Q: Ira, I wasn’t surprised when you said Giannis Antetokounmpo was questionable Tuesday. I thought it made sense to get him healthy. So why press it with his wrist sprain? – Chris.
A: There likely were multiple factors in play, including, ultimately, desperation. First, Giannis Antetokounmpo was not happy how the Bucks held him out at the end of last season, against his will, to improve their lottery odds. Since then, he has vowed to be as available as possible, and for more than the 65-game minimum requirement to again be award eligible. Further, at 4-6 entering Tuesday night and 2-2 on their western swing entering the trip’s finale Tuesday night against the Jazz, a win was particularly meaningful for the Heat. Beyond that, for most of the night the Heat needed Antetokounmpo as their only reliable source of offense. But it also was interesting how the Heat had Keshad Johnson active for the first time this season on his two-way contract, perhaps in hopes of minimizing Giannis’ minutes. Also, with the Heat idle until Friday night against the Cavaliers, there was an awareness of time to heal on the other side. It would have been interesting if Giannis didn’t play in regards to the lineup, especially in the wake of the shift of Andrew Wiggins to the bench. It turns out, Erik Spoelstra said he would have started Nikola Jovic in his place (wanting to keep Bobby Portis Jr. in his role as sixth man).
Q: Ira, we always hear how it’s about getting ready for the playoffs. My question is are we ready for the homestand? There’s a lot of talent coming into our house and I’m not sure we’ve shown we can match up? – Harvey.
A: And just like the playoffs, you don’t know until you know. Yes, the Heat’s victories to this point hardly have been works of art, against shorthanded teams like the Pacers and Jazz, with the opposing rosters in those games more closely resembling G League rosters. And it’s not as if the Hawks or Kings are close to what the Heat next face. But maybe that’s what this roster needs at the moment, a jolt of what it will take to beat the likes of the Cavaliers, Pistons, Rockets and Thunder. And if the Heat can find a way, it would go a long way toward stabilizing and erasing the early-season doubts. If? That part we’re about to find out. Because if the Heat can’t find a way to a few home wins over this five-game homestand, the climb will become that much more treacherous and the doubts that much more legitimate.
Q: Ira, Giannis Antetokounmpo seems to shoot better on mid-range jump shots than he does on foul shots. Maybe he should take jump shots on foul shots like Hal Greer did. – Joel, Plantation.
A: Which, of course, also offers insight into the age of my readership. Greer, a 10-time All-Star died at 81 in 2018, having last played in 1973. But, yes, he was a career .801 from the foul line, so there is that.