Ex-GMs avaliam Marlins & # 39; opções de comércio | Miami Herald.
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Barry Jackson traz para você as últimas novidades e novidades do mundo esportivo do sul da Flórida.
Barry Jackson
Ex-GMs avaliam as opções de comércio da Marlins.
Por Barry Jackson
07 de outubro de 2017 22: 20h.
Com o grupo de proprietários Bruce Sherman / Derek Jeter Marlins esperado para cortar a folha de pagamento, solicitamos a participação de dois ex-gerentes gerais (ex-Nationals GM Jim Bowden e ex-Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd) sobre o que alguns de seus melhores jogadores poderiam comandar. comércios:
• Outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. Ele deve receber US $ 25 milhões na próxima temporada e entre US $ 25 milhões e US $ 32 milhões em cada um dos próximos dez.
Ele tem uma cláusula de não-comércio (mas espera-se que renuncie se for negociado com um candidato) e tem um opt-out após 2020, que parece improvável de ser exercido a menos que seja extraordinário em 2019.
Os Marlins acreditam que terão um pretendente agressivo neste inverno (os Gigantes) e provavelmente outros, como os Cardeais.
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“Acho que eles encontrarão alguém que assumirá a maior parte do contrato; Eu odeio dizer tudo porque em cada negociação, você tem que pagar um pouco ”, disse Bowden, que trabalha para a rádio Sirius XM. “Existem equipes de mercado grandes o suficiente para tirar a maior parte.
“A grande questão é se ele renunciará ao seu não comércio? Eu não posso vê-lo renunciando ao seu comércio para ir para a Filadélfia. Por pior que seja San Francisco, por que ir lá e não vencer? Eu olho para os Dodgers e eles têm muito dinheiro saindo de seus livros. Talvez os anjos. Mas os Anjos e Gigantes têm sistemas agrícolas finos, então o que os Marlins receberiam de volta desses dois?
“Você deve conseguir um pacote de três boas perspectivas para ele. Se você é o Marlins, você não está obtendo o mesmo valor se o outro time estiver "pagando a maior parte do contrato.
Bowden disse que “com os Dodgers, o que eu acho que seria justo seria o outfielder Yasiel Puig e uma perspectiva de nível intermediário e uma perspectiva de arremesso de alto nível, mas não seu top top [duas perspectivas de arremesso]. Puig é um Gold Glover este ano, seria um favorito em um mercado como Miami. Puig, Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna seria bom campo externo. ”
O’Dowd diz: “A Filadélfia é o único clube com recursos financeiros para o comércio de Stanton, mas não tenho certeza se ele aceitaria um negócio lá. Ele traria de volta perspectivas de ponta, porque ele é único. Talvez você tenha jogadores da liga principal de volta para Stanton, mas isso seria bastante difícil de fazer. ”
• Outfielder Marcell Ozuna. Elegível para livre agência depois de 2019. É elegível para a arbitragem neste inverno e deve comandar muito mais nos próximos dois anos do que seu salário de US $ 3,5 milhões em 2017.
"Você teria um retorno melhor para Ozuna do que Stanton, porque não precisa se preocupar com a questão do dinheiro", disse Bowden. "Além disso, ele não pode controlar seu destino [porque ele não tem cláusula de não-comércio]. As equipes se alinhariam para Ozuna. Haveria uma guerra de lances aberta. Uma guerra de lances abertos leva você a mais do que uma guerra fechada. Ele é um ótimo jogador. ”
• Outfielder Christian Yelich. Tem um contrato muito razoável, no valor de US $ 7 milhões, US $ 9,7 milhões, US $ 12,5 milhões, US $ 14 milhões e US $ 15 milhões (opção de equipe) nos próximos cinco anos.
Bowden: “Você parece um time como os Royals; eles terão dinheiro para gastar, mas talvez não consigam gastar o que seus próprios morcegos livres irão comandar, incluindo Eric Hosmer. “Há pessoas que querem que Yelich tenha um melhor ângulo de lançamento. Ele poderia ganhar um título de rebatedor algum dia. Ainda é um jogador de estrelas. Você teria um grande retorno para ele, sem dúvida.
O’Dowd: “De todos os seus jogadores, eu diria que Yelich é o número 1 em valor comercial. [Catcher] J. T. O Realmuto também teria uma tonelada de jogo. ”
• Terceiro jogador de base, Martin Prado. Vai ser muito difícil de negociar, porque ele é devido $ 13,5 e $ 15 milhões nas próximas duas temporadas, bateu 0,250, é 33 e perdeu todos, mas 37 jogos devido a lesão nesta temporada.
“Não comercializável; você teria que comer o dinheiro para trocá-lo ”, disse Bowden. "É melhor você jogar metade do ano e trocá-lo no prazo da negociação quando ele tiver algum valor".
• Segundo base Dee Gordon. Ele deve ganhar US $ 10,5 milhões, US $ 13 milhões e US $ 13,5 milhões nas próximas três temporadas, com uma opção de clube de US $ 14 milhões (ou US $ 1 milhão) em 2021.
“É um contrato negociável; ele tem um grande valor ", disse Bowden. “Ele está na conversa com Yelich. Veja o recorde de filhotes com Dexter Fowler, começando no ano passado e neste ano sem um batedor. Dee Gordon é um criador de diferença. Ele seria para os filhotes. Quantos rebatedores de protótipos estão lá? Ele é um grande defensor, pode liderar a liga em bases roubadas. ”
O'Dowd discorda: “Eu não acho que você receberá uma tonelada para Gordon por causa do contrato. Se você olhar para o jogo como um todo, sua porcentagem na base é [apenas] OK. A não ser que o Dee seja aquele .320 rebatedor ou mais, esse contrato não parece bom.
Ele bateu 0,308 nesta temporada e levou beisebol com 60 roubos de bola.
• Dan Straily: Jogou muito bem nesta temporada (10-9, 4.26 ERA) e tem valor porque está sob controle de equipe durante a temporada de 2020. Arbitragem elegível e receberá um aumento de US $ 552.000.
Bowden disse que ele estaria aberto a negociar com ele e se ele fosse o Marlins ele faria o tipo exato de troca que os Reds fizeram com os Marlins no inverno passado - Straily por arriscar o prospecto Luis Castillo (que estava 3-7 com um 3,12 para os Vermelhos e impressionou a todos).
"Você gostaria de fazer o comércio Castillo em sentido inverso", disse Bowden. “Se os Reds fizeram isso, por que os Marlins não podem [neste inverno]? Eu quero sucesso a longo prazo, então meu objetivo é construir uma rotação inicial que vença a longo prazo e eu pegue qualquer um desses ativos e os transforme em uma rotação futura.
"Então, eu não acho que há alguém que você possa dizer que não vai negociar. Você tem que ouvir alguém. Se você é desafiado economicamente como eles são, você está procurando por jogadores controláveis e baratos que ainda não são elegíveis para arbitragem. ”
• Impossível de negociar: Wei Yin-Chen, com 18 milhões, 20 milhões e 22 milhões de dólares nas próximas três temporadas, e Edinson Volquez, que deve receber US $ 13 milhões na próxima temporada, mas pode perder todos os 2018 depois da cirurgia de Tommy John.
• Muito difícil de negociar: os defensores Junichi Tazawa (5,69 ERA e $ 7 milhões na próxima temporada no ano final do contrato) ou Brad Ziegler (melhor quando necessário para chegar mais perto no final da temporada, mas devido a $ 9 milhões no final do ano) em 2018).
"Esses salários, se você não os tivesse em seus livros, pagariam por Yelich e Ozuna", disse Bowden. "Esse é o absurdo" de dar esses contratos no inverno passado.
• Embora parecesse surpreendente se os Marlins comercializassem Realmuto ou Justin Bour - ambos ainda são muito baratos - não pode ser descartado se os Marlins conseguirem múltiplas perspectivas para ambos.
É altamente improvável que Miami troque Kyle Barraclough ou José Urena.
Derek Dietrich ainda é muito acessível e pode ser necessário como regular se um outfielder for negociado, embora Don Mattingly goste mais dele como um substituto que joga muito. O'Dowd tinha algumas outras coisas interessantes para dizer que iremos publicar em uma coluna nas próximas semanas.
Opções de comércio do Miami Heat prestes a expandir | Miami Herald.
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Barry Jackson
Opções de comércio do Miami Heat para expandir.
Por Barry Jackson
06 de dezembro de 2016 07:00.
Oito jogadores do Heat se tornarão elegíveis na próxima quinta-feira (15 de dezembro), o início de um interessante processo de dois meses no qual o Heat provavelmente passará de potencialmente $ 23,6 milhões em espaço disponível, dependendo de quando a franquia escolher solte Chris Bosh e comece o processo de removê-lo de seu boné.
Alguns pontos a ter em mente:
• Enquanto o Heat sabe que precisa de uma infusão de talentos, haverá paciência. Não é urgente fazer movimentos a partir da próxima semana, nem urgência de começar a perder salário também.
O Heat gostaria de ver este elenco saudável no próximo mês (antes do prazo de 23 de fevereiro) e Miami não vai colocar em risco os US $ 39 milhões a US $ 43 milhões no espaço da tampa adicionando jogadores sob contrato além desta temporada - - a menos que o jogador tenha adicionado uma partida de alta qualidade.
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Pat Riley fala sobre o futuro de Udonis Haslem com o Heat.
Riley diz que Adebayo o lembra de Shawn Kemp.
Os golfinhos treinam Adam Gase nas práticas mais curtas da equipe.
Suh: Ainda tenho muito trabalho pela frente.
Dolphins OC Clyde Christensen no progresso de Mike Pouncey.
Mark Richt, treinador da Universidade de Miami, discute as performances de primavera dos quarterbacks dos furacões.
O presidente do Miami Heat, Pat Riley, fala sobre o "duro verão" da equipe, a saída de Dwyane Wade e o status de saúde de Chris Bosh. Logan Riely lriely @ miamiherald.
O dia 15 de dezembro é o primeiro dia em que as equipes podem trocar a maioria dos jogadores que assinaram como agentes livres durante a offseason. Para o Heat, isso significa que esses oito se tornarão elegíveis ao comércio: Hassan Whiteside (US $ 22 milhões), Wayne Ellington (US $ 6 milhões), Derrick Williams (US $ 4,6 milhões), Udonis Haslem (US $ 4 milhões), James Johnson (US $ 4 milhões), Dion Os garçons (US $ 2,9 milhões), Willie Reid (US $ 874 mil) e Rodney McGruder (US $ 874 mil).
Um nono jogador, Tyler Johnson, torna-se elegível para ser negociado em 15 de janeiro, mas pode vetar qualquer negociação até o final da temporada, como observou Albert Nahmad. Johnson está ganhando US $ 5,6 milhões no primeiro ano de um contrato de quatro anos e US $ 50 milhões. Todos os outros jogadores do Heat já são elegíveis ao comércio.
• A não ser que Pat Riley consiga Blake Griffin ou Gordon Hayward na agência livre no próximo verão - ou trepasse com Steph Curry, Kevin Durant ou Chris Paul - ele provavelmente não encontrará um agente livre de 2017 que levará sua franquia à disputa séria. .
Mais videos.
Os garçons falam sobre assinar novamente com o Heat.
O treinador-adjunto Chris Quinn analisa a performance de 29 pontos de Bam Adebayo.
Pat Riley: James Johnson é um armador, "pode melhorar"
Pat Riley fala sobre Dion Waiters.
Pat Riley fala sobre o futuro de Udonis Haslem com o Heat.
Riley diz que Adebayo o lembra de Shawn Kemp.
Os golfinhos treinam Adam Gase nas práticas mais curtas da equipe.
Suh: Ainda tenho muito trabalho pela frente.
