do it for, giving people encouragement. Understanding that there can be brighter days. You never know how something small can affect somebody's day, and that can go a long way. You hear about all the stories of NBA players saying one or two things to somebody, and it changed the whole trajectory of their life. So for me, it's just giving people hope.'
The NBA Social Justice Champion will be announced during the playoffs and will receive $100,000 from the NBA to benefit a justice focused organization of his choosing.
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