Q: Ira, I’ve seen everything from the basketball experts from contending for a fourth seed to not even making the play-in. I know you’re not in the prediction game, but what does this say about where things stand? – Roy.
A: That the Heat enter the season as more of a great unknown than any point in recent years. One thought is that Norman Powell was added while little was lost in the offseason, and that getting past the Jimmy Butler hangover should produce something more than last season’s 37 wins. Or it could be that this core has maxed out, to be further tested by the time Tyler Herro is missing at the start of the season. On the face of it, this not only does not set up as a contender, but also as a team seemingly more concerned about the luxury tax and building back up. That rarely results in a winning record. So from there, the entire balance of the season could come down to whether Erik Spoelstra can maximize to a greater degree than expected. He has done it before. Can he do it again?
Related Articles
Submit your “Ask Ira” question here!
Q: I just read an article about how hard Bam Adebayo works on a daily basis. And yet, over almost a decade with the Heat, his offense consists of an on-again, off-again mid-range jump shot, no refined post or back-to-the-basket moves, and no 3-point shooting. There is a disconnect. With all that work, exactly what offensive skills have improved? Is this a failure of coaching or a refusal by Bam to be coached on offense? – Andrew, Coral Gables.
A: And I do highly recommend reading Dave Hyde’s column on Bam Adebayo’s preparation. But there also has to be a recognition of a player’s limitations. Not every NBA player can be a 25-point scorer, just as not every NBA player can defend one through five, like Bam. The undeniable about Bam is he consistently has attempted to maximize every element of his game. He has worked relentlessly with the Heat’s big-men coaches on his footwork and post-up game. If you do not believe, then arrive early and watch his pregame workouts. The problem is that when some point to regression, it often is out of the attempt to try to do more, perhaps too much, such as his stepping to the arc for 3-pointers. And, through it all, there never has been a complaint about not having better talent alongside, when he arguably stands as one of the NBA’s preeminent complementary stars.
Q: With Kel’el Ware, a healthy Nikola Jovic and an experienced Kasparas Jakucionis, the Heat could have a homegrown Big Three in two years. – Michael, Boynton Beach.
A: Well, that certainly is presumptive, first that those three will develop into quality rotation players, let alone franchise mainstays. At 19, Kasparas Jakucionis likely is more than two years away from being a part of any “big anything.” But, yes, there is talent that could be cultivated. From there, it’s up to the players.
