By joel Perez 
So what’s up, Heat fans! How are you guys feeling at this point? Yeah, yeah, I know this whole
Jimmy Butler situation stinks, but let’s take a second to really admire what we got to witness last
night against the Orlando Magic. The guys on the team actually looked happy and joyful playing
with each other and came away with a win through sheer force.
To start, I’ve gotta talk about our one true All-Star this season—Tyler Herro. Herro finished with
a stat line of 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 12 assists, nearly securing a triple-double. He shot
12-for-28 from the field, and watching him consistently find ways to get involved in the offense,
even though Anthony Black was picking him up the moment the ball was inbounded, was
something special. Tyler is getting immense attention from almost every team he faces because
he’s become such a lethal offensive weapon. Earlier this season, back in December, Tyler
mentioned that he’s modeled his game after Stephen Curry, adjusting his shot profile to take
more three-pointers and fewer mid-range shots. Heat fans everywhere are hopeful the coaches
make the right call and vote Boy Wonder into his first All-Star game appearance—he’s
absolutely deserving, given everything he’s done for the team so far this season.
Now onto Bam, who finally seemed to take on the aggressor role offensively in this game
compared to recent contests, where he seemed more passive. With Tyler Herro being forced
into tough spots by Anthony Black’s aggressive defense—which even Miami Heat TV analyst
John Crotty called “pest-like”—Tyler often found Bam off the double team or on the roll, forcing
Bam to step up and be assertive. Last night’s game was the kind of performance every Heat fan
expects from Bam on a nightly basis but, unfortunately, hasn’t seen consistently this season. But
when it happens, it’s a beautiful sight to behold! Bam finished the game with 26 points, 10
rebounds, and 9 assists, also nearing a triple-double. He scored 10 of his 26 points during the
overtime periods, helping close out the game. One of the game’s key moments came off a
pick-and-roll with Tyler, where Bam exploited a mismatch with Anthony Black. After Black went
under the screen, Bam used a jab step to create an opening to the basket, finishing strong at
the rim and extending the Heat’s lead to secure the win.
Not only was Bam impressive on offense, but he also delivered a two-way masterclass,
showcasing his value on defense. He disrupted passing lanes and protected the basket, forcing
the Magic into tough shots. Paolo Banchero, who Bam primarily guarded, had a rough night
offensively. Despite playing 44 minutes, Banchero managed only 17 points on 7-of-21 shooting,
further highlighting Bam’s defensive presence.
And last but not least, let’s talk about Kel’el Ware, who showcased why he could be a premier
big man in this league one day. Ware played the entire fourth quarter and both overtime periods,
dropping 19 points on an efficient 7-for-8 shooting, including a perfect 4-for-4 from three. He
made those threes when the Heat needed them most. Ware also contributed 10 rebounds, 2
steals, and a block. Ever since earning his first start, Ware has been impressive and hasn’t
looked back. He’s quickly become a valuable asset for the team, and as he continues to gain
consistent playing time with the starters, his chemistry with the squad will only grow.
Both Bam and Kel’el have a chance to build something special, forming one of the league’s
most versatile frontcourts. Right now, we’re seeing Kel’el more on the perimeter, but I’d like to
see him spend more time near the basket or in the dunker spot. That adjustment will come with
time as he gets used to playing alongside Bam. For the first time this season, we saw Bam and
Kel’el share the court with Nikola Jovic for an extended period. While that lineup might have
been matchup-based against Orlando, I was genuinely impressed by how that group performed,
especially when paired with shooters like Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson, who also
contributed offensively down the stretch.
Amidst all the Jimmy Butler drama, this team found a way to stick together and pull off a big
double-overtime win against an Eastern Conference rival. They evened up the season series,
climbed back above .500 at 23-22, and now sit at the 6th seed in the East. Not only was it a
huge victory amidst the outside noise, but it was also a massive win for team camaraderie, with
everyone contributing to the effort.
Angel Rivera 
Joel Perez