Dolphins OC Clyde Christensen no progresso de Mike Pouncey.
Mark Richt, treinador da Universidade de Miami, discute as performances de primavera dos quarterbacks dos furacões.
Tyler Johnson, enquanto participava de um evento com Josh Richardson em Bucky Dent Park em Mon, 25 de julho de 2016, disse que ficou chocado com o Heat que correspondeu ao acordo de quatro anos de US $ 50 milhões oferecido pelo Brooklyn Nets. Manny Navarro mnavarro @ miamiherald.
Riley se destacou na negociação por alguns destaques, às vezes descontentes (Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Hardaway e Goran Dragic), e tem vencido contratos e jovens jogadores para conseguir isso novamente se o jogador certo estiver disponível.
Mas do ponto de vista do Heat, não há nenhum jogador de perímetro disponível considerado o ajuste ideal em uma negociação. Apesar de Phoenix poder disponibilizar o guarda Brandon Knight antes do prazo final, Miami não está inclinada a persegui-lo neste momento.
Histórias relacionadas do Miami Herald.
Anthony marca 35 e Knicks supera Heat.
A situação de lesão do calor vai de mal a muito, muito pior.
Os centros Greg Monroe e Nerlens Noel foram cogitados sobre rumores, mas isso seria uma duplicação de posições, a menos que o Heat acredite que o 6-11 Noel (duas tentativas de três pontos) funcionaria efetivamente ao lado de Whiteside.
O pequeno atacante Rudy Gay, do Sacramento, há muito tempo é considerado disponível, mas o Heat sempre pode contratá-lo em uma agência livre; ele ama Miami, disse um amigo.
Omri Casspi, do Kings, um jogador de bancada, tem permissão para procurar um negócio, mas está atirando 29,4 por cento em três e com uma média de 5,1 pontos; o Heat já tem Ellington para esse papel.
• De acordo com uma fonte ligada à Bosh, a mentalidade no momento é que ele está mais propenso a tentar um retorno na próxima temporada do que nesta temporada.
O Heat eventualmente precisa de clareza sobre isso, porque se Miami passar pelo processo de remoção de seu salário em fevereiro (não pode acontecer antes de 9 de fevereiro) em vez de, digamos, abril, isso deixaria Miami em risco se Bosh fizer uma retorno em outra parte nesta temporada, porque seu salário seria voltar para o boné do Heat se ele joga 25 jogos com outro time (temporada regular e / ou playoffs).
Se o Heat está confortável que Bosh não vai tentar voltar nesta temporada, ele provavelmente expurgaria Bosh de seu limite - dependendo da decisão de um médico independente - antes do prazo de 23 de fevereiro, liberando US $ 23,6 milhões no espaço. nesta temporada (que não é proporcional, disse o especialista em bonés Larry Coon). Isso significa que Miami não precisaria negociar dinheiro similar para adquirir um jogador que ganhasse substancialmente mais.
• Riley disse a David Aldridge, da NBA, que ele gostaria de dois primeiros rounders. Isso afetaria o espaço da tampa de aquecimento, que poderia variar de US $ 39 milhões ou mais para US $ 43 milhões (sem Bosh na tampa) - dependendo de onde os rascunhos de calor. O espaço para o boné diminuiria mais se Ellington continuar jogando bem e Miami fizer sua opção de 6,3 milhões de dólares - o que não é muito provável, mas é possível se ele tiver uma ótima temporada.
Dealing Dragic (devido $ 17 milhões na próxima temporada) para uma escolha iria adicionar um espaço considerável.
• Se o Heat não conseguir agarrar um dos agentes livres de calibre máximo acima mencionados (um grupo que também poderia incluir Kyle Lowry), o próximo nível de agentes livres inclui Taj Gibson, Danilo Gallinari, Jeff Teague, Gay, JJ Redick e Zach Randolph. , Derrick Rose, Serge Ibaka e Pau Gasol.
Para o meu outro post na noite de terça-feira, atualizando a terrível situação do Heat e o divertido comentário de Erik Spoelstra sobre Phil Jackson, clique aqui.
Lista de compras do Miami Heat da NBA em 2015
Seja para produzir ou para jogadores, você não deveria fazer compras com o estômago vazio.
Isso (reconhecidamente) torturou os gestos de construção na direção do problema que o Miami Heat tem quando considera possíveis negociações com prazo final em fevereiro.
Com o armário vazio, há muitas direções em que eles poderiam entrar - poucos dos quais seriam úteis para as aspirações de longo alcance da franquia de retornar, rapidamente, à disputa.
O que é útil para o Heat, porém, é que essa é uma organização que está incomumente e refrescantemente focada em grandes metas.
Pat Riley e companhia já voltaram sua atenção firmemente e completamente para a classe de 2016 de agente livre, onde Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard e um grupo de outras estrelas e estrelas próximas poderiam ser encontrados.
"Pat Riley colocou tudo em 2016", disse o repórter do Heat, Ira Winderman, a uma rádio da CBS. “O ano de 2016 é como o de 2010. Ele vai se sentar, lidar com os resultados e aproveitar o grande impulso.”
Assim, o Heat não irá, ao que parece, fazer qualquer coisa para comprometer a sala de boné que preservou para a ronda da época em 2016-17. Isso impõe uma restrição óbvia à capacidade da equipe de fazer compras neste inverno, mas pode ser útil. Limitações podem ser esclarecedoras.
Embora o Heat tenha um punhado de cargos de necessidade, essa não é a maneira correta de pensar nas transações que eles podem fazer no próximo mês.
O projeto Heat neste momento é, ou deveria ser, mais sobre limpar espaço adicional para este verão e 2016, enquanto - idealmente - pousar um pedaço ou dois que podem permanecer por muito tempo e ser um membro do próximo campeão do Heat.
Então, quais movimentos Miami poderia fazer? Vários, na verdade. Vamos dar uma olhada em três, listadas pelas apostas da jogada. Um ligeiro ajuste, uma transação chamativa e uma bomba.
Luol Deng tem sido bom em Miami, o que significa que há uma boa chance de o Heat seguir em frente. O atacante sudanês assinou um contrato de dois anos, no valor de $ 20 milhões com o Heat, depois que LeBron James deixou a cidade, e uma temporada de 2013-14 para Deng o deixou sem opções de contrato a longo prazo.
Mas ele entrou na conversa com o prazo final de seu tiroteio estelar - sua 57.4 verdadeira porcentagem de arremessos é uma alta na carreira - e uma defesa sólida.
Os Grizzlies já perguntaram sobre o atacante e, embora Miami os tenha rejeitado, é provável que mais ofertas aconteçam.
Uma equipe que faz um pouco de sentido como parceiro comercial é o Los Angeles Lakers. Os Lakers há muito tempo anseiam por Deng, e eles têm um retorno potencial razoavelmente forte em Jordan Hill.
Em Hill, o Heat ganharia um rebounder dinâmico, que iria percorrer um longo caminho para resolver seu problema de recuperação de longa data. Por BoxScoreGeeks, ele calcula a média de dois rebotes por jogo melhor que o centro médio por 48 minutos. Ele também foi aproximadamente duas vezes mais produtivo que a média de 5 nas três temporadas anteriores.
Há também o seguinte: enquanto Deng tem uma opção de jogador por US $ 10 milhões em 2015-16, Hill tem uma opção de equipe de US $ 9 milhões. The Heat poderia dar uma olhada em Hill e potencialmente trazê-lo de volta, ou recusar a opção de liberar mais dinheiro para possivelmente correr contra Jimmy Butler ou Kawhi Leonard neste verão. Hill lhes dá flexibilidade e certeza de que Deng não.
Esse movimento não mudaria nada, mas seria um passo incremental na direção certa. Equipes inteligentes levam isso.
Michael Carter-Williams é um jogador de basquete estranho.
Ele não pode jogar uma lambida ainda - 100 jogos em sua carreira profissional, sua porcentagem de golos é 39,8 - mas ele possui um conjunto de habilidades incomum e valioso. Ele corre o chão como uma gazela, se recupera e tem instintos raros e visão da corte.
Aos 6'6 ”, o armador tem tempo suficiente para colocar os braços nas pistas de passe dos adversários. Ele está cheio de potencial, o que irrompe periodicamente em linhas de estatísticas como, digamos, a bomba de 18/16/10 que ele caiu no Dallas Mavericks em 29 de novembro. Há muita coisa lá.
E, no entanto, a Filadélfia está disposta a movê-lo. Este seria um comércio difícil de facilitar - em parte porque Miami é desprovida de ambos os picks e talentos de alto escalão que os Sixers parecem desejosos -, mas o MCW potencialmente resolveria o problema espinhoso de Miami no momento, ao mesmo tempo em que daria à equipe uma alta nível de experiência para experimentar no sistema de Spoelstra.
Um negócio para obter Carter-Williams seria complexo, e impediria a possibilidade do acordo de Deng acima mencionado. Mas o acordo de três equipes a seguir está de acordo com a NBA Trade Machine da ESPN.
Aquisição de calor: Michael Carter-Williams e Steve Nash Sixers adquirem: Julius Randle Lakers adquire: K. J. McDaniels, Shabazz Napier e Luol Deng.
É um tiro no escuro que os Lakers desistem de Randle tão cedo, mas eles estão obtendo um retorno razoavelmente forte para um jogador que muitos avaliadores têm preocupações. E o Heat possivelmente terá sua guarda do futuro.
Vamos aprofundar isso em uma peça na próxima semana, mas Chris Bosh não é um investimento inteligente para o Miami Heat no momento. Um time em posição de Miami - um que está a dois anos de distância da disputa - tem pouco uso para um grande homem de 31 anos prestes a ser em um contrato monstruoso que não se recupera.
Mas o Washington Wizards poderia. O Wiz está à beira da disputa no leste fraco, e é um jogador de impacto que não pode ganhar agora.
Bosh, por todas as suas responsabilidades, é um especialista em criar espaçamentos ofensivos, um forte defensor de perímetro e tem um pouco de experiência em empurrar equipes cravejadas de estrelas para o topo. Ele é altruísta o suficiente para ser o que os magos precisam que ele seja.
O Heat, enquanto isso, de acordo com a Trade Machine da ESPN, poderia pousar Nene e Otto Porter. Nene estaria no mercado para fazer os salários se alinharem - e seu contrato se esgota, convenientemente, logo antes do verão de 2016, quando o Heat está preparado para fazer um respingo.
Porter, enquanto isso, lutou para encontrar o pé na NBA, mas o jogador de 21 anos ainda está a apenas 20 meses de ser o terceiro jogador selecionado no draft da NBA de 2013. O Heat pode encontrar alguma coisa lá.
E eles também podem ter a chance de usar sua própria seleção de rascunho. Miami tem uma escolha na primeira rodada que deve a Philly, via Cleveland, se escolher entre 11 e 30 pontos. Mas se terminar entre os 10 melhores, a escolha é de Miami.
Isso incentiva um trabalho de tanque rápido e fácil no final da temporada para reabastecer os esgotados cofres de calor com mais jovens talentos. Mover-se de Bosh não seria um movimento popular, mas pode ser o caminho certo.
PERGUNTE: É hora de Erik Spoelstra ferir alguns sentimentos?
Goran Dragic no Heat no intervalo All-Star.
Goran Dragic no Heat no intervalo All-Star.
Q: Com o retorno de Dwyane Wade, foi dito que os minutos seriam reduzidos para outros jogadores. Na minha opinião, esses minutos chegaram às custas de Justise Winslow. Antes do retorno de Wade, Winslow efetivamente atuou como o armador reserva, mas esse ponto foi delegado a Wade. Então, onde isso deixa Justise? - Ji.
