April 20, 2014
Q: Ira, are the Heat scouting the Nets already, because that’s who they’re going to face? Paul Pierce might as well have been calling out LeBron James when he hit those shots Saturday. — Michael, New York.
A: First things first. But it’s safe to say the Pierce wasn’t brought in to hit shots merely against the Raptors. Like everyone else in the East, the Nets reloaded with an eye on the Heat. As Brooklyn continues to build its lead against Toronto, it’s safe to say there will be a keener Heat focus on what could come next. And, yes, the Heat are scouting Nets-Raptors, just as every team scouts their next potential opponent in the playoffs.
Q: How can the NBA not have replacement shot clocks for playoff games? — Murray.
A: They do, usually the type they put on the corners of the court, like in the old days. They also have an extra basket stanchion and even an extra referee for the playoffs. To a degree, the Raptors’ organization saved themselves great embarrassment with the game not going until the final ticks of the 24-second clock on any sequence beyond the one when Pierce nailed a jumper off an inbounds play with 2.8 seconds left on the shot clock late in the fourth quarter. You can rest assured that all playoff teams will be warned about having a better backup plan in place.
Q: Who will be inactive for the Heat in the playoffs? — Ron.
A: It can change from game to game. It’s safe to say that Justin Hamilton will be one of the choices with a healthy roster. The other likely could be James Jones, who rarely plays when the perimeter rotation is healthy. Against a smaller team, say should the Heat play the Nets in the second round, it possibly could be Greg Oden. Erik Spoelstra has to make such decisions an hour before each tipoff.
April 19, 2014
Q: Please ask Pat Riley or Erik Spoelstra why Michael Jordan’s basketball jersey is still hanging at AmericanAirlines Arena. — Stuart.
A: It will be a bit odd, with Jordan sitting below his jersey in a visiting arena, when there is nothing similar in his own team’s arena. But any time it’s Jordan vs. Riley, it’s all the more fun. I do think, as the Heat continue to build their legacy, with Alonzo Mourning the first of many to enter the Hall of Fame, that the Heat subtly remove (or move) the Jordan and Dan Marino jerseys that now are essentially hidden in the rafters of the building, anyway. Heck, the Heat should open Sunday’s playoff game by lowering Jordan’s jersey in a special ceremony. If the Bobcats can move back to the Hornets nickname next season, then the Heat should be able to excise a bit of their history, as well.
Q: It doesn’t matter that the Heat lost the two tiebreaker drawings and fell to No. 26 in the first round of the draft. They’re going to trade the pick, anyway. — K.O.
A: I’m not so sure in these times of the “repeater” luxury tax that the Heat won’t come to value picks more than in the past. The locked-in draft scale provides some of the best salary value in the NBA, especially for a pick at the end of the first round.
Q: Are you sure Greg Oden isn’t going to start against Charlotte? — Ed.
A: With Erik Spoelstra’s wheel of lineups, I’m not sure of anything. But if he was thinking about starting Greg on Sunday, I think he at least would have given him the start in Wednesday’s season finale against the 76ers. I just can’t see banishing Udonis Haslem back to the bench at this stage.
April 18, 2014
Q: What makes everyone so sure Dwyane Wade is completely re-healed and back good as new for 16 wins? — Mike.
A: A reasonable point, considering he only returned this past Saturday and has been limited to a maximum of 24 minutes per game. And I agree that all this talk of Dwyane being “back” still has to be seen on the court. Look, he was terrific in the first half in Atlanta, when he shot 7 of 7, and was brilliant in the first quarter against the 76ers. But that’s also against a pair of teams with losing records. The results were not nearly as encouraging in the loss in Washington. Figure on LeBron James and Chris Bosh trying to get Dwyane going, just as they did in Atlanta. But Dwyane also will have to work on the defensive end against Gerald Henderson, whose physicality could have an impact. But just as Erik Spoelstra says about his 3-point shooters, you have to pay attention to Dwyane at all times. No matter what percent he stands, he stands as a threat. The Bobcats recognize as much.
Q: Assuming we play Nets in the second round, do you think Brooklyn really matches up well or the Heat weren’t really taking them seriously during regular season? — Jeffrey.
A: Beyond pausing to warn that it’s still a case of first things first, with the Heat opening against the Bobcats, and the Nets still having to get past the Raptors, I think this talk of Brooklyn’s regular season dominance of the Heat is significantly overstated. Three of Brooklyn’s victories in their 4-0 sweep were by one point, with the other game going to overtime. At best, you can argue the teams are evenly matched. And that Heat will be the ones with homecourt advantage.
Q: Hi, Ira. Is it fair to say it “seems” the Heat gambled and lost, after losing the No. 1 seed, trying to get the easiest road to the Finals? Brooklyn outmaneuvered the Heat and now it seems they may face each other in the second round. — Giovanni.
A: The Heat didn’t “gamble,” they just weren’t good enough or healthy enough to win the games they needed to win to secure the top seed, which remained a priority until it was out of their hands. Where the Heat “gambled” was taking teams such as Utah and Sacramento and Boston and Detroit and New York and Philadelphia too lightly. If the Heat do re-repeat with another NBA title, there are going to be a bunch of lottery teams saying, “Hey, we were good enough to beat the eventual champions.” It is doubtful any quality team had as many rancid losses in 2013-14.
April 17, 2014
Q: Not only did Jason Kidd throw soda on the court to get a timeout this season, he coached his team into tanking a few games at the end of the season. I hope the Heat send the Nets packing this season. I hope The Big Three are taking note, because Kidd and the Nets (Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Company) are basically sending a message that they want to play the Heat. Mason Plumlee, I think LeBron will block a few of your shots! — Stuart.
A: Well, we’ll see soon enough whether it was genius or folly. But the Heat have to get in line to be offended, with the Nets clearly seeing a first-round path of least resistance through Toronto. Wonder what the exchange rate right about now is for respect of Kidd & Co. north of the border? Look, Toronto is one of my favorite cities in the world, and a second round there in the spring would be delightful. But Jason Kidd’s job is not to win friends, it’s to create the best possible odds for his team to win a title. He apparently likes those odds against the Raptors and Heat. We shall see soon enough.
