Miami Heat’s Matt Williams, left, talks with Bam Adebayo (13) during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, in Miami. The Heat won 117-115. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
“That’s what I like about this training camp,” Spoelstra said in September. “This is the first time that no one will officially get cut. These guys are all part of our system and we wanted to develop them.”
MIAMI — The start of the regular season is just one week away, as the Heat will open things up against the Magic in Orlando on Oct. 18.
But there are still two preseason games left to play before then. Tom D’Angelo and I discussed where things stand for the Heat right now, like how about that Hassan Whiteside-Kelly Olynyk lineup?
Kelly Olynyk #9 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket against Quincy Acy #13 of the Brooklyn Nets in the first half during their Pre Season game at Barclays Center on October 5, 2017 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Rodney McGruder, shown stealing the ball from Orlando Magic’s Elfrid Payton during Heat’s win Wednesday, is one of 10 former Skyforce players in the NBA. (AP Photo)
The Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami’s D-League affiliate, has 10 former players on NBA opening day rosters including four on the Heat.
McGruder, DeAndre Liggins and Jarnell Stokes ended the 2015-16 season with the D-League champions and were among the Skyforce’s top players. Stokes, who made the Denver Nuggets, led Sioux Falls with 20.6 points and 9.3 rebounds in 28 regular season games. Liggins, who stuck with the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers, averaged a team-high 7.0 assists and 13.0 points in 34 games.
Other former Skyforce players on NBA rosters: Alexis Ajinca, New Orleans; Justin Hamilton, Brooklyn; Amir Johnson, Boston and Shabazz Napier, Portland.
Sioux Falls opens its season Nov. 12 at home against Salt Lake City.
