Q: The Heat have a Pelle Larsson problem, they can’t sit the kid. It’s going to be interesting when Tyler Herro gets back and Andrew Wiggins returns. But man, that kid is something. – Elliott.
A: All he does is win, win, win no matter what. And Pelle Larsson isn’t going anywhere when it comes to the Heat rotation. Now, whether he remains a starter is another question. But you can’t put that type of energy aside. In many ways, Pelle is the embodiment of the Heat’s relentless style. He makes every lineup better, and has proven to be a quality two-way contributor. The reality also is that rarely is any rotation whole in the NBA, as the Heat have shown in recent games. So there assuredly will be plenty of opportunity to plug and play Pelle in a variety of positions, from one through four. In the end, he well could wind up taking minutes from Nikola Jovic.
Q: Ira, today’s Miami Heat team reminds me of the Miami Heat team right before the Shaquille O’Neal trade, the lineup with Caron Butler, Dwyane Wade and Lamar Odom. I always wondered how good that team could have been if they had stayed together. I feel the same way about today’s Miami Heat team – a young team overall with so much upside. Do you get the same feeling? – K-Mon.
A: I do, but remember that it was because so much talent was collected and then mined from that roster that the Heat were able to make the ensuing trade for Shaquille O’Neal. So for as much hope as has been displayed to this point with this roster, it’s not as if this franchise has been known to stand pat. Now, if there’s a whale, there’s a way.
Q: The Heat have plenty of depth at point guard for Kasparas Jakucionis to take as much time as needed, honestly. – Nick.
A: Actually a case could be made for having too much depth at point guard considering there is a chance when Tyler Herro returns that Davion Mitchell could move to the second unit. In that case, the Heat also will have to find minutes for Dru Smith. So,yes, at least in the short term, the seasoning for Kasparas Jakucionis in the G League will continue to make sense, with it likely taking a Heat injury to alter that calculus.