Q: Pat Riley in the past has talked about how after a number of years coaching the same players the coach’s message stops getting through to the players. Do you think that might be happening now between Erik Spoelstra and his players? Also I admire Spoelstra’s calm, respectful, professional approach to coaching but do you think that it might be time for a more fiery, in-your-face approach with this group? — Joel.
A: I don’t think these players would react well to a fiery; they have enough pressure on them already due to expectations. But I do agree that any message can become tiresome when repeated often enough. What really matters, though, and what only should matter, is whether that message is the correct one, whether the players believe in the system and the approach. I do think there have been times when Spoelstra’s creativity has had some questioning the direction. But success trumps all, which is why Gregg Popovich has endured in San Antonio.
Q: Sorry, I know it’s playoff time, but I can’t help but look ahead. One of the things that no one seems to address about this coming summer is the flexibility Miami “should” have with Wade on restructuring a long-term deal. I know he holds all the cards with the ability to opt in for two more years at $20 million plus, but let’s play that out. What is he getting on the free-agent market in the summer of 2016 if he opts in twice? He missed almost 30 games this season. Even if he could still command a 3-year, $30 million deal in 2016 (and that seems generous given his age and health), he’d basically be making $70 million over those five years. So why not just re-sign for a 5-year, $70 million deal this summer? That would make him only a $14 million cap hit for the Heat (much improved from $20 million), and give him the guarantee now of those extra three years. At his age and health, I would think that would be enticing for Wade. — Mike.
A: The problem is the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement has an “Over-36” rule to combat exactly what you are suggesting, deferring money to a date when the player is less likely to be worth that money. Basically, money earned after 36 on that type of contract is earned in full, but the hit in early years against the salary cap and luxury tax is higher than it otherwise would be. Wade turned 32 in January, so the math is not as favorable as in your example when it comes to the tax or the cap. Now, it Wade were to bypass his early-termination option and take a four-year deal, it would be the best of all worlds for the Heat.
April 16, 2014
Q: It’s comical how some fans are blaming Erik Spoelstra for everything that has gone wrong. This is on the players and injuries (can’t control that). But perspective people, it’s just a seeding . . . all is not lost yet (so we hope). The real season starts this weekend. Also, is it really on Spo that Norris Cole regressed this season? That Mario Chalmers still can’t turn the corner to that next level of a veteran consistent point guard? That Dwyane Wade was injured? That Chris Bosh all of sudden became a Euro Big man (well, maybe he could have coached that differently)? That Greg Oden did not live up to his billing? That Caron Butler chose Oklahoma City instead of Miami? That LeBron James is running on fumes since he has had to fill in for Wade’s role and Mike Miller’s? Just an odd season. — Julio.
A: To a degree, some of that definitely is on the staff, unless you can accept that players such as Cole and Chalmers have maxed out their talent (which certainly could be a possibility). Developing players very much is part of coaching them. But you are correct that there also have been several factors beyond the staff’s control. The only thing that matters now is making things as right as possible for the playoffs. Two months of quality play and all would be forgotten. Otherwise, the inspection would go even beyond what you have mentioned. And yet, if the goal was to have the Heat right and ready for the start of the playoffs, then that ultimate goal ultimately might have been achieved. We’ll see.
Q: Here’s another Norris Cole email for you. Why is it that Cole seems immune from falling out of the rotation, unlike guys like Shane Battier, Udonis Haslem, Rashard Lewis and Michael Beasley? It seems that everyone one else who falls out of the rotation and gets back in comes back refreshed and ends up breaking out of slumps. Maybe that’s what Cole needed. A team with LeBron and Wade should not even need Cole to play all the backup minutes at point guard, never mind the minutes Cole plays next to Mario Chalmers. — Adrian.
A: I think it comes down to the lack of a suitable alternative, with all due respect to Toney Douglas, who largely has played his minutes at shooting guard amid Wade’s absences. I agree that if Wade had been available more often, there might have been less of a need for a secondary ballhandler. The difference among the players you mentioned being benched is that there have been numerous alternatives for Spoelstra at forward. At guard? Not so many. The hope now is that Cole can repeat last year’s playoff success, or at least come close.
Q: Do we have a draft pick this year? It seems like a very deep draft class, with potential and underclassmen. — Julio.
A: Yes, the Heat have their first-round pick this year, with their 2015 first-round pick likely going to the Cavaliers to close out the 2010 sign-and-trade for LeBron James. Because you cannot trade successive future first-round picks, the Heat, by rule, have to exercise a pick in the draft. That doesn’t mean, however, that they can’t pick for someone else or immediately deal their selected player. Based on the current standings, the Heat should select somewhere in the range of No. 25.
April 15, 2014
Q: Ira, this is what bothers me: “It was out of our control at some point.” Erik Spoelstra said it after Monday’s game, I think when he was telling you why he sat LeBron James and Chris Bosh. But that had nothing to do with Indiana winning on Sunday. That had to do with the Heat letting it get out of control. Why didn’t anyone call him on that? — Steven.
A: Because after Saturday’s loss in Atlanta and then watching the Pacers step up at the finish Sunday against the Thunder, I think the Heat completely turned off the standings and turned their attention to the start of the playoffs. But the reality is the Heat allowed it to get out of their control, with all those awful losses to terrible teams, from the 76ers to the Jazz to the Kings to the Celtics (twice). That’s why they’re not the No. 1 seed in the East and why their final record is so pedestrian, not the time Dwyane Wade has missed, not resting players, not calls that didn’t go their way at the end against the Timberwolves and Nets. No, it was because, at times, the Heat seemingly couldn’t be bothered with lesser challenges. The good news is there will not be any sub-.500 teams in the Heat’s playoff bracket. There also will no longer be time for excuses. “Control” was ceded a while back. Now they have to regain it.
Q: I know the playoffs start a new slate, first team to get 16 wins. But the Heat seem a step off this year. Kevin Durant is a little better than LeBron James. The Heat have lost too many games to sub-.500 teams and their rotations on defense seem a step slow. Bosh and Norris Cole are exhausted. Wade missed a third of the season. The Heat haven’t been able to get any flow into this season, just like the two times the Heat seized first place from the Pacers only to lose and give it back. The Heat’s season is defined by being a step behind. Something is off this year. I hope the Heat can overcome these habits in May and June. — Stuart.
A: As Spoelstra has said all season, each journey is different. This one certainly has been, although I don’t know if it’s what Spoelstra had in mind.
