It has been since January 16 that Kyle Lowry has not set foot on an NBA floor. At the bottom of the bench, not a trace of his contagious smile. On the ground, the last two losses of the Heat make wind of his absence. We take stock of the situation.
Six-time All-Star, best player in Raptors history and future Hall of Famer. The entrance is raw but assumed. It serves to situate the man and introduce the sequel. In the shadow of flashier names that shape the Heat’s roster, Kyle Lowry is of paramount importance to his teammates, their results, and the rest of the season. When the bosses are not there – 26 and 32 games played for Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, out of a possible 51 – the former Dino takes the youth under his wing and serves as a benchmark for the collective. Alongside the 2019 champion, Tyler Herro, Gabe Vincent and Duncan Robinson feel good. He gives them confidence. Only here, since January 16, Kyle Lowry has not walked on an NBA floor. No trace of the smile that – for nine seasons – capsized the Scotiabank Arena. It’s not even known if the player is healthy. Physically, there is no doubt. He didn’t take time off to tend to an injury or go away for a good time. The reason given by the franchise is that of “personal problems”, which when an absence tops the 2 weeks, does not bode well for the family life of the concerned. But ignorant speculation is futile – besides disrespectful – and all we can do, on our scale, is sit back and wait for Kyle Lowry to return. It’s getting long for the Heat, it’s getting long for basketball fans.
Jimmy Butler sends his best to his friend and teammate Kyle Lowry postgame after the Heat victory and speaks about keeping the right priorities
He also breaks down the Heat’s on court excellence in their win@MiamiHEAT | #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/EDOLW1Ewoy
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) January 29, 2022
“It’s always important to realize that basketball is secondary. […] I miss him, we miss him. We want him and his family to be well. –Jimmy Butler
Of the 39 games played this season, Kyle Lowry averages 13.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1 interception at 41% shooting including 33% at 3-pointers. He is this leader capable of taking the ball under his arm and taming the tempo of a meeting with Floridian sauce. This is also one of the reasons why Erik Spoelstra gives him 34 minutes a night, just to recite the systems and minimize risk taking. Without him, the Heat instantly lose their footing and no longer display the same level of serenity. Without PJ Tucker, without Bam Adebayo, without Jimmy Butler, Floridians have always got away with Kyle Lo’s experience on position 1. But when the latter in turn leaves the equation – and even if the other cushys have returned – it no longer does. The Heat remain on two straight losses – 120-124 against Toronto, then 92-122 against Boston – and have slipped from the throne of the Eastern Conference on which the Bulls now sit. He may have a shot and a well-loaded crotch, Gabe Vincent does not give off the same aura as Kyle Lowry in the ascent of the ball. Experience cannot be bought and rubs off on results. The experience of an NBA champion is bought even less and rubs off even more on the results. Speaking of bagouze, the Heat plays this Tuesday in Toronto *sighs*. The former home will indeed not be part of the feast for this match which was to be his first return to Scotiabank Arena since his departure. The Floridians are moving there again on April 4, hoping that Kyle Lowry will be part of the trip at that time.
Sometimes it’s good to leave the orange ball in the box and take a step back from the life of a pro sportsman. Take care and come back to us quickly champion.