R: Aqui está o que tem que acontecer agora: Por mais que tenha sido feito sobre a profundidade de talento do Heat, você só pode jogar tantos jogadores. E, mais importante, você tem que jogá-los nas posições que lhes permitem ter sucesso. O que o Heat precisa sair da quebra All-Star é isso. . . todas as apostas estão encerradas. Jogue os jogadores que marcam as caixas corretas, e se isso significa ferir os sentimentos, que assim seja. Se isso significa que não há Winslow, então não seja pego em potencial ou pedigree de rascunho; salve isso por mais um dia. Se Dwyane Wade não se encaixa no estilo de um determinado jogo, então ele não joga nada; mesmo que isso signifique uma decisão difícil com um ícone de franquia. Se Hassan Whiteside e Bam Adebayo estiverem jogando bem, e proporcionando o rebote necessário, jogue ambos, mesmo que isso signifique curto-circuito em minutos; isso é o que um treinador faz, é encontrar uma maneira de fazer funcionar. Sim, poderia haver perguntas sobre humilhar um jogador, talvez até deixá-lo envergonhado. E daí? Isso foi além disso. Este. Equipe. Não podes. Proporcionar. Para. Senhorita. Jogos decisivos. Se a primeira rodada para o Suns se transformar em uma loteria (protegida para o Heat apenas através do número 7), então toda a razão para esta temporada se torna fumaça. Quando o Heat reagrupa após a quebra All-Star, as sensações do jogador têm que ser retiradas da equação. Os melhores jogadores, os melhores ajustes, os melhores colaboradores jogam. Todo mundo? Lide com isso. Erik Spoelstra não precisa de amigos. Ele precisa de vitórias.
P: Algo está terrivelmente errado com esse time. Muitos colapsos do terceiro trimestre. Esta equipe não parece estar preparada para jogar após o intervalo. São jogadores ou treinadores? Não podemos continuar dançando em torno desse problema. Gregory.
R: São jogadores emocionalmente fracos, que leva apenas 3 ou 2 pontos para que a confiança diminua e depois desapareça. Uma coisa é lutar por trás, sem perder nada, como o Heat fez na segunda metade da temporada passada. Outra é manter uma posição de força em meio à adversidade. Talvez esta lista simplesmente não tenha a mente forte. Estamos prestes a descobrir sobre esses jogos restantes.
Q: Justise Winslow está matando o time. Mesmo no ano passado. Quando ele estava fora na última temporada e nesta temporada, nossa equipe está bem acima de .500. -- PM.
A: Chegou ao ponto de ir além de um tamanho de amostra limite. Será interessante ver o que acontece quando a conversa sobre as jogadas vencedoras não se traduz em jogos vencedores.
P: Eu vejo Erik Spoelstra começando Justise Winslow para levá-lo alguns minutos, porque se Bam Adebayo começar, Winslow mal iria jogar, com Dwyane Wade sendo o armador reserva. Espero que Justise aproveite isso. Omar.
A: O que faz você se perguntar qual será o papel de Justise quando Kelly Olynyk voltar. Antes da ausência de Olynyk, Winslow serviu como o principal ballhandler quando Goran Dragic estava fora. Eu suponho que Erik Spoelstra vai quebrar uma planilha e reformular durante o intervalo All-Star. Claro, não há garantia de quando o Olynyk retornará. E se Winslow pode jogar como uma ameaça de 3 pontos de confiança, então pode ser James Johnson que o potencial é espremido, muito menos Luke Babbitt. Johnson, no entanto, teve um pouco de revival terça-feira, pelo menos no primeiro semestre. E isso nem entra no retorno iminente de Rodney McGruder. Olynyk faria a atual rotação 10 profunda, com McGruder fazendo 11, o que parece um pouco incontrolável. Por um lado, você ainda quer tentar maximizar as possibilidades do Winslow. Por outro lado, a partir de uma perspectiva de avaliação, pode ser que o Heat já saiba o que eles têm.
Q: Parece que o Heat desiste mais pontos na campainha. Por exemplo, aquele tiro de Kyle Lowry no final do primeiro tempo acabou sendo a diferença no jogo. Isso é especialmente frustrante com tantos jogos de Heat chegando a uma ou duas posses. - Jorge, Tampa.
R: Como o Heat declara seu sucesso na defesa e, até certo ponto, diminui o ritmo, eles raramente adotam a abordagem dois por um no final dos trimestres. Lowry, em contraste, "andou com o cachorro" por um 3-pointer no final do segundo período, com tempo suficiente no meio para obter o segundo 3-ponteiro. Esse foi um balanço de seis pontos bem ali. Eu não entendo porque o calor declinar para jogar pela mesma matemática.
P: Eu sou australiano e mais que feliz que Goran Dragic tenha recebido o All-Star por cima de Ben Simmons. Aquele cara no parlamento é um constrangimento e não tem ideia. Não deixe isso te derrubar, Dragon. Nós te amamos Down Under. Nathan.
A: Tenho um monte deles de muitos na ou da Austrália. Quando você chega a isso, quem não gosta de Goran Dragic? (E depois do que aconteceu no EuroBasket, quem não gosta de basquete esloveno?) Se não fosse por Goran na noite de terça-feira, não teria sido um jogo em Toronto. Ele fez quase todo o trabalho pesado para o Heat, que define um All-Star.
Q: Caos vai sair quando Dion Waiters retorna no próximo ano. Como você resolve este problema? Jim, Miami.
R: Isso é um monte de suposições, começando com uma que Dwyane Wade continuará jogando na próxima temporada aos 37 anos. Além disso, você está assumindo que Dion Waiters estará de volta para o início da próxima temporada, com seu cronograma após a cirurgia ainda não claro. Depois, há a composição da lista de calor em si, com um rascunho, agência livre e período de negociação offseason intervindo. Aliás, ainda não sabemos se o Heat tem os recursos para assinar novamente com Wayne Ellington ou como eles se sentiriam em relação ao imposto de luxo para atingir tal objetivo. Por enquanto, o único objetivo é estar nos playoffs, então a primeira rodada do Suns, do trade de Goran Dragic, não se transforma em uma seleção de loteria para Phoenix.
Q: Brandon Jennings para o Heat funcionaria. O que você acha. Ele disse que faria um contrato de 10 dias. Charles.
R: Mas mesmo isso exigiria a abertura de uma lista, que o Heat atualmente não tem. Então você cortaria Jordan Mickey, ou, ousaria dizer, Udonis Haslem, para abrir uma vaga para Jennings? Por enquanto, Dwyane Wade aparece como o armador reserva. Para mim, a maior preocupação é um armador substituto que pode defender os guardas de pontos adversários da frota, uma tarefa que Wade parece estar além. Um argumento poderia ser feito de que o Heat já tem tal candidato em seu pipeline em Briante Weber, mas, novamente, isso exigiria a abertura de um local da lista. Por enquanto, eu esperaria que Wade fosse o armador de segurança quando a ofensa fosse necessária, com Justise Winslow possivelmente assumindo esse papel na defensiva, quando possível.
P: Independentemente de onde o Heat acabe nesta temporada, apesar de querermos jogar o maior tempo possível, os fãs de Heat já venceram esta temporada com Dwyane Wade em Miami. LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, Wade e tais ícones de esportes não aparecem com frequência. Desfrute de todos os jogos porque, Dwyane Wade tratou os fãs de basquete inacreditável ao longo dos anos. Nos anos anteriores, você sairia da arena dizendo: 'Acabei de ver Wade fazer isso?' Ele tornou o impossível possível. Essa mensagem é poderosa. Stuart.
R: Mas a mensagem não pode continuar sendo de nostalgia. Isso foi divertido e bom para o retorno de sexta-feira contra os Bucks. Mas há uma temporada a ser disputada, jogos a serem vencidos, um playoff a ser alcançado. Esses três todos têm que ser as prioridades sobre uma dose noturna de nostalgia. Eu me pergunto se isso colocará Erik Spoelstra em uma situação difícil.
P: Essa abordagem de dois centros é altamente situacional, certo? Não consigo imaginá-lo por longos períodos contra escalações pequenas e rápidas. Daniel.
R: Para mim, isso se resume ao alcance da defesa perimetral de Bam Adebayo. Se ele é capaz de defender quatros e até mesmo lidar com pequenos atacantes maiores (atrevo-me a mencionar LeBron James?), Então há poucas razões para mantê-lo fora da quadra. Como Pat Riley mencionou da abordagem de Erik Spoelstra, posição-less é sobre o lado ofensivo do chão. Você ainda precisa ser capaz de explicar todas as responsabilidades defensivas necessárias. O problema é que acredito que Bam também seja capaz de lidar com as tarefas defensivas do perímetro também. Quem sabe, talvez ele surja como a aberração não-grega do Heat? A partida de terça-feira contra o Raptors, em Toronto, é um exemplo interessante: por que não começar Adebayo contra Serge Ibaka e Hassan Whiteside contra Jones Valanciunas? Eu não tenho certeza se o Heat é necessariamente vendido no Justise Winslow como sua força inicial para frente daqui para frente.
P: O que você acha que o papel de Luke Babbitt vai continuar? Fiquei surpreso ao ver Justise Winslow começando no poder para frente e pensei com Kelly Olynyk agora que Erik Spoelstra teria começado Luke. - Darryl, Fitzgerald, Ga.
R: O Heat subiu nove vezes sem Babbitt na vitória de sexta-feira sobre o Bucks, e isso foi com Kelly Olynyk não disponível. Então, Babbitt significa que alguém que tenha sido um jogador de rotação estaria fora, porque você simplesmente não pode se aprofundar regularmente. No final, com um custo tão escasso (com Okaro White já lesionado), Babbitt pode acabar sendo apenas proteção contra lesões, seja por uma ausência prolongada de Olynyk, seja Justise Winslow ou James Johnson. Mas também pode ser que James Johnson esteja oficialmente no relógio quando se trata de voltar a algo mais próximo da forma da temporada passada.
Q: Eu me sinto mal por Josh McRoberts. Houve um grande potencial com o Heat. Espero que ele fique e permaneça saudável. Bruce.
R: Dois fatores azedaram o mandato de Josh McRoberts com o Heat. Em primeiro lugar, foram os ferimentos. Ele quase nunca estava certo. Mas o segundo fator foi perder de vista que ele foi trazido para espaçar o chão como um trecho quatro. Em vez disso, é quase como se ele fosse tão envolvido em ser um organizador de jogo que perdeu de vista a cesta sendo seu amigo. Eu quase me pergunto se a melhor opção poderia ser uma redefinição de carreira em Charlotte, onde Steve Clifford maximizou seu jogo.
P: Ira, agora que fomos inesperadamente capazes de trazer Dwyane Wade de volta ao prazo de troca, você ainda acredita que faz sentido para o Heat perseguir outro armador veterano que sai de uma compra entre hoje e 1 de março, se nada else as a possible insurance policy? If so, whose roster spot would likely be taken? -- Mike, North Miami Beach.
A: Those require separate answers. First, this is where the recent five-game losing streak hurts. Had the Heat been able to remain in contention for third in the East, at least poised for potential homecourt in the first round, I think they would have been a far more attractive destination. For example, there is a reason the Rockets proved so enticing to Joe Johnson and Brandon Wright -- the likelihood of competing deep into the playoffs. I'm not sure the Heat are poised to offer that at the moment. As for the Heat opening a roster spot, usage would suggest Udonis Haslem's spot. But there is no way, after bringing back Dwyane Wade, that Haslem is going anyway (as if he was already). So what you have to ask with any buyout candidate is this: Would/could he do more for the Heat than Jordan Mickey? Ultimately, that would appear to be the only disposable roster spot, and I'm not sure I would necessarily classify it as that.
Q: Ira, it seems that the offseason will be interesting when it comes to signing Dwyane Wade. The Heat would appear to have a fair amount of leverage in future discussions, no? -- Jason.
