Q: What do the Heat do when Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo are back? Then it’s going to look a lot like last year. – Terry.
A: What they are going to do is be better. This team needs Tyler Herro’s 3-point spacing, needs another 3-point threat when Norman Powell isn’t on the court. And the Heat need Bam Adebayo’s rebounding and defense, with it apparent how those facets lack when he is not available. As for adjustments in system, you can’t call a coach a savant when he moves to a different system, without believing he also is capable of making adjustments when necessary. What Wednesday night showed is that regardless of the opposing players, opposing coaches will counter-scheme, including with plenty of zone defense. It’s not as if 7-5 is the be-all, end-all when it comes to the standings. If this team wants to maintain the good vibes, it will require adjusting as needed. Having Herro and Adebayo back in the mix would ease such adjustments, if only because of pedigree.
Q: Why does Erik Spoelstra see fit to rip Nikola Jovic? Keep it private, man. – Theo.
A: Erik Spoelstra offered his critique of Nikola Jovic before Wednesday night’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers only because he first was asked. And even then, he also cited the elements that can make Nikola special. Sometimes you have to push buttons, especially when a player has been up and down. And with that, another down night on Wednesday for Jovic. What the Heat need more than anything from Nikola is consistency. So far this season, there has been none.
Q: Udonis Haslem exposed our offense when Bam Adebayo and Norman Powell were in Los Angeles. Now with Friday night’s game on Prime, is he going to give away more trade secrets? – Anderson.
A: Oh, please, it’s not as if opponents don’t have advance scouts at every game, charting every set and every play. If opponents are catching on to the Heat’s offense, it’s not because Bam Adebayo and Norm Powell walked through the sets in a Los Angeles studio two weeks ago. The reality is that Udonis Haslem has had the Heat playbook for years and we have yet to see him revealing what you term “trade secrets.” Instead, he has proven adept at simplifying the basics of the game for the average fan to appreciate. He is very good at what he does on Prime, just as he was on ESPN.