Q: I think a bigger deal needs to be made regarding the rookie play of Kasparas Jakucionis in the loss to Boston. That was an impressive showing for such a raw talent in his very first NBA game. His NBA future looks bright. – An.
A: Actually, it was his third game, with his first appearance earlier this season less than a minute in mop-up duty and his second a brief first-half stint in Thursday night’s victory in Brooklyn. But, yes, Friday night in Boston was eye opening. And that also leads to this question: What does Erik Spoelstra do with so many guards? Granted, it seems like at least one or two are always out, as again was the case in Boston. But with Norman Powell, Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro, Dru Smith and, now, Kasparas Jakucionis, something has to give, especially when you consider that Pelle Larsson and Jaime Jaquez Jr. also play in guard-like roles. Plus, to be candid, two-way player Myron Gardner also had his moments on Friday night in Boston. You do have to wonder what all of this might mean for Tyler going forward.
Q: If we are fortunate enough to land Giannis Antetokounmpo in a trade, what do you see the offensive strategy looking like? The up-tempo running style that we used at the beginning of the season or the slower half court offense? – Barry, Deerfield Beach.
A: I’ll defer on that and instead respond with a question: If Giannis Antetokounmpo definitively decides to seek greener pastures than Milwaukee in terms of title contention, then what about a team in play-in position stands as particularly appealing? At the moment, the Heat are just another team. If the Giannis scuttlebutt is true, then one would think it incumbent on the Heat to show they are more than Play-In 4.0 (as in being in the play-in the past three seasons and looking like it at the moment, as well).
Q: Ira, like I have stated before, It boggles my mind how BS injuries pop up. It used to be you had a starting five that played 35 to 40 minutes. Then a bench of four. The Heat in the last three or four years have not had a set lineup that lasts. Someone is always hurt. And this pace stuff is just this year. Adam Silver and the players association need to do something. It’s killing my fandom. – Roy, Miami.
A: And there is an answer: No more back-to-backs and a 60-game schedule. And it’s not happening. Money talks, even if players can’t walk.