Q: I always thought that your best players play the most minutes? Pelle Larsson leads the team in minutes played the last five games. Pelle Larsson, Not Bam Adebayo. Not Tyler Herro, Not Andrew Wiggins. Not Norman Powell. Not Davion Mitchell, Not Jaime Jaquez Jr. – Roy, Miami.
A: And much of that has been Erik Spoelstra both starting Pelle Larsson but then also cycling him back in with the reserves. So Pelle basically stands as the lone component with both units. Such is the value of a connector. And there is something to be said for that, because it’s not as if he takes shot attempts from others. For example, while Pelle has averaged a team-high 34.1 minutes over the past five games (next highest is Bam Adebayo at 31.4), Pelle stands only seventh on the team over those five games in shot attempts, at 8.0, that’s below the 15.4 of Bam, the 15.2 of Tyler Herro, the 12.0 of Norman Powell, the 11.2 of Jaime Jaquez Jr., the 10.8 of Andrew Wiggins and even the 9.8 of Kel’el Ware. Sometimes there is something to be said for someone who maximizes his time while also knowing his place.
Q: I’ll ask you straight up, do you really believe either Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro are true franchise cornerstones or max players? And if you do, can you please help us fans to understand that, because the results and stat lines sure don’t support it. Thanks. – Brian, Miami Shores.
A: No, and have not said otherwise. Bam Adebayo does not have the offensive arsenal and Tyler Herro’s defensive issues preclude that. Also consider that in the 30-team NBA, little more than a handful or two of teams have such players. But also don’t confuse the contract issue. At some point, every team winds up somewhat overpaying to keep their talent, in order to augment. The Heat, at times, might have stars, but, no, they don’t have superstars. At the moment, you probably would put Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham in that class, with times that you also could consider near that group players such as Anthony Edwards, Kawhi Leonard, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell and Jaylen Brown. A cornerstone is a player who is considered an All-Star every season. Bam hasn’t been that. Tyler hasn’t been that. Norman Powell hasn’t been that. But also understand that at least 20 other teams are searching, with it still not certain, or proven, that the likes of Cunningham, Brunson, Mitchell and Edwards are capable of leading the way to a title. So in that regard, the Heat are hardly alone.
Q: A realistic goal is to fight for the 6th seed and play every game like Saturday night and what happens, happens. – Tom.
A: Which basically is what it comes down to, which is doing the best to control your own destiny. If the Heat more often can look like they did against the Rockets than they did in Milwaukee and Philadelphia, then hope can be elevated (except for those who insist on the lottery).