Miami named Mario Casamajor head coach and Liam Doyle general manager of the Sioux Falls Skyforce on September 15, the first coaching-pipeline appointment logged since John Konchar signed with the Knicks. The preseason schedule is locked in and one late-season number from Simone Fontecchio stands out heading into camp.
Skyforce Hires
The Heat named Mario Casamajor head coach and Liam Doyle general manager of the Sioux Falls Skyforce on September 15. It is organizational business, not a roster move, but it is the first appointment logged since the John Konchar chase closed with his signing in New York.
Preseason Slate
Miami opens exhibition play October 3 at the Raptors, a game NBA TV will carry, then hosts the Pelicans October 8, the Timberwolves October 10 and the Nets October 14. The regular-season opener is set for October 21 against Minnesota on ESPN.
The Number
Simone Fontecchio posted a 70.8 percent true shooting mark over his final 10 games last season, well above his season figure. It is a small sample, but it says a reserve forward finished the year scoring more efficiently than his overall numbers suggested.
Health Notes
Five players carry minor injury tags entering camp: Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee), Bam Adebayo (back), Myron Gardner (ankle), Trevor Keels (knee) and Ryan Conwell (hip), each ticketed to be cleared by October 1.
Bottom Line
The open question is simple: how quickly the five tagged players reach full workloads before the preseason opener at Toronto on October 3, and whether Fontecchio's efficiency earns him a real rotation spot once camp starts.
Did the Heat make a trade or sign a free agent this week?
No. The only move logged this week was Miami naming Mario Casamajor head coach and Liam Doyle general manager of the Sioux Falls Skyforce on September 15, after John Konchar signed with the Knicks days earlier.
When do the Heat play their first preseason game?
Miami opens the preseason October 3 at Toronto, with games against New Orleans, Minnesota and Brooklyn following before the regular-season opener October 21 against the Timberwolves.
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