Q: I’m very interested in what Wade’s contract will be in the future. The Heat cannot afford to pay him like a Top 15 player. — Karl.
A: They might not have any choice. Remember, Dwyane has an early-termination option after this season and a player option after the 2014-15 season. So if he does nothing, he earns $20 million-plus each of the next two seasons, with the Heat having no recourse but to pay that salary. NBA salaries cannot be restructured unless a player opts out, completely wiping out the salary and renegotiating anew. So, at this point, Dwyane holds all the cards.
April 14, 2014
Q: The Heat have stunk for over a month. Why would anyone think that they can win it all this year? — Joel.
A: Their previous playoff body of work? The fact that LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have lost one playoff series during their four seasons together? The fact that with Wade back, players such as Norris Cole and Mario Chalmers won’t be asked to do as much as they have with Wade missing a third of the season? The fact that James tends to lift his game to another level in the playoffs? The fact that their first three rounds of the playoff will be in the Eastern Conference. That’s why.
Q: I’m surprised you haven’t focused on the Cavaliers-LeBron comparisons with the current Heat. — Alan.
A: A reasonable point. And with Wade out for so long, there were too many times when LeBron tried to self-will things, resulting in predictable offense and a lack of ball movement. But let’s face it, he signed up to play in a dual-wing alignment with Wade, something they only now can get back to. It will be interesting to see if LeBron can flip the switch in the playoffs, or whether Wade has been out so long that LeBron has grown set in his old ways. The start of the playoffs for the Heat will be a fascinating study in how much continuity (or the lack thereof) from the regular season truly matters.
Q: You see this all the time when you bring a star athlete back. Jameer Nelson (after Courtney Lee played great and Orlando was on a roll) in the NBA Finals against Lakers; Alonzo Mourning (after he was out for almost the entire regular season) replacing Anthony Mason against Charlotte in the playoffs years ago. It ruins the flow. Let Wade come in as the sixth man for a few games in the playoffs. — Stuart.
A: And start who? Toney Douglas? It’s not as if Wade is stepping in for someone who has been a difference maker, as when Zo returned from his kidney illness amid Mason’s All-Star season and all continuity was lost in that first round against Charlotte. The Heat currently have no continuity, so there’s nothing to lose.
April 13, 2014
Q: In his postgame interview, Chris Bosh said March and April have been brutal. He doesn’t seem like a player having fun on the court (his game shows the same) or getting any enjoyment from playing the game right now. I know the games are a grind late in the season, but where is the silver lining? — Stuart.
A: The silver lining is that the slate is wiped clean come next weekend and that the Heat arguably are healthier than at almost any time other this season (if the extra rest truly helped Dwyane Wade’s knees). And for all the concern about late-season slumping, history indicates very little correlation to playoff failure. But one thing I do think will be a concern, and that’s falling behind in a playoff series with an early loss. That’s what this team particularly can’t afford.
Q: I’ll stick to my previous comment: LeBron James holds the ball too much and looks sloppy. With Dwyane Wade back, Erik Spoelstra should reevaluate who should handle the ball at critical moments. Definitely not LeBron. — Alan.
A: I agree that LeBron has been too loose with the ball, and, to be honest, was surprised he had only three turnovers Saturday. I just think LeBron has been playing amid a crisis in confidence in the Heat’s other ballhandlers, with Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole having been so shaky. I think Wade’s return should have a steadying influence, as will the more meaningful stakes of the playoffs.
Q: Chris Bosh is not Ray Allen. Is he now allergic to the paint? The Heat are missing way too many 3-pointers lately. — Chet.
A: Agreed. And when they did get to the line Saturday, they shot a season-worst .474 (9 of 19). This is an attack team that needs to get back to attack mode. The problem with replacing Shane Battier in the starting lineup with Udonis Haslem is there now is a need for another 3-point shooter to space the floor, with Bosh perhaps too willingly stepping up into that role.
April 12, 2014
Q: Ira, I know it’s premature, but the Heat will return number 40 one day, right? — Daniel. Udonis Haslem walked down the proverbial “dark alley” with LeBron James on Friday night against the Pacers. He had LeBron James’s back! — Stuart.
A: I grouped these two together because Friday night in many ways was the essence of Udonis Haslem, and why you can be sure, as long as Pat Riley and Micky Arison are around to have any say about it, that U.D.’s No. 40 will never be worn by another Heat player and eventually will only be found in the rafters at AmericanAirlines Arena. What he has done in recent weeks has provided exactly the type of lift the Heat have needed during these dog days. He was all over the court and all over the floor on Friday night, an integral part of what might have been Roy Hibbert’s darkest hour. And when David West tried to create a moment, Haslem got in the middle of it. It’s a shame he couldn’t get that 1q0th rebound to complete a double-double.
Q: Hi Ira. Has there been any information about the Heat coaching staff preparing to go into the playoffs without Dwyane Wade or Wade in a diminished role? Obviously the offense can’t rely on two dominant players at the wings with consistency anymore. Has Chris Bosh been told he’s the number-two option now or are they still holding out hope for Wade to play the entire playoffs? — Eric.
A: Erik Spoelstra continues to stress everything remains day-to-day with Dwyane, but there has to be concern with a player who has not seen action since March 26 in Indiana. As for Bosh, you don’t tell a player he has to be the number-two option. The player has to step up and impose himself into the game, something that has been an issue with Chris in recent weeks. The reality is that the LeBron James, without Wade alongside, probably cannot carry the Heat to the Finals, even in the watered-down East. The concern meter has to be up when it comes to Dwyane. Until then, you bide your time, as the Heat did Friday.
Q: Greg Oden, if he’s not ready by now, will he ever be? — Tony.
A: I can’t fathom a player who played such minimal minutes and then missed so much time being able to develop any type of rhythm to play at a playoff level. It’s one thing for Dwyane Wade to find his rhythm on the fly; he knows what playoff basketball is all about. But Greg didn’t even truly get the chance to get in regular-season rhythm, let alone play on a stage when the stakes are so elevated and teams shorten their rotations. The exception could be using him for minutes against Joakim Noah, if the Heat meet the Bulls in the postseason, just to wear on Noah for a while.