A: With Dwyane telling NBA TV that this will be his final NBA stop, it seemed like a concession of minimum salary going forward. The last thing the Heat need is to have to consider spending their mid-level exception or any other exception on Wade, with this roster still with enough question marks. I also would think that any agreement would have to be on the year-by-year plan. But this is all getting ahead of ourselves, without first seeing how this next two months play out. Dwyane has now earned in excess of $180 million just in NBA salary. I would find it hard to believe that money could be a factor going forward.
Q: Ira, isn't Dwyane Wade's return to the Heat the most surprising, astonishing, strangest thing that you have had to cover over the 30 years of writing about Heat basketball? -- Masoud, Tucson.
A: No, that was LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh coming together with the Heat during 2010 free agency. You could almost see this coming, with the way the Cavaliers had struggled. Even LeBron's Heat departure in 2014 was somewhat foreshadowed. That 2010 offseason was one of the most stunning in NBA history -- just ask Dan Gilbert.
Q: The Heat may have too much depth, and it could be an issue moving forward. When Kelly Olynyk and Rodney McGruder come back, we will have 11 guys (maybe 12 if Luke Babbitt joins the rotation) that need to get minutes. How are guys supposed to get into a rhythm when there are so many mouths to feed? This may be detrimental to the development of our young guys, especially Justise Winslow. -- Kyle.
A: First, that is a good problem to have, one Erik Spoelstra will have plenty of time to sort out during the impending All-Star break, which is one of the benefits of the new, early NBA trading deadline. And, as I've writing in this space recently, this season is beyond development. This is about getting into the playoffs and potentially making noise in the playoffs. I think you will see Spoelstra moving to more of a matchup rotation, potentially different reserves against different opponents, beyond the core players. Friday was the perfect example of a big lineup working against the Bucks' height, allowing Hassan Whiteside and Bam Adebayo to play in tandem. In other games, it might require a host of athletic wings. And now, with McGruder, Winslow even James Johnson and Josh Richardson, you can field late-game defensive lineups. It will all work as long as there is an across-the-board buy-in when it comes to everyone accepting being part of an ensemble. To me the questions are not about the rest of this season, but rather what happens when Dion Waiters is adding to the mix if Dwyane Wade stays around. For now, victory has to be the collective priority. On a roster still lacking in star power compared to so many other East contenders, this still will require multiple contributions, similar to what the Heat received Friday night.
Q: Ira, guess you were right, we needed a backup point guard. Obviously Dwyane Wade isn't really a point guard, but a little of his veteran play making went a long way Friday. He may not be the Wade of old, but a veteran with his championship confidence is exactly what this team needed. -- John.
A: But I'm still not sure it answers the question of how to defend the fleetest of point guards, such as John Wall, or others that Wade, at his age, still could struggle against. I still believe in those situations you still will see Josh Richardson or Justise Winslow as the defensive options. But I do see Wade as being able to settle the offense as a playmaker. As with the above answer, I believe so much will be situational going forward.
Q: Any idea how long Kelly Olynyk will be out? Until after the All-Star break you think? -- Josh.
A: The Heat, as is their way, are not offering anything beyond day-to-day updates. But I think you're on the right track, since after these next two games, on Tuesday in Toronto and Wednesday in Philadelphia, there is a nine-day break. In fact, during that intervening period also could be when Rodney McGruder will return. So I certainly could see Erik Spoelstra utilizing that as a re-starting point. Or perhaps it's more than something minor, since the Heat did go out with their move for Luke Babbitt.
Q: Ira, don't get me wrong, I love Dwyane Wade. But this is not 2006 Dwyane Wade or even Big Three Dwyane Wade. Is this, and Luke Babbitt, enough to get the Heat into a high playoff seed? -- Donald.
A: First, I'm not sure a high playoff seed is necessarily in the cards, considering how much stronger the Cavaliers got at the trading deadline and where the Celtics and Raptors stand. At this point, it's just about making the playoffs and making sure that the June first-rounder due to the Suns from the Goran Dragic trade doesn't turn into a lottery pick (it's only protected for the first seven selections). It will be interesting to see where the Heat go from here, considering they not only still hold a $5.5 million salary-cap exception from Dion Waiters' season-ending ankle surgery, but also their unused mid-level exception. The problem is the Heat also have run out of roster spots to the point where they don't even have one for Derrick Jones Jr., with the NBA days on his two-way contract dwindling. With Dwyane Wade taking the A. J. Hammons roster spot, the Heat would have to get creative to bring in another player. It is possible they could open the Jordan Mickey spot, but I could not fathom them waiving Udonis Haslem. But there are several intriguing possibilities expected to come free on the buyout market, with some dealt players already waived. So this might not be over yet -- if the Heat opt to create roster flexibility.
Q: Ira, so, does this flurry of trade activity and the nearing return of Rodney McGruder mean the heat will roll out the Goran Dragic-Rodney McGruder-Luke Babbitt-Hassan Whiteside starting four from last year? The starting rotations have not inspired confidence recently, and that pairing did well over a reasonable sample size. -- Darius.
A: From that standpoint, you sub in Dwyane Wade for Dion Waiters and you basically have what you had for much of the second half of last season. But this is about far more than the starting lineup. This is about who gets shoved aside. Assuming a return to health of Kelly Olynyk and Wayne Ellington, by adding in Dwyane Wade and Luke Babbitt, your basically squeezing someone else. So is that Tyler Johnson? Is it Justise Winslow? Is it James Johnson? Does it mean again reducing Ellington to a specialist? More is not necessarily always better. For Erik Spoelstra, the work only now begins.
Q: Does this mean there is a chance for LeBron James next? -- Len.
A: No, it does not. If anything, this was a divorce, of sorts, between the two, with LeBron prioritizing winning in Cleveland over playing time for his friend with the Cavaliers. For all of the options that LeBron James has going forward, I would think trying to make it work with this revised mix in Cleveland or exploring the opportunities with the Lakers would be the priorities. What the Wade move could do is bring Chris Bosh back into the fold in some potential manner, obviously not as a player, but perhaps to be back around Wade and Udonis Haslem.
Q: It doesn't matter who they're playing. This team is bad, with a lot of average players with bad contracts. Pat Riley needs to make a big trade and build for the future. -- Brandon.
A: But it does matter who the Heat are playing, because they clearly are not, at this stage, built to beat teams such as the Rockets, nor should a victory on Wednesday night against Houston have been expected. The maximum upside of this roster was contending for homecourt in the first round of the playoffs, in other words being good enough to contend for fourth place. The way you do that is by winning the games you are expected to win. If this season comes to a thud, it's not because of games such as Wednesday's, but rather the two losses to the Magic, the two losses to the Nets, and the losses to the Kings, Bulls, Hawks and Knicks, especially the ones at home. Those are the bites at the apple you never get back. All of that said, in a season when the expectation never was -- or never should have been -- title contention, you don't trade based on this season. You trade based on the future. That means working through the youth of the roster, and possibly dealing older players. And at the moment, that could mean Goran Dragic.
Q: The reality is if we can split until the All-Star break we are good, Okaro White and Rodney McGruder and good health, we will make playoffs. With 30 games left, all is not lost. -- Randall.
A: And no one is saying it was or it is. But to avoid being .500 at the break, it means winning at least one of: Friday at home against the Bucks, Tuesday in Toronto, Wednesday in Philadelphia. None will be easy, but the next game has to be a priority, especially to go into the All-Star break with some semblance of a good feeling about playing at home, where the majority of games will be after the All-Star break. I agree that McGruder and White will help, but they won't help where the Heat most need help -- scoring points. Until the Heat become more than an all-or-nothing team with 3-pointers, it will remain a grind.
Q: I thought Spoelstra said he would play Hassan Whiteside and Bam Adebayo together more. -- Ted.
A: And then Kelly Olynyk went down with his shoulder injury and the available options in the middle dwindled. I would expect him to try to get to that when Kelly returns. Of course by then, the Heat well could be going through another lineup dynamic, in this never-ending series of twists and turns this season.
Q: Trading Justise Winslow for Tyreke Evans would be an incredibly short-sighted mistake. I’m almost in disbelief that it’s being floated around. Tyreke Evans has been great, but he doesn't come with Bird Rights and it's almost a certainty we won't be able to re-sign him. The desperation Pat Riley has shown to make the playoffs and maybe win a series has led to very questionable decisions that would probably had gotten general managers and presidents fired, i. e., signing league journeymen to hefty contracts, matching Tyler Johnson's contract, keeping Hassan Whiteside when it's clearly time to move on and potentially moving a 21-year-old lottery pick (full of potential) for a few months of Tyreke Evans. What is going on? -- Kevin.
A: First, everything at this stage, until completed, is just rumor. I do believe there are scenarios where moving Justise would make sense, but most are, as posited yesterday in this space, more about having to utilize Justise as a "sweetener" in a deal in place of the first-round picks that the Heat lack, be it to offload Tyler Johnson's salary, augment a potential Hassan Whiteside trade or serve as part of a bigger overall package. I agree that you don't give up on a player who still has one more rookie-scale season on his deal for a three-month rental. That said, a scorer such as Tyreke Evans is what the Heat could use for late-game situations in the injury absence of Dion Waiters, so he would make sense, at the right price, as a rental. But you often, with patience, can find similar rentals on the buyout market before that March 1 deadline for playoff eligibility.
Q: I think Bam Adebayo has clearly earned minutes in the rotation, but I don't begin to understand Erik Spoelstra sitting Hassan Whiteside so much. There is a lot of talk about how Spo finds ways to win. I think he also finds ways to lose. I don't think there is another coach in the league who would leave a guy like Hassan on the bench. He'd never comment publicly, and rightly so, but what do you think Pat Riley is thinking while he's watching yet another game slip away while Hassan watches from the bench? -- Brian, Mount Vernon, Wash.
A: I'm not in any way suggesting that Pat Riley was involved, but it was curious Tuesday how forthcoming Erik Spoelstra was about needing to find a way to play Hassan and Bam together more often. One of the most unique aspects of Spoelstra's coaching tenure has been designing schemes to maximize the talent on his roster. He did it last season with a bunch of journeyman veterans; he did it prior to that with the Big Three. Both Adebayo and Whiteside deserve to play, and not at the cost of the other's success. But the question remains whether, in today's NBA, you can effectively win with dual center-like players. I guess we're about to find out.
Q: I don’t know what Pat Riley plans for this team. I honestly think he did overpay these guys. He trusted on being able to get rid of these contracts if it didn't work and now he is stuck with them. -- Pito.
A: Obviously with Dion Waiters' ankle surgery, that potential trade option is out the window. And with James Johnson's play, a deal for him would appear highly unlikely. So the question becomes whether the Heat believe they can win, going forward, with those two. If that is the case, then you have to move others to make it work with them, since they clearly are not going anyway. That will make Thursday's trading deadline particularly intriguing.
Q: Ira, it seems that you get as much questions about Justise Winslow as you did for Michael Beasley. Your recent comments on the team not knowing what he can be are right on point. I'll go a bit further, though. Winslow is an OK role player whose play won't lose you games, but won't really win a game for you on his individual play. We need to stop worrying about the eighth or ninth player on the team. Yes, he starts sometimes, but it's normally due to an injury. I think I'd take Beasley over Winslow. -- Paul, Fort Lauderdale.
A: First, there is nothing wrong with complementary players. And that's what Justise was drafted as, to develop behind Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and then see what develops. This is why the NBA gives teams time to decide on rookie-scale extensions, with the Heat having until Oct. 31 for such a decision on Justise. That's what makes the balance of this season so important, to see if there is leading-man talent there or whether his future will be more as a complementary player. The difference is that because of the rookie scale, the Heat have time for such judgments, as opposed to the all-or-nothing decisions this past offseason with James Johnson and Dion Waiters. My hunch is that if the Heat believe Justise will evolve into a complementary player that they then might seek trade options, either by Thursday's deadline or the offseason. With his low salary, Winslow stands as the ultimate sweetener for the Heat as part of something potentially bigger, perhaps as the means to offload Tyler Johnson's remaining salary.
