Q: Ira, I read that the Heat can add two players by Thursday. We’re starting Myron Gardner for goodness sake. Why not move now? – Elliot.
A: Um, you mean the Myron Gardner who closed with eight points and 10 rebounds in Wednesday night’s victory in New Orleans, the player who energized when energy was needed? But, yes, the Heat would have the space below the highly punitive luxury tax to add two players (provided Terry Rozier is waived) on NBA-minimum contracts for the balance of the season as of Thursday. And, yes, it is hard to make any argument against such moves when you are going into a game such as Wednesday night without Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Pelle Larsson and Andrew Wiggins. For a team teetering in play-in range, it’s not as if every game doesn’t matter. Granted, when healthy, even some rotation types aren’t seeing action. But teams since last month have been allowed to sign players to 10-day contracts, so the means have been there for a while. That’s not to take anything away from Myron Gardner, with plenty of two-way players contributing this season across the NBA. But, I agree, why not position your team as best as possible? Or, then again, use some of that roster space to convert Myron to a standard deal and add another two-way player before that March 4 deadline.
Q: Ira, I understand that Bam Adebayo has been a talking point in this space because of his contract and offense, but let’s also give him credit for showing up. I know that sounds small, but Tyler Herro has missed almost the entire season, Norman Powell has missed so many games that something would be said if not Tyler missing more. And then no Andrew Wiggins or Pelle Larsson on Wednesday night. – Lance.
A: It is something, isn’t it, that mere attendance has become a source of praise in today’s NBA? But you are correct that Bam has pushed through as much as anyone to get to the court this season, once he got past his toe sprain earlier this season. Still, the reality is that here we sit at the All-Star break, still with no idea of what this team looks like, certainly with just a scant read on the Tyler Herro-Norman Powell pairing. Does it work? Who knows? As for Bam Adebayo, Wednesday said all that needed to be said, with his 27 points and 13 of 17 from the line. He was relentless when the Heat needed relentless.
Q: Simone Fontecchio has become Erik Spoelstra’s latest teacher’s pet. – Sanderson.
A: Wouldn’t go that far. with Simone Fontecchio tending to get the call when there aren’t many others to get the call, such as with Wednesday night’s starting lineup. As for Simone closing on Wednesday night, that likely was more of a case of knowing the Pelicans were going to shoot threes and needing someone to defend on the wing.