Q: We are undersized at every position. Even Kel’el Ware needs to bulk up to avoid being pushed around by the bigs in the league. I cringe every time an opposing player reaches over our players to get an offensive rebound. We also need someone to get us offensive rebounds. Is it time to blow up this team and look for players with more length and athleticism? – Jay, Weston.
A: Well, length and athleticism never hurt. But, yes, smaller ball comes with limitations. The lack of bulk on the Heat roster certainly adds to the challenges. When the Heat were whipping the ball, having five players on the move on offense, it was a matter of leaning into quickness and speed. Now that that element of their game has been muted, the lack of bulk becomes further evident. For years, the Heat have featured stocky power forwards able to throw their weight around. Where have you gone Anthony Mason, Brian Grant, P.J. Tucker?
Q: Ira, for a number of years Bam Adebayo has been one of the better defensive bigs, not so this season. On a number of occasions. on switches players have been going at Bam and scoring. Just wondering if his relationship with Aj’a Wilson is affecting his focus on offense and defense. – Joel, Plantation.
A: First, Bam Adebayo still has been putting up quality defensive numbers, based on a variety of metrics. Second, this is silly, or at least relative to real-life realities where players have relationships, wives, children, ill relatives. In other words, life. Bam Adebayo and A’ja Wilson have acknowledged a relationship that dates to the 2021 Paris Olympics. Bam has had some really good times during that timeline, including the 2023 NBA Finals. Sometimes players are up, sometimes down. This also is why some prefer to keep the private private, to avoid such speculation.
Q: You didn’t listen the two times we said the Raptors games were must-win. What about now with Atlanta? – Sid.
A: The difference is this is a road game. But considering the Hawks are 5-9 at home, you might not be that far off. Psychologically, it’s never a great place to be when you see the record fall below .500