Q: Is Erik Spoelstra’s Achilles heel playing two traditional 6-9-plus bigs? It dates back to the Big 3 and leaning heavily on Chris Bosh at the 5 with a smallball 4 to failing to ever make the Bosh-plus-Hassan Whiteside pairing work to the bubble that saw the Heat persist with Jae Crowder or Andre Iguodala playing power forward, later P.J. Tucker. We see failure once again to be able to make any lineup that uses any two of Kel’el Ware, Bam Adebayo or Nikola Jovic work well. – Rodney, Davie.
A: Or do you play your best players? That basically has stood at the crux of the approach. In all of the combinations you mention, it’s not as if you are talking two All-Stars. At the moment, something smaller at power forward seemingly works best, with the metrics not good when Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware are on the court together. But I will meet you halfway: The Heat have to find a way to get Ware on the court for more than 16 to 18 minutes per game. It doesn’t have to be at starting time or closing time, but it has to happen somewhere over the 48 minutes.
Q: Smallball can only work with a player like Pelle Larsson starting and playing substantial minutes. I always felt him and Davion Mitchell could’ve been like Bruce Brown and Christian Braun during the Denver championship season. – Swann.
A: Yes, mixing in gritty supporting players has long been part of the Heat’s approach. But the reason you cite worked for the Nuggets is the ability to also utilize an MVP talent such as Nikola Jokic and a star-level player in Jamal Murray. That is the element this iteration of the Heat lacks. So a lot in support. But in support of who?
Q: Ira, you stated that Tyler Herro is not necessarily a given in the starting rotation when he returns from injury. Are you saying, gulp, that the Heat explore a trade for Tyler? A defensive power forward would be a nice addition, don’t you think? – Barry, Deerfield Beach.
A: What I tried to express is that the Heat no longer can necessarily count on Tyler as a starter. But you also don’t trade when value is down. So Tyler will have to work his way back in whatever role is available, and the Heat will have to try to rebuild Tyler’s value. As it is. The Heat already have an open roster spot and room under the tax to add another player, be it a defensive-minded power forward or otherwise.