Q: Is Goran Dragic an All-Star, or the best player on a good team without an All-Star? -- Nate.
Um: sim. He's an All-Star because Eastern Conference coaches had him ninth on their list of reserves and two other reserves were injured (John Wall, Kevin Love). And, yes, he's the most reliable player on a team that has spent most of the past month among the top four seeds in the Eastern Conference. All-Star selections long have been about team success. Do the 12 best players in each conference make the All-Star Game on an annual basis? Raramente. And such selections, particularly among the final selections, often come down to respect beyond the current season. Eastern Conference coaches, I believe, recognized Goran as much for what he has accomplished in his career as for what he has achieved this season.
Q: Dwyane Wade is my favorite Heat player of all-time. LeBron James is a free agent. Let's say LeBron leaves Cleveland. What do you think Dwyane Wade's future has in store? I can't see him staying there without LeBron. Is it time to finish this season and retire gracefully? -- Jon, Vero Beach.
A: Dwyane is in Cleveland for one reason, and once that one reason leaves, there is no long reason for him to stay. So if LeBron does leave Cleveland after this season -- and that is mere speculation at this time -- I believe Dwyane will move on. Does that mean moving on to retirement? Possivelmente. But I could also see him moving on to play with yet another friend, which could be alongside Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, or perhaps even LeBron in another destination. As for the Heat, that could create an uncomfortable decision for Pat Riley if he also has to find rotation time for Josh Richardson, Tyler Johnson, Rodney McGruder, Justise Winslow and a returning Dion Waiters.
Q: If no trade is made by the deadline and the Heat have that $5.5 million salary cap exception they received for Dion Waiter's injury can they later fill a perceived need with a buyout player utilizing that exception money and possibly then buy out one of their own players like an A. J. Hammons to make room on the roster ? If they can, then if there is no trade to be made by Thursday's deadline, I guess we get to see if Rodney McGruder's return is enough in the short run to lift this team. -- Mike, North Miami Beach.
A: Touching on your last point first, I think Rodney McGruder can't do anything but help. He is that type of player, willing to do anything and everything to contribute. But he also is not a go-to scorer for late-game situations. As to your first point, I do believe the Heat will scour the buyout list, which could be particularly interesting this year with that deadline moved up two weeks, leaving more than three weeks before the March 1 buyout deadline. (To refresh, players on current NBA rosters must be waived by March 1 to be eligible for another team's playoff roster. They don't have to be signed by their new team by then, but must be released by that date).
Q: Ira, yes we lost the last three games we should have won, but another question is how many close games have we won that we could have easily lost? By my count we could just as easily be three to five games under 500. Point is, most Heat wins/losses are coming down to final few possessions and screams out the need to trade for a player who can dominate and score when needed. We’ve seen far too many leads squandered with horrendous shooting for nearly a quarter’s worth of play. Now with all these close games, game in and game out, the Heat especially of late have look tired at the end of games. -- Brian, Fort Lauderdale.
A: Because you either are a go-to scorer, have that mentality, or you wind up in something less than attack mode, as we saw with James Johnson at the end of the game in Cleveland. Yes, sometimes the plays, themselves, can make the difference, as we saw with winning baskets by Josh Richardson and Wayne Ellington last month. But sometimes they also can be snuffed out, as was the case at the end against the 76ers. The Heat's margin, as you point out, is razor thin. That's where Dion Waiters mattered last season and where a Waiters-type stopgap could matter this season.
Q: What I was wondering is if Justise Winslow has the potential to be in a Draymond Green-type role. I feel like he is too elite of a defender to be just a "regular player." Watching him in games, I think he has the potential to be that all-around player. O que você acha? -- Aron, Dallas.
A: What has to come first is delineating Justise's role going forward. With Dion Waiters out, Justise has moved into more of a ballhandling role than expected. But he also has started games this season at power forward. And in the Heat's most recent playoff game, he was the starting center. Now he appears to be slotting in at small forward. Before you can find out who a player can be, you have to decide what that player will be. If the future is as a playmaker, then tightening the dribble could have to be a priority. If the future is to be more Draymond-like, then additional bulk might be in order. At at small forward, there has to be a great scoring threat.
Q: James Johnson needs to stay coming off the bench. He had a great game Saturday compared to the games he started. We lost, but he had good effort and was focused. -- D. B.
A: The lineups and rotations continue to remain a puzzle for Erik Spoelstra because of all the injuries. But with James' preference to be on the ball, it makes sense to have him away from the closest thing the Heat have to a true point guard, in Goran Dragic. The issue then becomes what to do with Justise Winslow, who started on Saturday, which avoided the overlapping skills with Johnson. But here's the real question going forward: If the Heat do decide to open with two big men other than James Johnson, say Hassan Whiteside-Kelly Olynyk or Whiteside-Bam Adebayo or even in an injury absence something like Saturday's Adebayo-Olynyk, then what about when Rodney McGruder returns? He could wind up as the perfect complement to such a big lineup when utilized at small forward, perhaps alongside Josh Richardson and Dragic. Yet, while that all would be well and good, then what to do about Winslow? It just seems as if James Johnson and Justise Winslow wind up as an either-or proposition.
Q: I wouldn't panic because of three losses, but instead of a third or fourth seed, it's possible that we miss the playoffs. -- Marcelo.
A: Which is why the losses this season to the Magic, Knicks, Hawks, Bulls, Nets and Kings were so costly. But the NBA season rarely is about the moment, and more about the entirety of the schedule. That schedule now takes a more favorable turn for the Heat, provided they can maximize homecourt advantage, which hasn't always been the case this season.
Q: We've just lost three games that should have been wins and the race is too tight to be losing. We are going to quickly find ourselves on the outskirts if they don’t figure this out. -- Michael, Austin, Texas.
A: Which is sort of how this season set up in the first place, a scramble for playoff seeding. What the Heat have to do is regain is consistency, which is difficult amid myriad injuries. They also have to figure out who and what matter most (yes, I know I'm talking in code there) and we likely will have our truest read on that after the second game of this impending three-game homestand, with the passing of Thursday's trading deadline.
Q: We can't score and we roll out the same lineup and run the same plays. -- Wilson.
A: Um . . . yes, save for the late comeback bid at the end of Friday's game. And for Erik Spoelstra it continues to come down to the defense. Look, there is nothing wrong with an identity and primary focus. That is accepted with the Heat. But there has to be something more than what the Heat are calling offense these days. And it wasn't just against the Cavaliers, it also was Friday against a 76ers team entering on a three-game losing streak, before the second unit finally moved the Heat out of their malaise. Just because James Johnson has a solid run at the end of last season as a starter and then signed a four-year, $60 million contract in the offseason doesn't mean he is the best starting option for this team, as configured. It's almost as if Spoelstra is trying to avoid playing Johnson and Justise Winslow in the same unit, with Johnson starting and Winslow coming off the bench. But you can see the need for Kelly Olynyk's shooting and spacing in the first unit. With his reluctance to shoot, Johnson no longer provides such spacing. It all adds up, again, to the need for a scoring upgrade, either from within or perhaps at Thursday's trading deadline.
Q: Pat Riley now has his answer to how the team is doing at the trade deadline. The question is will he ride it out until summer or get a few scoring rentals for now? There's always the thought that eighth is better than staying home in ninth. -- Skip, Tampa.
A: Because of the Goran Dragic trade with the Suns in 2015, the Heat have no choice -- they have to make the playoffs. The Heat's 2018 first-round pick goes to Phoenix unless it is among the first seven. So it won't be like last season, when just missing the playoffs still left the Heat with a Bam Adebayo consolation prize. Miss the playoffs this season, and you're still essentially a spectator at the draft. That nightmare scenario could be enough to push Pat Riley and the Heat front office into action.
Q: The 76ers are better than the Heat, right? -- Max.
A: This season or long term? The Heat's depth of talent might provide a slight advantage this season, with the three remaining meetings to settle that score. But the question I've been tossing out to co-workers has been this: Would you trade the Heat's entire personnel situation for the 76ers? My answer: How could you not, with even if Markelle Fultz doesn't pan out? The only way that even would be a debate would be if Hassan Whiteside could get back to the highest, most-consistent level of his play.
Q: I wouldn't mind Iso Joe back. He stunk in the playoff with us, but played so good in them for the Jazz last year. -- Corbs.
A: It certainly is a name that could intrigue, if there eventually is a buyout for Joe Johnson, be it from the Jazz or a team he potentially is dealt to. There certainly have been enough moments where someone with Johnson's reputation as a closer could have come in handy this season, even if just as a decoy, especially with Dion Waiters being sidelined. But again, you would need a roster spot. I believe at least one will come available with the waiving for A. J. Hammons. But should such a spot go to a veteran point guard (as suggested below), a prospect (perhaps Derrick Jones Jr., with the NBA days dwindling on his two-way contract) or a scorer (such as Joe Johnson)?
Q: Ira, it looks as though Chicago is waiving Jameer Nelson as part of the Nikola Mirotic deal with New Orleans. Could he be the answer the Heat have been looking for as a backup point guard? -- A. J.
A: First of all, the Heat have never said they are looking for a backup point guard. That's been more of my prodding than anything substantive on their end. But this is the type of player -- but not this specific player -- that I believe would be quality insurance for the playoffs. As it is, it looks like Nelson will be staying -- at least for a while -- with the Bulls. The delicate part here is not moving too quickly, when other options also could eventually emerge by the next Thursday's trading deadline and in advance of the March 1 buyout deadline (players in the league this season must be waived by that date to be eligible for another team's playoff roster, regardless of when they eventually opt to sign). This is where the Heat's $5.5 million exception for Dion Waiters' ankle injury could come in handy, as could what remains of their unused mid-level exception. But, again, with all this speculation of bolstering the roster, keep in mind that the Heat already are at the NBA maximum of 15, and that doesn't even include the two-way contracts of Derrick Jones Jr. and Derrick Walton Jr.
Q: Set me straight, please, Ira. Everyone is crowing about Wednesday night's solid defensive game against Cleveland. I was screaming at the TV screen watching Channing Frye look like LeBron James, in the face of no Heat defensive presence there. Jae Crowder was left open numerous times and scored. On a night when the offense was challenged, two or three of those defensive no-shows could have made the difference. -- Patrick, Coral Springs.
A: You are absolutely correct. And the Heat could not have been much worse defending the Cavaliers' "Elbow Big Curl," which led to layup after layup for Frye off screens from Chicago guards along the baseline. And then there were the 3-pointers from Jae Crowder and Kyle Korver that proved so decisive. And that is why it has to be about more than just the defense. Because if it takes merely two or three breakdowns to swing a game, then you're saying your defense has to be flawless in light of the ongoing offensive struggles. That's why the Heat have to get to something more effective on the offensive end, so they can't withstand such lapses (which are inevitable even from the best defenses).
Q: Ira, please help me understand why Erik Spoelstra continues to go with James Johnson down the stretch when he has been an offensive nightmare and liability. -- Elie, Melbourne, Australia.
A: The James Johnson thing is becoming one of the most confounding elements of this Heat season. He has become so reluctant to pull the trigger that it was apparent he was hesitant even without another option on Wednesday's final possession. Go strong and at least you have the chance of possibly getting to the foul line. Think back to last season, when there was so much confidence from Johnson. There was the play were he attacked just before the buzzer in Detroit and Hassan Whiteside won it with his putback. At least Johnson was definitive on that play. And then there was the game in Washington last season where Johnson won it with his driving finish. He simply exuded confidence in those situations. I don't know if it's conditioning, fatigue or perhaps a lingering ankle issue, but he does not have the same look this season. He was hesitant Wednesday. And the Heat lost.
