Q: Ira, maybe have Kel’el Ware on the floor for rebounds at the end of games? This is not rocket science my friend. Kel’el = Rebounds. — Archie.
A: Often overlooked in this discussion is that you cannot simply send players in and out of games during closing time, with the NBA having greatly reduced the number of stoppages for timeouts in the final minutes. What you need are your most complete players at the time. Perhaps Kel’el grows into that, but you can’t have someone on the floor you don’t trust in all facets of those times. Again, it comes down to whether you are in win mode or developmental mode. But, yes, there certainly were moments at the end against Toronto where you could’ve seen that one more defensive rebound could have made all the difference. In the case of the loss to the Raptors, it’s hard to disagree with your take, particularly considering Kel’el’s rebounds-per-minute performance in that game (13 in 19:20).
Q: OK Mr. Smarty-pants, you said the game against Toronto wasn’t a must win. What about the one against Brooklyn? — Matt.
A: Now this one, I would have to agree. The key to any hopes of avoiding the play-in is to win those against the bottom-of-the-conference-teams such as Washington, Brooklyn, Indiana and what they have already done twice against Charlotte. In a more-competitive-than-expected Eastern Conference, you can’t let any of those get away. That certainly would be the case Thursday night in Brooklyn.
Q: Another MRI for Tyler Herro? Enough already, Ira. — Wes.
A: Nothing brings out quite the good cheer at this time of season as a losing streak. And yet, for all the frustration of Tyler Herro dealing with ongoing ailments, the reality is that even if you wanted to make a trade, you would have to show potential suitors that he remains a value player who can stay on the court. At the moment, it is quite the conundrum for the Heat, on multiple levels.