April 11, 2014
Q: As a huge fan of the Heat, and not just for the winning years, I would like to know why Erik Spoelstra keeps Norris Cole in the game even though he misses layups and turns the ball over in crucial situations? He lost us the Memphis game. He turned the ball over at the end of the first half and allowed the tying basket. Toney Douglas is playing well. Why is he not playing toward the end of the game? Cole has lost us a few games recently. — Joe.
A: I’m not sure that Norris Cole is capable of losing a game on his own, because I’m not sure he ever plays that significant of a role. But he has been erratic, his high motor lately just as likely to get him in trouble as to get the Heat into a higher gear. But I think you’re also overstating Toney Douglas, who largely has played off the ball, and has not shown the ability to hit the type of 3-pointers (save for the Nets game) that Cole previously has converted in big games. All of that said, I do think it’s time to reevaluate Cole’s role. Should Dwyane Wade make it back and Ray Allen stay healthy, it is possible those two absorb his minutes.
Q: What has Michael Beasley done to warrant this treatment from Spo? The guy scores, makes bigs come out to guard him. Spo said he was getting better on D. I don’t get how at least you didn’t play him against Grizzlies. The guy is talented. It makes no sense. — Julio.
A: I always go back to the fact that we don’t see Beasley in practice, so we don’t know what he is, or isn’t, showing there. But I would find it difficult to believe that his blunders could be any worse than some of what Cole or even Mario Chalmers have shown lately. All of that said, Rashard Lewis is the player who has pushed Michael down the rotation, and the reality is that Lewis has played well and earned those minutes.
Q: Is the idea to regain the continuity between Wade and the rest of the starting unit during the first round of the playoffs? — Daniel.
A: No, but it might have to be that way. Remember, Dwyane even took time off during last season’s first round against the Bucks due to his knees, sitting out Game 4, when Mike Miller started. If it’s the Bobcats or Wizards in the first round, the Heat might not be able to ease into anything. They really need the Hawks if they want to lighten Wade’s load.
April 10, 2014
Q: At this point, Miami needs to sit LeBron James and Chris Bosh. Let them find their rhythm during the first round of the playoffs against the Bobcats or Hawks. — Tzaddi.
A: Or now perhaps against the Wizards, who could wind up as a No. 7 seed. But as Erik Spoelstra has continued to stress, none of his team’s absences are because of “resting” players. It’s either because of chronic ailments, such as Dwyane Wade’s and Greg Oden’s knees, or issues of the moment, such as Udonis Haslem’s stomach virus and Chris Andersen’s current soreness. And with a No. 1 seed still in the balance, I’m not sure LeBron or Bosh would settle for sitting. To their credit, they both play to win. To Spoelstra’s credit, he has cut back dramatically on practice and shootaround time. But I also sense that LeBron also is reaching a breaking point, consistently putting up big numbers with limited payoff. At times, it’s as if he’s back in Cleveland, having to do it alone. I think this is a somewhat tenuous crossroads for the Heat and Spoelstra and LeBron. The Heat really need Wade to offer a reminder of what he’s capable of, and sooner rather than later.
Q: Dwyane Wade has missed nearly a third of the season and the Heat still cold have the No. 1 seed in the East. It looks to me like LeBron James is still the MVP! — Dee.
A: Of course, the counter in Oklahoma City would be that Kevin Durant has had to play similar stretches without Russell Westbrook. The difference is that the Thunder have known in advance when Westbrook was going to be out, have had a capable replacement in Reggie Jackson. By contrast, most of Wade’s absences, save for the recent hamstring, have been last-minute decisions, requiring LeBron to adjust on the fly. And unlike the situation in Oklahoma City with the emerging Jackson, LeBron has had to make it work with Toney Douglas and a variety of other Wade stand-ins. To a degree, LeBron has helped compensate for both the absences of Wade and the decision to amnesty Mike Miller. Still, LeBron did all but concede the MVP race to Durant in his pregame comments Wednesday in Memphis.
Q: This is about LeBron. He is the one getting screwed because Wade is always hurt. — Faye.
A: Actually, Spoelstra has done a decent job, by and large, with James’ minutes until this recent stretch, and has cancelled a number of practices and shootarounds to keep LeBron and others fresh. But, yes, of course this is not what LeBron bargained for when he agreed to share the perimeter challenges with Dwyane.
April 9, 2014
Q: Block or foul? — Pep.
A: A block that in the NBA tends to be called a foul in that situation. One of those 50-50 calls that isn’t wrong, either way. But based Mason Plumlee on getting a piece of the ball and no other discernible contact with LeBron James beyond hand-to-hand, a call that certainly should stand up to NBA review. I highly doubt we will see an NBA memo or follow-up video saying the officials miscalled the play. The shock, as even Nets coach Jason Kidd noted, was that the NBA superstar did not get the benefit of the doubt over the NBA rookie. But the Heat also know it should not have come down to that single play.
Q: Does Jason Kidd know something about the Heat that no one else in NBA knows? He was on the Dallas team that came back and beat the Heat in the 2006 NBA Finals. Last year’s Knicks beat the Heat 3-1 in the season series with Kidd on it, and this year’s Nets are 6-0 against the Heat including the preseason. He should be the Zen Master. — Stuart.
A: And none of it, at least from this season, matters. The team the Heat fielded on Tuesday night was not the team the Heat hope to field in a possible playoff series against the Brooklyn. Dwyane Wade has to be part of any championship mix. As simplistic as it sounds, any Heat lineup without Wade is not a true representation of what needs to be in place for a successful championship run. The Heat need Wade to win; Tuesday showed as much.
Q: Chris Bosh has had so many uninspiring, disappointing games this season. It’s hard to believe that he couldn’t out play Plumlee. Do you lay more of this on Bosh or the Heat’s offensive scheme? — Joel.
A: Sometimes I just don’t know where his head is, or perhaps Erik Spoelstra should get him back on the block, which might get Chris’ head back into it. The box score was humbling, LeBron with 29 points and no other Heat player with more than Bosh’s 12. With Chris Andersen clearly not himself, blocked by the rim, itself, on one dunk attempt, the Heat needed far more from Bosh on Tuesday night.
April 8, 2014
Q: Should we be worried about Dwyane Wade being out six games. Or is it just to keep him fresh for playoffs? — Jose.