Q: Hassan Whiteside had gotten all of Cleveland's bigs in foul trouble before being benched Wednesday. Especially after watching what Detroit had done in the paint against the Cavaliers the night before, how can we justify 28 three ball attempts with only four shots from Hassan in this type of game? -- Kenny, Pembroke Pines.
A: Because attempting to win on defense means matching up defensively as the priority. I cannot argue with the decision to ride late with Kelly Olynyk, who played like a finisher as much as any Heat player Wednesday. But in a quarter where you score only 17 points, it would have seemed like an extra easy basket or two would have helped, or at least he could have gotten to the foul line. The Cavaliers were 7 of 9 from the line in the fourth quarter. The Heat did not have an attempt. So chalk it up as another fourth quarter where Whiteside's minutes total read 00:00.
Q: Based on everything I’ve read, Pat Riley is playing the trade deadline perfectly. He is being patient, listening and waiting for the prime opportunity. I believe that he wants to trade Hassan Whiteside, but he's waiting for that Godfather offer. In my opinion, the Godfather offer he is waiting for is from the Milwaukee Bucks, as they have been linked to wanting a defensive anchor such as DeAndre Jordan or Hassan Whiteside. If the Bucks strike out on Jordan, that's when we will get the offer Riley is waiting for: Khris Middleton and Jabari Parker for Whiteside plus Rodney McGruder or Okaro White. The Bucks are feeling the pressure right now to make a move and Riley is waiting. -- Aaron.
A: And that all comes down to whether you therefore are confident that Bam Adebayo and Kelly Olynyk is enough in the middle to provide and sustain playoff success. But it also likely would have to lead to a Part B, since it further complicated a crowded Heat perimeter rotation, especially when Dion Waiters makes it back next season. But with a Khris Middleton available, there at least would have been another end-game option available Wednesday.
Q: You said a No. 4 seed for the Heat is "looking now like a legitimate reality." RI MUITO. O que? It's been a reality. We can even get to third this week. -- Joseph.
A: The point I was trying to make was that with John Wall about to miss significant time with the Wizards because of his knee issue, the Heat are positioned to firm up their grasp on No. 4 in the East (although I wouldn't yet sleep on the Bucks, Pacers or even 76ers, who still have four games remaining against the Heat). And while I am quite aware of how the Heat have been nipping at the Cavaliers' heels for weeks for the No. 3 seed, I still have a difficult time believing LeBron James would ever allow his team the indignity of finishing lower than third in the East, if even that. For most of the season, there was a sense that the Wizards could, or would, find another gear. But when playing without Wall, they're basically down to Bradley Beal, Otto Porter or bust. In fact, at this stage, as mentioned, the greater challenges could come from Indiana or Milwaukee. Of course, as always, injuries will play a significant role in the equation.
Q: Why is James Johnson trying to do everything all the time? His game is not really matching the team ball we've been playing. What's going on with him lately? He's a mature enough and smart enough player (and a captain) and should know better. --Michael, Austin, Texas.
A: And the thing is, every time James Johnson makes a bad decision, he immediately recognizes and beats himself about it, such as his ill-timed full-court pass to Tyler Johnson late in Monday's harrowing victory in Dallas, when killing the clock would have made far more sense. Those are the types of plays that drove Dwane Casey to distraction in Toronto. James' creativity often can inspire the Heat offense. But I'm not sold on Johnson as a crunch-time playmaker as much as perhaps a crunch-time scorer. The thing is, without a true backup to Goran Dragic at point guard, Erik Spoelstra has been trying to buy time with Johnson or Justise Winslow in such a playmaking role. I would still give Johnson significant freedom over the first 40 minutes, with the understanding that the final eight minutes are different. The Heat's offense is based on good to better to best when it comes to shot quality. But when it comes to Johnson's playmaking, good, more often than not, can be good enough.
Q: It seems that every time the Heat let a team back into the game, it is because the offense bogs down. I understand your point about not having a true backup point guard as a problem, but could Dion Waiters have provided a little more offense when the rest of the team has had trouble scoring? He obviously relishes the role as closer. Could his being out hurt the Heat more than people thought? Winning at Brooklyn and against Sacramento would have put the Heat ahead of Cleveland going into their game. -- Howard.
A: You make a cogent point I think many, including myself, have overlooked. Last season, there were several moments where it looked like the Heat didn't know where to go for offense, and then: Waiters -- dagger! Waiters -- dagger! Game. We even saw some of that in this season's game in Utah. But the question would be whether Erik Spoelstra would have him on the court in such moments, or would prefer to continue to go with a defensive lineup to protect the leads, even as they dwindle. I made a point of including this today because I believe it is easy, when he first was hobbled and now is gone, to forget how much of an asset Waiters stood as for the Heat at times last season.
Q: Could the Heat have gotten involved for Blake Griffin? I seem to recall Pat Riley being interested. -- Miles.
A: First, the Heat essentially were linked to any and every free agent in the offseason, so I wouldn't read too much into that. But the priority always was Gordon Hayward. It appeared from the outset that Griffin's decision this past summer would come down to the Suns or his eventual return to the Clippers. As for Blake being dealt to the Pistons, the Heat lacked the primary currency needed to get involved in the bidding -- an upcoming first-round pick. Because of the two first-rounders still due to the Suns because of the Goran Dragic deal, the next first-rounder that the Heat can deal would be their 2023 pick. As for the players involved, it would have required the Clippers to be as interested in, say, James Johnson as Tobias Harris. In addition, the Heat would have needed to throw an expiring contract in the deal, as the Pistons did with Avery Bradley. For the Heat, that would have been Wayne Ellington (there is not much to choose from when it comes to Heat contracts that expire after this season). All of that, however, is moot because of the lack of an available first-rounder.
Q: How have Kevin Durant, Paul George, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, Carmelo Anthony, Gordon Hayward, Isaiah Thomas, DeMarcus Cousins and, now, Blake Griffin all switched teams since LeBron James left Miami and we haven’t landed one star? Don't forget we gave the few assets we had left to Phoenix for Goran Dragic in a panic to make us a contender with the idea of building the team around Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade when LeBron left. -- Mitch.
A: Which basically answers the question right there. And then Chris Bosh developed blood clots and had a recurrence. The question is not as much as those got away before this past summer, but then the decision to lock in with James Johnson, Kelly Olynyk and Dion Waiters this summer. Then again, as mentioned above, without draft-pick currency, making a deal would have been difficult, anyway, even with cap space. I do disagree with your assessment about the trade for Goran -- the Dragic move was the right move at the time. Then the times changed. If the two picks forwarded to Phoenix are sent out as non-lottery picks, then I believe that ultimately grades out as a positive deal for the Heat. And with the trading deadline not until Feb. 8, this might not be over yet.
Q: Why can't the Heat comfortably close teams out? Opponents are almost always given a chance to get back in it, like with the Mavericks. Is it a lack of star power? -- Alex Washington.
A: I'm not sure you can say that, because most teams would have their leading men out of games at those stages, anyway. And when Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside returned, it was enough to settle the Heat down. I believe it is more of attempting to play without a true point guard too often. Yes, Justise Winslow again had some impressive moments Monday. But I'm not sure that the ball in James Johnson's hands is the best approach as an opponent is rallying. Those are the moments when true playmaking precision is required.
Q: I like Wayne Ellington a lot, Do not forget that his contract is expiring. If he stays hot, he also will get paid this summer. Just wait and see if he stays consistent. -- Felix.
A: While there has been much speculated about Wayne's impending free agency, keep in mind two impactful elements that factor into the equation. First, Wayne has proven to be one of the most essential -- if not the most essential -- contributors to the Heat this season. It would not be a stretch to consider him the Heat's Most Valuable Player at the moment. And you don't cast aside one of your most impactful players simply because of concerns about the luxury tax (an argument could be made that Wayne is contributing more at this moment than most others the Heat cast aside in the name of luxury tax, such as Mike Miller, Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen). So there's that. Plus, Wayne appreciates this opportunity for career revival and also recognizes all the other organizations -- and there have been several -- that did not deem him worthy of their time for development. In other words, I doubt he will hold the Heat hostage in free agency, and might even be convinced to wait one more season for his full Bird Rights, giving the team extra time to sort out their payroll. And the one thing the Heat are very good at is sorting out their payroll. Part of the shame of free agency is that it occurs during the summer, when the Heat's built-in advantage is melted away. If that period was in the dead of winter, I'm not so sure that players would be as eager to pursue greener pastures that actually are frozen over.
Q: The last thing that Goran Dragic he needs is an All-Star appearance. And yes, Ira, you can say it again, they need a backup point guard. Maybe Briante Weber? Give him a two-way when one of the next ones expires. -- Bruce.
A: First of all, the way Goran's eyes light up when he mentions his impending vacation during the All-Star break, you can see how much he needs that time after this six-month whirlwind that began in the summer in advance of his championship run with Slovenia at EuroBasket. The last thing he needs are a pair of cross-country flights and then days of media requirements in Los Angeles during All-Star Weekend. And, yes, for all Josh Richardson showed offensively and Justise Winslow defensively in stepping up in place of Goran at the close of Saturday's victory over Charlotte, there is plenty to still be said for adding a veteran point guard, roster space permitting. But a two-way for Briante Weber or any other player is not an option. Jan. 15 was the final day this season to sign players to such contracts.
Q: James Johnson needs to start shooting wide open shots or sit on the bench. -- Brad.
Um: sim. He seemingly has gotten so caught up in trying to be a be-all, end-all playmaker that he is allowing defenses to sit back, knowing that he is not going to attack the available space by stepping into a jumper. Sometimes the simplest play is a simple shot. James' ability to space the floor was a key component to last season's 30-11 finish. That has been missing this season, something Kelly Olynyk provided when he was with the first unit. As has always been the case with Johnson, the simplest game is the best game. For the Heat and Erik Spoelstra, that remains an ongoing puzzle, how to get the best out of Johnson while not stifling the unique creativity.
Q: As scrappy and lovable as this "win by committee" Heat team can be, we all know most playoff series are won by the team with the star player(s). How far do you think this team can go if they don't move some assets for a new franchise face? -- Orlando, Hialeah.
A: In the regular season? Contending for homecourt in the first round of the playoffs. In the playoffs? Possibly to a competitive conclusion in the second round, with a puncher's chance at the conference finals. That, of course, falls short of the stated goal of Pat Riley, which is why there almost has to be a follow-up move, either at the Feb. 8 NBA trading deadline or in the offseason, if the Heat can find a willing partner. We've already seen enough games to recognize that against the most competitive defenses, closing time can be a challenge, with Saturday's decisive sequence a big frazzled. Just as Erik Spoelstra preaches a relentless pursuit of excellence on the court, the expectation has to be the same from the front office. These players are mostly giving it all they have, and, still, there were the Heat with an all-or-nothing moment at the end of the fourth quarter against a Hornets team playing on the second night of a back-to-back set.
Q: Did Derrick Walton Jr. get demoted back to Sioux Falls? -- Ryan.
A: Technically, sort of. This whole "NBA days" thing on two-way contracts needs some sort of review. Basically, as players get closer to their 45-day limits of NBA service, teams have started getting creative, calling practice days something otherwise and rerouting players during travel periods. I still believe the more significant number for the Heat are the seven NBA days that Derrick Jones Jr. has remaining, rather than the five for Walton. I'm not necessarily sure that Walton is a player of the future for the Heat. I believe Jones could have such potential, especially with most of the Heat's upcoming draft picks dealt elsewhere. It will be interesting to see how the Heat massage Jones' remaining NBA allowance in advance of the Feb. 8 trading deadline, when's possible that the Heat clear A. J. Hammons' roster spot through either a trade or outright release.
