MIAMI -- Even with Miami starting shooting guard Tyler Johnson and primary backup Wayne Ellington out with injuries, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said he will not insert Dwyane Wade into the opening lineup.
Spoelstra wants Wade, a 12-time NBA All-Star now on the down side of his basketball career, to get comfortable in his role as the igniter of the Heat's second team.
Wade, who essentially played that role in 2008 when he helped Team USA win Olympic gold, is fine with Spoelstra's plan.
"It's not weird," Wade said. "I came off the bench for a long time before you all knew who I was.