Q: Erik Spoelstra will need to be a bit careful with today’s NBA players, even as we talk Heat Culture. The game has changed, the players have changed. The Pat Riley era is coming to an end. Spo is older now and dealing with a lot of young egos. Tuning him out with early losses is a possibility. – Douglas.
A: “Tuning out” typically occurs when there is an anti-coach faction in the locker room. That was a case with some of the complementary talent at the end of the Big Three era, and certainly was the case last season with Jimmy Butler. This appears to be a roster under Erik Spoelstra where all have bought in and are continuing to buy in. And that will matter in light of a particularly challenging early-season schedule. As it is, Spoelstra called out Kel’el Ware during summer league, and Ware then stepped up during summer league. Spoelstra then called out Ware on Monday night, and Ware responded on Wednesday night. In that regard, the coach’s voice still packs a punch.
Q: Ira, so glad Erik Spoelstra put a small smackdown to Kel’el Ware. He’s seen firsthand how Hassan Whiteside looked like a stud on the stat sheet but failed to impact winning on a consistent basis. Fans see the talent, but all too often his leisurely jogs up and down the floor is not going to cut it. We also saw him at times running full speed beating his man to the box or getting into position early to prevent an easy bucket. He can flat out run if/when he wants to and now he knows he has to. Whether his motor/drive is of that persuasion, we will soon find out. He’s been called out and now we will see. – Brian, Fort Lauderdale.
A: And so we saw on Wednesday night, with minutes with meaning and statistics with substance. Kel’el Ware wants to succeed, but it will be interesting to see what his idea is of success. This is not a player who talks about awards or statistical goals or even insisting on being a starter. The best players are driven. So now we want to see if Kel’el can be a best player. Wednesday night was heartening.
Q: Ira, in your Ask Ira comments, you continue to mention about the crowd at the wing position. In my opinion, Nikola Jokic has the highest ceiling on this roster. As their best creator, he should be playing on the wing and should be playing at least 30 minutes per game once the season starts. Erik Spoelstra is forcing a round peg into a square hole and it’s frustrating for Jokic and the fanbase. Let the kid play. Please don’t come back at me with Tyler Herro, because Herro is unable to play the end of games because he can’t defend anyone. Trade Herro, save the money (a player that can’t stay on court at the end of games is not worth it) and roll with Jovic and whoever you pick up in Herro trade. Your thoughts? – Brian, Boca Raton.
A: Or roll with both. The Heat hardly are in position to be making either/or decisions with talent, when the overall talent base hardly is overwhelming. There is no reason Nikola Jovic and Tyler Herro can’t successfully coexist. And the proposed up-tempo style could benefit both. There even is a case to be made for Nikola at center in a speed unit, when halfcourt players such as Kel’el Ware, Andrew Wiggins and even Bam are on the bench. So let’s move past where you positionally want to cast Nikola on the depth chart, and instead consider how he needs to complement what is on the roster (and how what is on the roster has to complement Nikola).