Q: Brandon Jennings wants to make an NBA comeback after his contract is up in China, I think he could be the answer for the backup point guard we need. What do you think Ira? -- Daniel, Miami.
A: Too much of a score-first mentality. The preference here would be a get-them-into offense veteran. That will make the buyout deadline intriguing, to see if a veteran sacrifices salary in order to get to a playoff team. Of course, it also will be interesting to see if the Heat can create a roster spot at the trading deadline. There still is time for Justise Winslow, Tyler Johnson or Josh Richardson to show they can handle such minutes in the absence of Goran Dragic. Winslow did a nice job in that respect Saturday. But as a playoff-game closer? That's another story.
Q: Goran Dragic looked like he ran out of gas at the end of that Kings game. De'Aaron Fox blew pass him for an easy layup, then took the ball from him on the very next possession. Then he failed to box Fox out on that putback dunk. On Hassan Whiteside's sixth foul, Dragic went too early. He did not allow the screen to be set, which resulted in a moving screen. Is Derrick Walton Jr. so bad that he can't spell Dragic for a few minutes at a time? Dragic has to own this one and he can't end a game with one assist. -- Quinn.
A: A few thoughts, but most importantly this: Goran did take ownership after the loss, said it was his fault, citing the failure to box out. But this is more than playing 31 minutes against the Kings. I believe it is the cumulative total of playing since the start of September without any tangible break from the game (mentally and physically). The All-Star break will be significant for him, to recharge. As for Walton, he certainly is not a crunch-time NBA point guard at this stage of his development, basically little more than low-cost stopgap option. I know this is getting old, but there is plenty to be said for having a veteran true point guard for the stretch run.
Q: What will the Heat do with Derrick Jones Jr.? It seems like they really like his potential. -- D. V.
A: He will remain with the team in some form, even if it means being stashed in the G League for a while as the rest of the roster is sorted out. After the Feb. 8 NBA trading deadline, it is far more likely that Jones will be part of the Heat's 15-player NBA roster than A. J. Hammons, who has been with the Sioux Falls Skyforce all season, even when the Heat had injuries to their power rotation. It's not only the coaching staff and management that are intrigued by Jones, but the players, themselves. For a team that is well over the cap, these are the type of low-budget prospects that you can't afford to let go.
Q: Ira, what's the problem with Briante Weber? He's been bounced around the league (Miami, Memphis, Golden State, Charlotte and Houston), but he never gets a long contract. Is he just not that good? I see he’s back with the Skyforce. -- Karl, Kappa, Hawaii.
A: Like Derrick Jones Jr., teammates have sworn by Briante as a locker-room presence, so it’s not that. It's as simple as in a league that has prioritized scoring, that's the one area where Briante has struggled most. He is the perfect fit for a team that needs a pesky defender at the point, but a team that doesn't require scoring, as well. That most likely would be the luxury for a winning team. So, for now, he waits. Novamente.
Q: Now I get why Erik Spoelstra benches Hassan Whiteside in the fourth quarter so often. He's cost us two games in less than a week with less than a minute left to play. -- Wilson, Miami.
A: I wouldn't say, even with his turnovers, that Whiteside cost the Heat in the loss in Houston. The Rockets were the better team and the end of that game was trending in their direction even before those turnovers. As for Thursday's close and the offensive foul for the illegal screen, it wasn't as if the intentions were bad, just the execution. He was, after all, attempting to free a teammate for a scoring opportunity. For all the talk of Hassan slipping too many screens, this was one he was trying to hold. But to your greater point, you constantly have to show in this league that you deserve to play as closer. This has not been Hassan's best week. I would hope he could agree with that, instead of offering up why his screen shouldn't have been called a foul.
Q: Yet again a Justise Winslow return results in a struggling Heat. This is not coincidence anymore. At what point do we have to accept that having Winslow in the lineup puts too much strain on the others? Opponents don't even bother sending a man his way. And he struggles to finish at the rim. On defense, he is not the stopper we once thought him to be -- Kenny.
A: I guess you stop when you decide that the clock has run out for a 21-year-old. But there also has to be a realization of limitations, such as when he attacked the rim 1-on-2 at speed on Thursday night and failed to score. And I agree, the notion of elite defensive stopper has been somewhat overstated. What will be most interesting to see is how the Heat handle his extension deadline prior to next season, or whether they punt that decision to another team.
Q: Ira, with all due respect to James Johnson, this team seemed to have been doing better when Kelly Olynyk was starting. -- Danny, Fort Lauderdale.
A: Can’t disagree, but also respect the right of a coach to analyze every possible option over the course of a season. Something is just off this season with James Johnson, as if he is trying to do too much, at times more caught up in attempting to create assists from Wayne Ellington shots than working through the offense. A year ago at this time, he was at a different, and better, level than at the moment.
Q: Ira what do you think Hassan Whiteside for Kevin Love? We get a 3-point shooter, he is a decent rebounder, plus he will love to stick it to LeBron James. The salaries are similar and he only has two years left on his contract? É possível? -- Pito.
A: Is it possible? Certo. O que eu acho? Quem se importa? It's what Pat Riley thinks. I actually believe the Heat would be more likely to move on something like this than the Cavaliers. Put it this way, after going after Kevin Durant and Gordon Hayward the past two offseasons, I am sure Riley would have gone all-in this summer had Love been a free agent. With Bam Adebayo and Kelly Olynyk on the roster, the Heat would have other options available on the middle, perhaps even adding a low-cost shot blocker in the offseason. The one box that Love does not check off for Riley would be defense. And that could prove problematic when attempting to play Love alongside Olynyk. But you still would have James Johnson for late-game defense at power forward. I'm not sure that LeBron would necessarily sign off on Whiteside, with Hassan's up-and-down play. I'd almost be curious to see how Dwyane Wade would have to say. An argument could be made that it could potentially be a win-win move. But since you ask, yes, I would be tempted.
Q: They should just put out all the best rookies and sophomores in the Rising Stars Challenge instead of World vs. USA. Bam Adebayo could've made it from that perspective. -- Teri.
A: I agree. Dillon Brooks? From the Grizzlies? At times such as this, with so much divisiveness in our world, do we really need to delineate U. S. players from international players? And if you don't want to play rookies vs. second-year players, then have a draft of the candidates, perhaps even televise it, unlike the process with the All-Stars. This is not to say Bam was snubbed. It would have been a close call with other omitted players, as well. But the format, in something that remains meaningful to the players, should be more about best available talent.
Q: With no Heat player being named as an All-Star, does that give more credit to Erik Spoelstra for coaching a team with zero "All-Stars" and still being a Top 4 team in the East? -- Robert, Falls Church, Va.
A: More credit? No. He already has just about as much credit as a coach can have, appreciated by his peers, respected by his players, and likely headed to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Questions about the Heat might start in a lot of places, but coach is not one of them.
Q: How can a team in the Top 4 in the East not get one All-Star? -- Sean.
A: Because it has been constructed as an ensemble team, without any single player being featured. That requires a huge buy in, and that's what a player such as Goran Dragic has delivered. Now, if the Heat had been holding steady at No. 4 all season, rather than seemingly sneaking up on the entire league, then I believe, as Erik Spoelstra said, there would have been more focus on Heat All-Star possibilities. As it is, I'm not sure you can say any specific Heat player was snubbed. The thing is, the pressure only now continues, since if Commissioner Adam Silver has to make an injury-replacement selection, it will come closer to the Feb. 18 All-Star Game. So will the Heat be in the same place in the standings then as they are now? If they are, then I hope Dragic has purchased travel insurance in case he has to change his plans. Because in that case, I think could be the next team up, if not necessarily the next team up.
Q: Hassan Whiteside is not a closer. He is always good in the first two quarters, but the fourth is always his Waterloo. The team knows this already. He can play maybe five minutes of the fourth quarter, but must not be in late in the game. Apenas dizendo. -- Ronaldo.
A: Look, I cannot disagree that the end of Monday's fourth quarter was somewhat of a Whiteside disaster with the turnovers. But the greater thought it this: If the Miami Heat view Hassan Whiteside as an essential piece of their franchise, then doesn't it behoove them to play him through such situations so he can learn from his mistakes? Playing late in games shouldn't be so unique that it comes off as a unique experience -- if you believe he is a franchise centerpiece. Now, if you don't, that's another story. Yes, seven turnovers in a game are unacceptable. Concordo. No matter how they come. But wouldn't you rather he learn from such mistakes in January than during the fourth quarter of a playoff game in April or May? I will agree with this: Whiteside has to play with the same force late as he does early. And fatigue can't be an excuse because Erik Spoelstra goes out of his way to make sure there is ample rest along the way, especially now that he has Kelly Olynyk and Bam Adebayo to provide relief minutes. With Whiteside it has to be as simply as playing hard and playing smart -- all the time.
Q: When will we see Rodney McGruder? The Heat miss his defense and his 3-point shooting. -- T. S.
A: I'm not sure, to be honest, that is what is necessarily missing at the moment. The Heat have ample 3-point options, and enough defensive persistence from James Johnson, Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson to handle most challenges. While I believe Rodney should be back some time in February (don't expect much in the way of advance notice from the Heat), I think the greater priority is the lack of a go-to scorer. Yes, Goran Dragic has been out and he can help in that regard. But you could see at the end of Monday's game the difference it made with the Rockets being able to go to James Harden or Chris Paul. You can win close games during the regular season by committee and by surprise, but I'm not sure that is a successful playoff formula.
Q: Erik Spoelstra let Hassan Whiteside play against the Rockets small lineup and it worked. Will we see it more? -- Omar.
A: I was wondering which direction Spoelstra would go after the Rockets downsized in Monday's second quarter, going with Ryan Anderson and P. J. Tucker as their power rotation. To Spoelstra's credit, even after Anderson loaded up, he kept Hassan in and then played through the post. I can absolutely appreciate matching up late in games, when you can't afford even one mismatched defensive possession. But you also can't allow the opposition to erase your advantage through lineup adjustments. But the downside is when Whiteside then was allowed to play as a closer Monday, he committed the turnover off a defensive rebound that effectively ended the game. That's the other side of the equation: Do you play one of your top players in those situations so he can learn from such mistakes? Or are such mistakes too costly to risk, when every game clearly will be essential in the Heat's playoff race? Whiteside as closer, at least for this one night, was a losing equation.
Q: Every year teams pick up serviceable veterans cheap (Joe Johnson. Luol Deng, Birdman) without having to trade young players who, this year, are over performing collectively. Do you see any on the horizon who could give the Heat a boost in the playoffs? -- Jack, Fort Myers.
A: It's not really what we see now, but rather what we see as the fallout of the Feb. 8 trading deadline, specifically which teams elect to be sellers and turn their attention to the lottery. That, in turn, will turn the attention of their veterans elsewhere. That is where the $5.5 million injury exception for Dion Waiters' ankle surgery could come in handy. As you know, I'm all in for a veteran point guard, but any addition would requiring opening a roster spot, with no additional roster space accompanying the Waiters exception.
Q: Better by Justise Winslow, yes? -- Steve.
A: Yes, finishing with the right-handed move in the third period Monday, and, before that, converting another standstill 3-pointer. Again, it becomes a case of recognizing your strengths -- and your limitations. Remember, Justise was drafted when the Heat had Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, at the time to be a complementary player. Ultimately, perhaps that becomes his NBA niche. But even with these occasional baskets, it has become clear that the opposition hardly is prioritizing defending Justise, which continues to put additional pressure on the other scorers on the court.