A: Nothing about this latest Wade absence is planned or intentional, and it’s safe to say there have to be concerns about a player sitting out this long and retaining his conditioning and wind. No, Wade’s hamstring has to be considered a legitimate issue, especially for a player who relies on explosive play. With four games in five nights up next, it will be interesting to see where the Heat spot Wade, who, even if he was fully healthy, likely would have been held out of one or two regardless.
Q: Ira, it seems like the Heat are often using YMCA rules, “Everyone plays; everyone wins.” — Martin.
A: That has been one of the more uplifting stories of these recent games, how players such as Udonis Haslem, James Jones, Rashard Lewis and Toney Douglas have come out of nowhere to make a difference. It is a tribute to true professionalism.
Q: OK, I admit I was wrong when I predicted in ’89 that the first Heat player to be enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame would be Tellis Frank. Congrats Zo! — Howard.
A: Actually, Gary Payton is the first former Heat player to be enshrined, but Alonzo Mourning is the first player to play the majority of his games with the Heat to get the call. Zo’s growth as a person is a remarkable story. To hear him talking as a father during Monday’s conference call was heartwarming. The initial thought about Zo earlier in his career was how many enemies he was making. Now it is a case of enduring friendships, and the emotion of his August moment in Springfield should be profound and overwhelming.
April 7, 2014
Q: Ira, is small ball back? It looks like Udonis Haslem will be the starting center no matter who they play. And Chris Bosh’s 3-pointers can give them the spacing they had with Shane Battier. — Robert.
A: Honestly, I don’t see any other option at this point. They is no way they can reestablish rhythm with Greg Oden in time, especially with a pair of back-to-back sets remaining, and it’s not as if the Heat are about to mess with the chemistry and energy that Chris Andersen delivers off the bench. As bonus, when teams do match small, it presents the option of Battier entering off the bench at power forward. The greatest challenge, amid the ever-shrinking play of Roy Hibbert, could be how to handle Joakim Noah, if they wind up matching up against the Bulls. That might be asking too much of Haslem, with the possibility of Gator-on-Gator crime. A Bulls series could wind up as Oden’s lone chance for playoff redemption.
Q: J.R. Smith set the NBA record for most 3-point attempts in Sunday’s game with 22. Udonis Haslem tied Alonzo Mourning for the most offensive rebounds in Heat history. I like the hustle stat better. — Stuart.
A: It was a nice moment for Haslem, who offered heartfelt reflections about Mourning after the game. While all that time off might have been difficult for Haslem, he certainly has returned with a hope in his step.
Q: How embarrassing would it be for the Heat if they were to lose to the Pacers on April 11? — Rose.
A: Especially if that is the last game the Pacers win this season.
April 6, 2014
Q: Do you have any reason why Norris Cole was playing all the crunch-time minutes in the fourth quarter and in the overtimes on Friday night? The ‘Wolves left him wide open repeatedly and he missed every shot, and he did some awful fouls at the other end. The guy has been in a slump. Why use him in a two-point-guard lineup? I’d rather see James Jones, Rashard Lewis, Shane Battier or Toney Douglas in there. Heck, go big and bring in Birdman or Udonis Haslem. — Adrian.
A: The Timberwolves went small, with J.J. Barea and Ricky Rubio, at the finish, so Erik Spoelstra was limited in his options, with Ray Allen clearly not quick enough to stay with either. And for all that Douglas can do, 3-point shooting has not necessarily been a strength, which is what the Heat needed with the swarming defense against LeBron James. At this point, Cole has banked some long-term faith from Erik Spoelstra. But it is reaching a point where you can question Cole playing 24:29 after halftime on Friday and Douglas 7:56. Of course, if Dwyane Wade was available, the Cole-Douglas debate would have been moot.
Q: I think if the Heat lose Tuesday to the Nets, they should concede. The Wednesday game at Memphis will be a loss. And beating the Wizards in their final road game will be tough. At first, I thought they should go for the number-one seed in the East. But after Friday night’s loss and looking at their remaining schedule, every game (except the 76ers on the final night of the regular season) is going to be a dogfight. I think they should rest LeBron and just concede the top seed to the Pacers. If Wade wants to play a game or two before playoffs, let him play. But having LeBron play 48 minutes is not worth a potential Game 7 against Pacers, who don’t look like they can win a series. — Jeffrey.
A: First, there is no “conceding.” No matter the lineup, you play to win the game. And LeBron’s 47:57 would have been 37:57 if not for the twos OTs, which no one could have forecast (he played all 10 minutes in those). You don’t get close to something this tangible and then walk away from it. I’m not advocating playing Wade in all four games of the upcoming four-game-in-five-nights, but he has to get back on the court some time, and if he plays, he’s going to play to win.
Q: Would the Heat be better off with a Big Two instead of Big Three? Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade always step up their game when the other one is out, and that’s a lot of salary to pay for a third option instead of investing on better depth. — David.
A: I think after this season, with the onerous “repeater” luxury tax about to enter into play, everything will be on the table for the Heat. Actually, figure everything being on the table for LeBron James, with the Heat likely following his wishes when it comes to roster composition.
April 5, 2014
Q: Didn’t they learn their lesson? Chris Bosh takes the last shot in Indiana, not LeBron James. They do it again Friday and Ray Allen takes the last shot. LeBron should take the last shot every time, especially when Wade is out. — Paul.
A: There certainly are concerns about the Heat’s late-game play calls in those all-or-nothing moments. Bosh’s shot was basically a heave off an inbounds opportunity with two seconds to play against the Pacers, and Allen hardly had a decent look at the end Friday. LeBron did appear in position to get the ball near the basket Friday, but Shane Battier went elsewhere. The irony is if they went to Bosh, he already had hit a key late shot, as he did against the Pacers. Lately the Heat have not been up to the moments that can define playoff series. There should be far better looks, looks that at least give the Heat a chance, in those situations.
Q: Ira, you said the Heat would use the last two weeks of the season to get their rotation set. But there are two weeks left, and Dwyane Wade still is out. Is their rotation ever going to be set? — Richard.
A: It doesn’t appear that way, considering that even if Dwyane does come back for Sunday’s game against the Knicks, a set of four games in five nights follows, meaning he probably will wind up missing at least two additional games. The Heat basically will be re-rotating on the fly at the start of the playoffs. The one thing I can’t fathom at this stage is Greg Oden making it back to the starting lineup, if he is part of the playoff rotation, at all. It is a lot easier to reacclimate with Wade than Oden.
