Q: Many Heat fans around me believe Pat Riley has done a poor job when it comes to player contract extensions. That sentiment has grown especially loud this season after Nikola Jovi\u0107 signed an early extension but has underperformed badly. \u2013 Hubbie, Miami.<\/p>\n
A: There is no avoiding that the Nikola Jovic four-year, $62.4 million extension is not looking particularly good at the moment, considering he can\u2019t get on the court in the most important games of the season. (OK, it\u2019s looking pretty terrible, albeit also not kicking in until next season.) But such is the risk-reward of attempting to get ahead of the game in such matters before cost increases. That said, the Heat has shown increased prudence of late\u00a0 by bypassing extension windows with Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, and could (should?) be tracking that way with this summer\u2019s window for Jaime Jaquez Jr. At this point the focus should be on someone to surround with talent, and only then addressing the contracts of such supporting talent. Still, Herro showed at the end Monday night<\/a> against the 76ers how much he can matter. As, for that matter, did Jaquez.<\/p>\n Q:\u00a0 I really hope management does whatever they can to put a contender around Bam Adebayo, while still in his prime years. If he doesn\u2019t at least get a chance for a \u2018chip, it\u2019ll be a damned shame.\u00a0 \u2013 Cheryl, Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n A: There has been considerable debate recently in this regard, that somehow Bam Adebayo finds himself stuck in some type of no-win situation. Another way to look at it is the Heat have well compensated Bam for the challenge ahead with the three-year, $166 million extension that kicks in next season. A leading man is supposed to lead, be the fulcrum. Debate Bam\u2019s stardom or salary, if you choose, but the Heat have taken care of him on the dotted line, which says plenty.<\/p>\n Q: Is a playoff path through Detroit and Cleveland not preferable to one through New York and Boston? I\u2019ll gladly take the No.\u00a0 8 seed. \u2013 Camden, Austin, Texas.<\/p>\n