Q: So who gets to tell Norman Powell, he’s giving up his spot to Tyler Herro when he returns? Powell is playing lights out and I’d rather see Norman Powell when the game is on the line vs. Tyler’s defensive liabilities. – Rodney, Miami.
A: No, no, no, no, no, let’s not do this. Teams win with a variety of quality contributions and with all due respect to Norman Powell, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, there isn’t quite anyone on the superstar level on this roster. That’s something closer to what Jalen Brunson showed Sunday night for the Knicks with his 37 points. If Erik Spoelstra can make it work with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, he certainly can find a way with this roster. As for the closer and what happens at the ends of games, that likely will come by committee and the situation. What Tyler Herro will make this team is . . . better. And there is nothing wrong with that. If anything, it will be more a factor of who gets moved down the rotation. And right now, it does not look like that will be Jaime Jaquez Jr., either. These are good problems. So bring ’em on.
Related Articles
Submit your “Ask Ira” question here!
Q: Ira, when does Terry Rozier’s “leave” with the Heat turn into being able to be replaced on the roster? – Len.
A: With the Heat operating with 14 players under standard contract since the start of the season, the team already had the ability to add another player – provided they were willing to go into the luxury tax. The real question is when relief from the cap/tax might come in regard to filling Rozier’s roster spot, with the Heat currently operating with only 13 eligible players under standard contract (two shy of the league limit). It might be convenient for the NBA to simply put Rozier aside as on leave (with full pay), but there are roster implications for a Heat team operating two guards down to injury (Kasparas Jakucionis and Tyler Herro). While this all is new for the NBA in light of Rozier’s arrest and the federal gambling indictment, part of the sport of being quick on your feet. That now stands as an NBA challenge.
Q: Why is it that Utah can play Kyle Filipowski, Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler together and Erik Spoelstra can’t play Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware together? – Mike, Bora Raton.
A: Because the Heat are playing to win? And the two have started together the past two games. But the team’s best stretches have come with the either/or approach as Erik Spoelstra cycles through his rotations. Such staggering of starters hardly is unusual. And Sunday was a game when smaller ball paid its dividends.