Q: While James Jones has continued to shoot the lights out, it’d be a shame if they can’t find playing time for him once Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen are fully healthy. Do you see a role for him on a healthy team? Is his defense that bad? Or could they play LeBron more at the point or the four to open up playing time for him? I have way more confidence in Jones’ shot compared to Norris Cole, Shane Battier, Rashard Lewis or Michael Beasley. — Adrian.
A: I can’t envision the Heat refiguring their rotation for Jones, just as they didn’t after he shot well earlier in the season when Wade was out. And with Lewis’ height, he appears to have the edge in the rotation. Jones will remain a situational option, likely to watch mostly from the end of the bench.
April 4, 2014
Q: Has there been any talk about staying out of the Bulls/Nets bracket? — E.J.
A: First of all, there is no Bulls/Nets bracket, since one likely will finish third in the East and the other will be involved in the opening No. 4 vs. No. 5 series. I just don’t see Toronto at No. 3. So the reality is that you can only dictate so much on your own, with so many moving parts. What you can dictate with the No. 1 seed, however, is guaranteeing homecourt for the first three rounds of the playoffs. All of that said, I would say, in this order, that the teams that create the most difficulty for the Heat in the playoffs are: Indiana, Brooklyn, Chicago and New York. I think the Heat would embrace series against Toronto, Washington, Charlotte or Atlanta, teams that just would be happy to be in the playoffs. (And remember, the NBA does not re-seed in the playoffs, so No. 1, should it advance, faces the winner of No. 4 vs. No. 5, regardless or any other outcomes, just as if No. 2 wins, it would play the winner of No. 3 vs. No. 6.)
Q: Is LeBron James showing signs of being fed up with the Dwyane Wade saga? — Juan.
A: I think it’s more a case of being asked about it so often. He merely is being candid, saying he can’t worry about whether Dwyane is or is not going to be available, but instead has to prepare with those who will be alongside. I think the fact that so many have stepped forward, it makes it easier for LeBron and the Heat to bide time.
Q: Ira, I like Rashard Lewis in the rotation. Is he is taking over the role of Mike Miller? I think we are going to need this guy in the rotation, especially if we face San Antonio again, whose bench is crowded with 3-point shooters. — Roberto.
A: Yet I’m not sure if he plays if everyone is healthy and Ray Allen gets his strength back. That would leave Rashard with the ninth-man role that Michael Beasley/Shane Battier previously had, especially if Udonis Haslem also stays in the rotation. But, then again, Mike also was in that type of role and had his moments, so you never know. What’s encouraging is that Rashard has re-instilled confidence. That is comforting.
April 3, 2014
Q: The Knicks will be swept out in the first round, if they make it there. — Ananth.
A: Look, I’m not overstating New York. But, unlike the Hawks, the Knicks wouldn’t just be glad to be there. And Amare Stoudemire is actually accomplishing things lately, and Tyson Chandler is getting closer to his game, plus Carmelo Anthony has it in him to win a game, or two. The Hawks would be a path of lesser resistance, even if Paul Millsap gets his numbers. But it looks like fate demands another round of Heat-Knicks in the playoffs, which is where the current No. 1-vs.-No. 8 seedings stand. It suddenly doesn’t look as clear of a Heat road to the NBA Finals when the possible path is New York, Brooklyn and then either Chicago or Indiana. Buckle up.
Q: The good thing about using James Jones, Rashard Lewis and Udonis Haslem is they are all rested and have fresh legs. — Martin.
A: Sure, if victories over the Bucks in March and April are the goal. But while fresh legs are good, Dwyane Wade’s and Ray Allen’s legs are better, and they have to be up to speed for the Heat to have any true postseason prospects. This will be a delicate dance for Erik Spoelstra over these final two weeks of the season, but getting Wade and Allen in rhythm with the rest of the rotation players is far more significant than continuing to realize unexpected contributions from the end of the bench.
Q: Congratulations to Alonzo Mourning. I will always remember Game 6 of the 2006 NBA Finals in Dallas. Alonzo refused to let the Miami Heat lose. Also, I remember his class and strength in having to lift Pat Riley’s spirits after another tough lose to the Knicks in the playoffs. And I remember him and Shaquille O’Neal taking Dwayne Wade for car rides at night in June 2006 to keep him focused on the task at hand. Alonzo represents so many of the great qualities we admire in individuals. He started the tradition of the highest standards of Heat basketball. — Stuart.
A: He is a fitting choice as the first Heat player to be inducted, to be followed, down the road by Wade, LeBron James and possibly Chris Bosh, in addition to Shaq. Alonzo’s growth with the Heat was remarkable, as both player and person.
April 2, 2014
Q: Ira, has the Heat’s focus on the Pacers been misplaced? How is that team going to make it through two rounds? They can’t even make it past the Cavs. — Julian.
A: I’ve always thought the notion of “Game 7 against the Pacers” has been misguided. It’s almost as if was taken as a sure thing that the Pacers would make it through their half of the bracket. I don’t know much about odds-making, but I do wonder what the odds would look like, at this moment, for a Pacers series against the Bulls or Nets, even with Indiana holding homecourt. What Erik Spoelstra has stressed is the Heat looking in the mirror, rather than worrying about what’s going on elsewhere. Honestly, I can’t recall a single time that a Heat player has either asked or spoken about a Pacers result this season. I know that hasn’t been the case in the Indiana locker room when it has come to the Heat’s results.
Q: Do you have any clue why Coach Spo isn’t playing Michael Beasley lately, particularly when the Heat have been shorthanded? When he’s played, Beasley has been terrific both on the offensive end and on the defensive end. I don’t get it. Monday night was a prime example: When LeBron James and Chris Bosh were resting, the Heat had a lineup in which Rashard Lewis was ostensibly the featured scorer. Beasley would have been a far better choice for that role. — David.
A: First, I think having both LeBron and Bosh off the floor was a reach with any lineup, when Dwyane Wade has been out. What we’re seeing is a coach who is more comfortable at this stage of the season with Lewis than Beasley. And sometimes that’s all it comes down to, coaching comfort. Rashard has been in playoff-like moments before. Michael? Not so much. In the end, it is likely that the playing time for both will be meager in the most meaningful playoff moments.
