Udonis Haslemwho holds a position at the heat as their vice president of basketball development said in an appearance on ESPN’s NBA Today in May that he believes so Tyler Herro was supposed to come off the bench for the club, then reiterated this point in an interview in September. Speaking to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Herro admitted he spoke to Haslem about those comments.

“We had a conversation about it” Herro said. “It was a friendly conversation. I told him my concerns about why I didn’t think he should have said that. He explained why he thought he should have said that. At the end of the day, it’s basketball. Our relationship is bigger than basketball. If he thinks I should start, that’s cool. If he thinks I should come off the bench, that’s his opinion. Everyone has their own. It’s cool. It’s really no big deal.”

Head coach Erik Spoelstra didn’t heed Haslem’s advice this fall, as Herro was part of his starting lineup in each of the Heat’s first three games. When asked if he was happy to remain in the starting lineup, Herro expressed his appreciation for Spoelstra’s decision, according to Jackson.

“I was hoping to be a starter, so yeah.” he said. “I thought I should start. I don’t think it’s even a conversation anymore. It is a narrative that the people around me create. I’m a starter in the NBA. I am a team person. I would be happy to come off the bench if necessary. But I’m a beginner. That doesn’t detract from what else I bring: I’m a great teammate. I love seeing other guys succeed.”

Here’s more on the Heat ahead of Wednesday’s game against New York:

• It’s unclear how much offseason addition will be added Alec Burkeswho was a DNP-CD in the Heat’s first game last Wednesday will play this season, but Spoelstra likes having the veteran swingman with him. Miami’s head coach called Burks “such a pro” after he made three 3-pointers in 25 minutes off the bench against Charlotte on Saturday. “That term is used so much in our league, but he’s a real professional.” Spoelstra said, according to Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel (subscription required). “He’s professional, he’s ready, he stays prepared, he’s smart, he knows how to fit in and he’s got great skills too. “He can block open shots. He manages to open gaps. But he can also handle the ball. So he can be a second carer for you. And he’s big, so defensively he fits in with the things we do.”
• Honored this week with a statue in front of the Kaseya Center, the former heat watchdog Dwyane Wade made it clear that he was still watching Bam Adebayo the next longtime face of the franchise and torchbearer of Heat culture, writes Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald.
• After recovering from shoulder and heel injuries, heat protection Josh Richardson was active for the first time this season on Monday but did not see any action. Now he’s back on the injury report, according to Chiang, who tweeted that the Heat have listed Richardson as questionable because of a left calf strain.
• The Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami’s G League affiliate, has officially announced a training camp roster that includes former first-round picks Nassir Little and nine-year NBA veteran Tony Snell.