r/heat

Giannis Antetokounmpo played in a Miami Heat jersey for the first time Saturday. For 14 minutes of preseason action in Quebec City.

And that, plus a few weeks of practice time with his new team, was enough to draw a head-turning comparison from Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

“He makes great plays,” Spoelstra said after the Heat’s 129-105 win over the Kawhi Leonard-less Toronto Raptors. “We knew that about him. We faced him in the playoffs three times. But when you really see it every day in practice this week, you appreciate how brilliant of a playmaker that he can be.

“With the size and the vision and his ability to put it on the numbers to shooters is really impressive. Pat (Riley) was at practice all week and the way he’s played with the ball in his hands and delivering the ball, he reminds all of us of a great big point guard that played for Pat back in the ’80s.”

The big point guard Riley coached with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s? Magic Johnson. The Hall of Famer, five-time NBA champion and three-time NBA MVP.

I know, I know. It was only preseason and what I watched were highlights, so I didn't observe every single play involving every bench player. Nevertheless, am I only one who liked what they saw from Bez Mbeng and Tre Donaldson?

Especially Mbeng, what with the chatter about the Heat needing to be concerned about playmaking at guard behind Mitchell (and with Dru Smith injured). In select highlights from last night's game, he showed off scoring ability, defense and, yes, playmaking.

So yeah I'm cautiously optimistic, but anyone out there watch the entire 48 min and not just highlights afterwards? If you did, I'd love a more comprehensive assessment of both Mbeng and Donaldson.

Haven't seen this posted here yet. Any other Filipino fans here excited for this? Waiting for the details and hoping I can make it 🤞🏻