Q: If the Heat could pick their first-round opponent, who would it be? — Mike.
A: Well, if this was the D-League playoffs, it would come down to who gets the final spot in the East. If the Knicks get No. 8, I think the Heat would prefer Charlotte over the potential headaches of a series against New York. But if the Hawks or the Cavaliers get No. 8 in the East, I think that would be their choice. Of course, it’s a moot point. They get who they get, and they don’t get upset.
April 1, 2014
Q: Toney Douglas handles the ball with authority. He was plus-10 against the Raptors vs. Norris Cole at minus-nine. And LeBron James showed the confidence to pass to him for that late 3-pointer. Should he be playing ahead of Cole? — L.K.
A: Toney Douglas did Monday night what Rashard Lewis and James Jones previously have done: fill a void at a time of need. But this still comes down to what the Heat do when Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen are in the rotation. While it might be easier to make the argument at the moment for Douglas over Cole, Norris certainly had his moments in last year’s playoffs. I will say this: Toney Douglas has contributed far more than I ever could have fathomed when he was acquired as an add-on in the Joel Anthony salary dump.
Q: What happened to the Pacers? Is it possible the loss of Danny Granger affected this team? Danny Granger was the one shining star on bad Pacers teams after Ron Artest/Stephen Jackson were shipped out of town and before the current version of Paul George/Roy Hibbert/David West. It is as if all the fight in the Pacers left town when Granger left. Maybe it shows the importance of certain guys and the chemistry they create on a team. That doesn’t show up in any of the analytics everyone is excited to follow. — Stuart.
A: Which is perhaps why the Heat held on to Udonis Haslem and didn’t make any moves of desperation at the trading or buyouts deadlines, These Heat players are who we thought they were. By contrast, no one knows what to make of the Pacers at the moment.
Q: Ira, are the Heat done with Greg Oden? Will he ever play again? I can’t see him starting. — Steve.
A: “Done” is a strong word, but so were some of the expectations. Yes, he likely will play again, because there well could be inconsequential games at the close of the regular season. But I think the Heat have moved on, especially with what Haslem has provided. What Oden has achieved is remarkable simply by making it back to the court after four years away. But the door on experimentation is closing. The next step for Oden could be whether he wants to commit to a full offseason with the Heat, to see if he can maximize his possibilities with the team. I think right now, while the back might be an issue, he also is worn down.
March 31, 2014
Q: Why keep Michael Beasley if he isn’t going to play? He’s the fourth-most-talented player on the team. — Faye. Why aren’t the Heat playing Michael Beasley? — Robert. Beasley can’t get minutes over Rashard Lewis, why? — Vlad. (And many more like those).
A: First of all, this isn’t a democracy. Erik Spoelstra plays who he feels most comfortable with. And, let’s face it, Rashard Lewis’ play has been comforting in recent games, plus he has big-game pedigree from his time with the Magic. This isn’t as much about Beasley as about better options. It was telling, however, postgame in Milwaukee, when Spoelstra said of Lewis, “I feel very secure with Rashard in the lineup, because we can play our game. But he’s a pro. He keeps himself ready. He does the things that we need on both ends. He’s a heady defensive player, gets in the right spots, and offensively, he’s very smart. There’s a flow to our game when he’s in there. He certainly hasn’t hurt himself.” While he wasn’t speaking about Beasley, it was clear there is greater comfort with Lewis. And that’s if either winds up playing, anyway, once the regulars return and the rotation again is whole.
Q: Ira, they should give Justin Hamilton some minutes to see what he’s capable of doing. — John
A: Not with Udonis Haslem regaining his way, and with Chris Bosh and Chris Andersen playing well. Justin was brought back with an eye toward the future, which is why the Heat made sure to add a team option for next season with certain guarantee dates. Remember, Greg Oden’s contract is expiring and Birdman can opt out, so the Heat covered themselves in the middle. But I can’t fathom, other than giving players time off late in the season when locked into seeding, Justin getting much in the way of playing time. That is why he was sent to the D-League last weekend for a couple of games of seasoning.
Q: I am not asking this because Evan Turner hit two big shots the other night against the Heat. But why was it OK for the 76ers to basically dump talent at the trading deadline to the point where they are no longer competitive (Spencer Hawes gone and Evan Turner traded for nothing in return because Danny Granger was released) when it wasn’t OK for the Lakers to acquire Chris Paul? Why did the Commissioner step in to prevent the Lakers from becoming a super power and stop New Orleans from destroying their team, when it is OK for the 76ers to liquidate their talent? — Stuart.
A: First of all, the Chris Paul issue came at an awkward time for the NBA, while it was managing the Hornets/Pelicans while searching for new owners. So your argument is somewhat apples to oranges. But the greater point is how tanking teams are impacting the playoff balance, including the actual games, when winning no longer is a priority. The 76ers could yet have a playoff impact, just not for themselves, but rather the teams they will concede victory to, as they battle the Bucks for the top lottery seed.
March 30, 2014
Q: Is it my imagination or has Norris Cole regressed this season? At one time, I thought that if we lost Mario Chalmers to free agency, Cole would just slide into the starting role at point guard and the Heat would sign a veteran as a backup. Now that seems like wishful thinking. Speaking of Chalmers, before he was hurt, he was continuing on his pace of four or five bad games and one good game. It doesn’t seem like he will ever change. — David.
A: It is very possible you will see a dramatically different alignment at point guard next season, with Chalmers to hit free agency this summer. And I agree that Norris’ play has dropped off significantly, including some ugly moments Saturday in Milwaukee, when he shot 2 of 8, outplayed by Toney Douglas. But Norris did save his best for last a year ago, with his strong postseason play and incredible playoff 3-point shooting, so there still might be time to build some front-office confidence. And it’s not as if Douglas is any sort of long-term answer.
Q: Ira, our bench is more than the failed acquisitions of Michael Beasley and Greg Oden, it’s about collective depth. Heat teams have always had solid blue-collar contributors off the bench, but never a stand-out star. Time to hang Beasley and Oden up.– Matt.
A: Based on these past few games, it would not surprise me during the playoffs if there are times when either Oden or Beasley join Justin Hamilton on the inactive list. Oden is severely limited against teams that go small, as Brooklyn has been doing, and Beasley wound up with the same minutes Saturday at Justin Hamilton.
