There is no problem a coach would rather have in team sports than plenty of roster depth.

Alec Burks is one of the main reasons for the Miami Heat’s exceeding depth. The veteran wing has been a very welcoming addition to the roster. During this season, he’s averaging 7.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 48.6 percent shooting and 50 percent from three-point range. 

He has contributed massively to the Heat each time he’s gotten significant playing time off the bench. It has led to a 4-1 record when he plays at least 16 minutes a game. In those five games, Burks is averaging 10.6 points, three rebounds, and 2.6 assists on 56.1 percent shooting and 52.6 percent from three-point range. Whether it’s his movement without the ball to find spots for his teammates to give him easy catch-and-shoot attempts or just his elite shooting from the perimeter, Burks has displayed an essential need for this team.

Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson are the Heat’s designated and best shooters. But Burks provides that perimeter threat off the bench. With Robinson moving to the starting lineup and the best way for Bam Adebayo, Herro, Jimmy Butler, and Terry Rozier to play together is to stagger them, Burks plays his role well regardless of who is on the court. 

This cannot be said for Josh Richardson. During the season, he’s averaging four points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on 28.9 percent shooting and 27.3 percent from three-point range. He deserves the benefit of the doubt, as his struggles are primarily due to his shooting shoulder, which required surgery last season. However, with the team being 7-7 and several players outplaying him, Erik Spoelstra may need to revert his role to an emergency option. Burks received little to no playing time during several struggling Richardson games. This can no longer happen with how well Burks is playing.

Bryan Townes is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at btownesjr@gmail.com or on X @bryantownesjr11. Follow our coverage on Facebook.  

Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano are together again, this time with Inter Miami.

The former Barcelona and Argentina teammates have reunited, with Inter Miami announcing Tuesday that Mascherano’s hiring as the club’s new coach is complete. The sides struck a deal late last week for Mascherano to replace Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who stepped aside for personal reasons.

Mascherano most recently was Argentina’s under-20 team and Olympic coach. He’s signed a three-year contract and will take over when his work paperwork is completed.

“This job requires somebody with the experience to be able to maximize our unique collection of talent — from our global superstars, to our burgeoning homegrown players, to our young international prospects, and everything in between,” Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said. “Javier has amassed unmatched experience in his career, from playing on the world’s biggest stages, to coaching at the youth international level.”

It’s not just Messi that Mascherano is joining forces with again. Mascherano, when he was with Barcelona, also played alongside current Inter Miami standouts Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez — all of whom are expected back for the 2025 season.

“To be able to lead a club like Inter Miami is an honor for me, and a privilege I will strive to make the most of,” Mascherano said. “I was drawn to the organization’s undeniable ambition, and the infrastructure it has to support it. I’m looking forward to working with the people at Inter Miami to help the club reach new heights, and to give the fans more unforgettable moments.”

Mascherano, at one time, was the all-time leader for Argentina’s national team in international appearances; Messi has since broken that record. After Martino told the team he was stepping down, Messi was consulted about who he would want as the next coach — so it’s more than reasonable to think this hiring came with his blessing.

“I asked him, ‘What is important to you? And what do you think is important to get the best out of our roster and out of our 11 and how do we improve?” Mas said last week. “And Leo shared with me his thoughts. … Without a doubt, a familiarity with Leo and the other stars is an advantage in every aspect. Obviously, I want Leo to feel comfortable with the new trainer, with the new coach coming in.”

Mascherano is inheriting a team that had the best regular season in Major League Soccer history this year. Inter Miami went 22-4-8, setting league records for points (74) and winning percentage (.765). But the team fell short in the playoffs, falling to Atlanta United in a best-of-three first-round series.

Martino said he made the decision before the playoffs began that he would not be back in 2025. Like Mascherano, he had deep ties to Messi before coming to Inter Miami; Martino coached the world’s most decorated men’s player and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner with Barcelona and Argentina’s national team.

Mascherano was part of those Martino-coached teams as well.

“Throughout his career as one of the world’s best players and as an experienced coach, Javier has always demonstrated what makes him great — relentless determination with the knowledge, instincts and understanding to back it up,” Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said. “We’re very excited to welcome him to lead our team.”

The 40-year-old Mascherano also played for five seasons in the Premier League, most of that with Liverpool. He played in the World Cup four times for Argentina — 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018.

He will face a daunting first year, one that could be Messi’s last with the club; the team hopes he will play in 2026 when it moves into its new home near Miami International Airport — but does not have Messi locked into a contract for that season.

The 2025 slate may include 50 matches or more for Inter Miami. There’s the 34-match MLS regular season, along with tournament appearances in Leagues Cup, the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. The team also has a preseason tour, though few details on that have been revealed other than a match in Tampa, Florida, in February.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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When your father is hailed as one of the greatest footballers to ever grace a pitch, there is a high likelihood you will follow in his footsteps, right?

Well, that appears to be the path that Thiago Messi, the son of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel, is taking.

Thiago, aged 12, turned out for Inter Miami’s under-13 team in the Newell’s Cup in Rosario, Argentina, on Monday, wearing his father’s iconic number 10 shirt.

It is the 10th edition of the youth tournament, which sees eight clubs from North and South America compete across five days.

Father Lionel was born in Rosario, where Newell’s Old Boys are based, and spent five years in the academy of the Argentine outfit prior to joining Barcelona’s famous La Masia youth academy as a 13-year-old.

The 37-year-old, who spent most of his career at Barcelona before moving to Paris St-Germain and then on to Inter Miami, has achieved incredible things in the sport – winning 13 league titles and the Champions League on four occasions.

He also captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 and Copa America success in 2021 and 2024.

Although Messi Sr was not in attendance at the Jorge B Griffa Sports Complex, a banner showing him kissing the World Cup was watching over Thiago.

Thiago’s mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, and grandparents Jorge and Celia Messi, watched from the stands as Inter Miami lost 1-0 to host club Newell’s Old Boys.

Benjamin Suarez, the son of Inter Miami striker Luis Suarez, also featured alongside Thiago.

Inter Miami are back in action on Tuesday against Uruguayan club Penarol 91.