4. Shawne Williams
A month ago, Shawne Williams wasn’t even a lock to make the opening day roster. Now, he’s likely to suit up for the team as its opening night starter.
A low-radar signing at the beginning of August, Williams was merely seen as a training camp body. After all, he’s played with six teams in seven seasons in the NBA.
However, McRoberts’ toe injury at the beginning of October gave the journeyman forward a chance to shine during the preseason. Spoelstra had Williams start at power forward for most of the preseason, and he did not disappoint–he averaged nine points per game on 44 percent shooting from three-point range. This included a performance in which he went 5-for-5 from beyond the arc in a preseason victory over the Golden State Warriors.
While Williams is not the all-around player that McRoberts is, he fills the Heat’s power forward void until McRoberts returns from injury. Since Chris Bosh will be playing more in the post, Williams will stretch the floor for the offense while playing heavy minutes.
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