Q: Can we just leave Dwyane Wade out for the rest of this year? This is getting old with him. I wonder if it will affect LeBron James’ decision. — Faye.
A: The only impact Wade will have on LeBron’s decision will be the final impression. If Wade can be Wade during the playoffs, then all will be forgotten. If Dwyane has to miss time during the postseason, as well, then LeBron certainly would have to consider diminishing returns going forward. To a degree, Dwyane saving himself could help save LeBron, if Dwyane can be at his postseason best.
March 29, 2014
Q: The Pacers still have a tough schedule (tougher than the Heat). Do you think the Heat are now conceding number the number-one seed in the East? — Jeffrey.
A: I don’t think the approach changes at all for the Heat. They still will rest players when rest is needed, go all-out when everyone is available. No matter the lineups, I believe the Heat still will play for the best seed possible. But any 50-50 decisions with players’ health will lead to a night off, as has been the case all season. There still are plenty of challenging games left for the Heat against teams involved in playoff races, such as the Raptors, Nets, Wizards, Knicks and Hawks. And that’s a good thing. There is no better way to stay sharp than to play desperate opponents. All of that said, Heat players were well aware in the locker room of the Pacers having lost on Friday against the Wizards. In their view, No. 1 in the East remains possible.
Q: If I am Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra, I put Udonis Haslem back in the starting lineup and run the first few plays of a game on offense for Haslem. If Haslem is hitting his shot, the Heat become unstoppable. If teams have to play him, everything opens up with good spacing for the Heat. —
Stuart.
A: First of all, this is all Erik Spoelstra’s call; Pat Riley doesn’t dictate lineups. But it sure seems, even if Haslem isn’t hitting that shot, that that’s where this is headed, with Haslem in the starting power rotation alongside Chris Bosh. Friday was another step forward for Udonis. Bosh, Haslem and Chris Andersen all have earned time ahead of Greg Oden in the power rotation.
Q: Does this mean that James Jones could be added to the rotation when the Heat are shooting poorly from 3-point land? — Whodie.
A: Yes, in the games when Ray Allen isn’t available, which doesn’t figure to be many. In fact, if Dwyane Wade was available Friday against the Pistons, it is likely Jones wouldn’t have played at all, with Rashard Lewis seemingly now ahead of him in the rotation. Jones remains a comfortable fallback option. The reality is Ray Allen was playing his best ball of the season before this stomach virus.
March 28, 2014
Q: I hate to say it, but the recent slump also coincides with giving Greg Oden more minutes and even starting him. Maybe he can provide some bulk against backup centers, but right now he isn’t a championship-caliber starter. — David
A: You are absolutely correct, and I think deep down Erik Spoelstra knows and recognizes it, as well. From the start, Oden had to be a dominating presence on the defensive end to make this work, considering how he dramatically changes the spacing on the offensive end. And he has not been that, with undersized Udonis Haslem doing far more to leverage Roy Hibbert on Wednesday night than what Oden could accomplish with his lack of mobility. Look, this already has been an incredible story of perseverance to make it back this far. The story is not a failure, just one that needs to be continued at a different time. If this was another time in the NBA, Greg Oden would be a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year. But the award now is Most Improved Player, and Greg Oden is not that. What he is is a study in determination, and for that he should be lauded.
Q: Chris Bosh’s comments sure were bordering on a fine for complaining about officiating, weren’t they? — Moshe.
A: Yes. But the NBA also appreciates that emotions can run high after an emotional game, and that it was not the easiest game to officiate. And for all the grousing from the Heat, keep in mind that in a brutal, knockdown, violent game, the Pacers lost Lance Stephenson for talking and taunting. That might have been the most brutal call of them all. A delay-of-game for the second technical would have been the justifiable way out.
Q: The difference between Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and LeBron James is that on the last play Wednesday night, Jordan would have taken the ball and gone for the game winner. Kobe the same. They would have overruled Phil Jackson! — Stuart.
A: And LeBron has done that plenty of times, too. But Chris Bosh has been really good in those situations this season. The difference is that if Spoelstra wanted Bosh getting his bread-and-butter shot, then they should have run some misdirection with LeBron and screened for Bosh, so he could set his feet and gather, rather than going for two passes off a side-out with two seconds left. Live and learn.
March 27, 2014
Q: With Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers playing horrible, no Ray Allen, taking away a 3-pointer from Dwyane Wade, not calling the flagrant fouls on the blows to LeBron James, I feel very well. — Leo.
A: Then, at least for the moment, you stand alone. Heat players felt Wednesday’s game in Indiana was one that got away for far more than that. They had a late lead and couldn’t hold it. Through all that might have gone wrong, they still felt they had it. And then they couldn’t close. And that’s something a championship team has to be able to do. That’s why LeBron and Bosh were so sullen afterward. There simply won’t be many opportunities for quality statement games the remainder of the season, save, perhaps for the game in Memphis and the visit by Indiana. This was moment they allowed to get away.
Q: Greg Oden was the question and Udonis Haslem was the answer on Wednesday night. — Chris.
A: I’m not sure there are any “answers” when you lose, but there now is a huge question mark with Oden, who simply wasn’t up to the moment he was added for. Even before the game, Erik Spoelstra tried to backtrack on the expectations, saying Greg wasn’t signed as a “Hibbert stopper.” Then, after the game, Spoelstra spoke of how Oden played well in his limited minutes. At the moment, it appears Oden’s stock is as down as Haslem’s stock is up.
Q: Ira, will Rashard Lewis continue to get minutes the rest of the year? I don’t understand Spoelstra, why he was so in love with Michael Beasley. — Mark.
A: I doubt Beasley would agree with your characterization, considering the erratic minutes he has endured, even when playing well at times. I just think Erik has been cycling through as many combinations as possible, to see what works, what doesn’t. I am surprised that Rashard was pushed so far down the rotation, considering there were positive results when he was on the court earlier in the season and then again on Wednesday. But Spoelstra does have a way of cycling back through players, as evidenced by the reemergence of Haslem. Still, once you re-inject Ray Allen into the mix, the minutes will be limited. The real loser in the equation might be Shane Battier. Of course, with the Heat, it’s all cyclical, seemingly.
March 26, 2014