Q: I said this after the Orlando game, no more sneaking up on teams. The Heat is looked at now as a good team with a very aggressive playing style, so good and bad (Sacramento) teams are coming ready to play fast, up-tempo basketball. – Douglas.
A: And yet it also is unfair to judge when Tyler Herro, Davion Mitchell and Pelle Larsson are sidelined, as was the case in Saturday night’s loss to the Kings. In fact, if anything, the loss to Sacramento crystallized how essential Davion is as an engine for both the offense and the defense. Still, recall the Grizzlies also tried to go as up-tempo at the start of last season until the league caught on and then Memphis fizzled. When you lose four of five, then, as Erik Spoelstra might say, everything should be on the table. At the moment, questions about the Heat’s depth seem reasonable, with the absences of regulars perhaps taking more of a toll than expected. In Davion’s absence, it became clear just how much he means to the direction and focus and fervor.
Q: Ira, I know it’s not best for Tyler Herro, but now that he is not eligible for All-NBA it should make his extension easier for the Heat. Now they don’t have to worry about supermax or anything close. – Enzo.
A: Yes, now the playing field has been somewhat set, or reset, with the upward limitation on a Tyler Herro extension in place once that extension window opens again on July 1. Tyler spoke of being amenable to less than the max, but it seemed as if the Heat from the start were prioritizing a waiting game. And remember, Tyler not only is under contract for this season, but next season, as well. Still, if he misses extended time with the toe, it certainly could impact the Heat’s long-term perspective. By failing to qualify for award eligibility, Tyler next summer will be eligible for a four-year, $206.9 million extension. Had he remained award eligible and made at least third-team All-NBA, he would have been eligible for five years, $380 million. Neither of those maximum annual averages likely ever were in play, and certainly not now. From the start, as Tyler previously acknowledged, it has been about compromise. The next question is whether absences will compromise his standing in those negotiations.
Q: Do they make steel-toed sneakers? – David, Venice.
A: Yes, it does seem like the toes are getting in the way for the Heat, first Bam Adebayo missing two weeks and six games with his toe sprain and now Tyler Herro needing a Saturday MRI for his toe contusion, both involving left big toes, no less. And as trite as your suggestion might come off, you do have to wonder. It would seem with everyone eager to jump into the sneaker game perhaps an Air Ironman steel-toed high top.