Q: Ira, I realize anything could happen. But are we in the middle of another 30-11 second half? These guys are playing great. And it looks like we are seeing some of that growth from within that Pat Riley was talking about with Josh Richardson, Wayne Ellington, Tyler Johnson, plus the addition of Bam Adebayo and Kelly Olynyk. Rod McGruder should be back soon. We could challenge for that No. 2 spot. -- John.
A: Now, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves, considering it took something verging on a miracle to win in Charlotte and had a late 3-pointer or two dropped in Milwaukee for the Bucks, we could be talking about an 0-4 trip to this stage. But, yes, the Heat appear to be trending in a similar fashion as at this stage last season (ironically, it was a victory over the Rockets that got things started last year, with the Heat to play Monday in Houston). What will be curious going forward is if the sole focus will be on victory, or whether there will be moments to allow struggling players to work their way into a rhythm, perhaps in the cases on Winslow and possibly McGruder. I still believe the Celtics, Raptors and Cavaliers are on another level, and that LeBron James will put his foot down before the Cavaliers fall too far. Still, landing at No. 4 or No. 5 could produce a compelling first-round series against the Wizards, with a chance to advance. I would say the one thing that could get in the way would be injuries, but the Heat haven't allowed that to get in the way to this stage.
Q: We don't need a point guard, we need a wing player. -- Steven.
A: First, with the way the team has been playing lately, it's as if they have all the mix-and-match pieces they need, with Saturday's victory in Charlotte the perfect example. But the one thing I don't think they need is another wing. First, Goran Dragic and Tyler Johnson will be back sooner rather than later. And then you have Rodney McGruder angling for a likely return in February from his preseason leg injury. Beyond that, with a glut in the power rotation -- with Hassan Whiteside, Kelly Olynyk, James Johnson and Bam Adebayo all playing well -- it has become apparent that Justise Winslow's minutes are now more likely to come in the wing rotation. So factor in Josh Richardson and Wayne Ellington and that's a bunch of wings to work in, let alone Derrick Jones Jr., and even with Dion Waiters sidelined. By contrast, in moments when the offense has to be steadied, that's when an extra point guard, available only for emergency duty, such as a night Dragic can't go, would make sense. But at the moment, unless you're talk about an All-Star talent, I don't see much in the way of urgent need anywhere on the roster. There is plenty of equivalent talent already in place.
Q: Wayne Ellington was the MVP of the first half of the season for the Heat, agreed? -- Masoud, Tucson, Ariza.
A: The beauty of this roster is that such a designation changes from week to week, often game to game. Goran Dragic twice has earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week this season, which speaks to his impact during those periods. At other times, Josh Richardson has been the most consistent performer. And there have been extended stretches where Ellington and Kelly Olynyk have provided life, let alone the games where Hassan Whiteside has been a double-double machine. It's almost as if the Heat can award their own Player of the Week. And it also is a reason why it is so difficult to delineate an All-Star on this roster.
Q: This is why they should be starting Wayne Ellington and Kelly Olynyk. -- Art.
A: I can appreciate the notion of wanting your most productive players -- which in the NBA often are your highest scorers -- in the starting rotation. But when your team has such an even distribution of talent, not a single All-Star in the mix, building a coherent and cohesive rotation can be just as important. As Olynyk showed with his 14 fourth-quarter points Saturday, sometimes it is a change of pace that can swing a game. Similarly, when the Heat are at least mostly healthy, you can open with the attack games of Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson (or, when healthy, Dion Waiters) and then change things up with Ellington's relentless movement for 3-pointers. It's all a delicate balance, particularly with the injuries. You notice there wasn't a single question Saturday about Hassan Whiteside sitting out the entire fourth quarter. I know it sounds clichéd, but with this team it truly is more about who finishes than who starts.
Q: I'm not in the business, but from the speed you post your postgame stories it's clear you have most of them ready by the end. And without a doubt, "Heat blows another lead" was ready for the push of the button. Be honest, did you have to scramble and put together the "Heat miraculously win" version -- Giovanni, Medellin, Columbia.
A: Not going to lie, the way the Hornets turned that game in the third quarter was so eerily similar, at least in terms of the scoring, to Friday's game in Brooklyn, that, yes, I already has a different version ready. That version was about how the odds were stacked against the Heat even before Charlotte's third-quarter surge, what with Goran Dragic being out, it being the second night of a back-to-back set against a rested team, the fourth consecutive road game, etc. In a way, that made it a relatively simple turnaround, merely chronicling all the Heat had to overcome. But, no, I never could have anticipated that script, including the shocking whistling of a foul with two-tenths of a second left for a player who seemingly was in the process of losing control of the ball.
Q: How do Heat accommodate Derrick Jones Jr.? -- Magdiel.
A: I'm not sure how much of a priority that will be once Rodney McGruder returns to the fold, and it could turn out to be as simple as allowing Derrick to finish the season with the Heat's developmental-league affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. With Tyler Johnson expected back soon, the Heat should have enough on the wing. It could come down to whether the Heat feel comfortable enough eating A. J. Hammons' salary for 2018-19 in order to accommodate Jones with a spot on this season's 15-man NBA roster.
Q: I know you normally don't address trade questions, but please consider this one. With the recent news of Charlotte considering attaching Kemba Walker onto a trade to unload some of their bad contracts, could this be an opportunity for the Heat to step in and add an All-Star-caliber asset? With the lack of draft picks in Heat's possession and the need for additional primary ballhandlers to assist Goran Dragic, it would seem only fitting to try to trade from a position of strength, which is our frontcourt. I love Hassan Whiteside and Justise Winslow, but if trading them both and smaller contracts to attain Kemba and a bad contract such as Dwight Howard or Nic Batum, I think it would be something the Heat have to consider, even if attaching a future pick. -- Victor, Bethlehem, Pa.
A: First, the Heat cannot attach a first-round pick until their 2023 selection, so I don't know how appetizing that would be. Second, if the goal by the Hornets is to offload salary, then Whiteside would not appear to make much sense. Beyond that, the Heat are lacking in attractive expiring contracts when it comes to a Charlotte trade partner freeing up offseason cap space. But putting the cap aside, if the Hornets were to deal with the Heat, I would think the preference would be Bam Adebayo over Whiteside, due to simple economics. And, unfortunately, about the only viable cap filler for the Heat at the moment would be Wayne Ellington. So would you trade Justise Winslow, Bam Adebayo and Wayne Ellington for Kemba Walker? And if you do, and move Goran to shooting guard, then what do you do with Tyler Johnson, Dion Waiters, Josh Richardson and Rodney McGruder? Don't get me wrong, I like Kemba. But Pat Riley has never been big on smallish guards. Now, if Charlotte was willing to take on Tyler Johnson, that might be another story, but that hardly plays to the Hornets' priorities when it comes to salary.
Q: Do the coaches who pick the All-Star reserves look at more stats than just points, assists, rebounds per game? If you compare Kristaps Porzingis with Hassan Whiteside, it would seem like a no brainier that Porzingis would be chosen over him. But if you look closer, Porzingis takes 19.4 shots per game compared to Whiteside's 10.4 shots per game. Give Whiteside 19.4 shots per game and he would average 26.67 points per game. Efficiency equals winning basketball and should count for something. -- Dave, Placentia, Calif.
A: But Hassan also has missed 18 games, so I don't think he can even be a factor. I believe coaches prioritize winning, which is why I believe the Heat have a better-than-expected chance to land an All-Star, with that All-Star being Goran Dragic. As the Heat have pointed out in their media notes, no top-four team in the East at the time of the All-Star Game has gone without an All-Star over the past 25 years.
Q: I know it's a small sample size, but Justise Winslow's 3-point percentage quietly has become among the most accurate among the rotation players. Could it be that he's possibly becoming the 3-and-D player that we were hoping? -- Adam, Boynton Beach.
A: If that is the end game, then yes. But I believe Justise wants to be far more, would not be content being cast into such a role, as a second-coming of Bruce Bowen or Keith Askins. So the question becomes whether he helps or hinders when he tries to do more, including his uneven attack efforts and struggles finishing at the rim.
Q: Ira, will Goran Dragic make the All-Star Game? The NBA always pushes its international players. -- Carl.
A: This has nothing to do with influence from the league or the league office. This is about Eastern Conference coaches now being charged with selecting seven reserves from the conference, with at least two of the choices being guards, at least three of the choices being frontcourt players, and then two wild-card selections. My thought, the current standings notwithstanding, is that the Wizards' John Wall and Bradley Beal will both be added, so the East backcourt could be maxed out right there if the coaches opt to fill out the remainder of their ballots with frontcourt talent. That said, the frontcourt options in the East are not overwhelming to the point where they will hold eight of the 12 roster spots. So, yes, I believe Goran could receive consideration, with an argument to be made for him ahead of those behind the Heat in the standings, such as Kemba Walker or Victor Oladipo. It also comes down to whether Kyle Lowry will receive coaches' votes. Interestingly, none of the TNT studio analysts had Dragic making it, with the lone Heat nod coming from Kenny Smith for Hassan Whiteside (who seemingly has missed too much time for a nod). It certainly will be interesting when the reserves are announced Tuesday. A Heat shutout certainly is within the realm.
Q: The best way to use Justise Winslow is have him set up plays and have someone else finish them. -- Leonard, Charlotte.
A: Or have Justise cycle back to open space on the perimeter for 3-pointers where he has time to gather himself, which has proven to be a successful component for the Heat to this stage. With Tyler Johnson ailing, this is a good spot for the Heat to see if Winslow can slot in as the backup point guard or whether something else should be considered either by the Feb. 8 trading deadline or the March 1 buyout deadline.
A: Why not play and start Hassan Whiteside and Kelly Olynyk more together? They both can tear it up and it would be hard to stop on the floor at the same time. -- Dennis.
A: And ultimately that could be the endgame, as Erik Spoelstra cycles through combinations. The only given about the Heat's lineups to this stage is that there are no givens, no absolutes. Spoelstra has already shown he is willing to tinker even during winning streaks. Beyond Hassan Whiteside, Josh Richardson and Goran Dragic, just about any and every option already has been attempted. And there still are a few more that could be put into play, as well as cycling back through some favorites.
Q: If Hassan Whiteside gives us this effort three out of every four games, man, what could be. Erik Spoelstra allowed the post to dictate the game against the Bucks. -- Sippy.
Q: When Hassan Whiteside is engaged and giving full effort, it's hard to even think about trading him. -- Robert.
Q: The Wall of Whiteside was back. -- Randall.
A: I grouped these questions together to show how so many within and beyond the organization would enjoy nothing more than for Hassan Whiteside to get back to being dominant Hassan Whiteside. And, as the first question points out, part of that is Erik Spoelstra playing through his center, as well. Yes, there are some games where the advantages are elsewhere on the court. And that's what a coach and a coaching staff are charged with doing, finding ways for their team to play from a position of advantage. But if Hassan gets deep post position, runs the floor, inspires teammates with his defense, the rewards go far beyond any statistics. Erik Spoelstra gave Hassan Whiteside a blueprint for success in Milwaukee; Hassan seized upon it. Sometimes it can be that simple and that basic. Now wash, rinse, repeat. Because only now is this playoff race getting truly juicy.
Q: James Johnson is even doubting himself. You can tell. He's missing dunks. He is better off the bench against second units. -- Shyra.
A: And yet, the Heat have lost only once since he was injected back into the starting lineup (granted we're only talking 2-1, including the ugly loss in Chicago). Based on the season sample to this stage, something clearly appears amiss. He is bypassing open shots and forcing other attempts, almost trying to be more maestro than facilitator. At this stage, it has to be about getting back to the basics. With Justise Winslow back, with Josh Richardson emerging, it's not as if James Johnson has to be as precise. All he needs to do, and has to do, is keep it simple. That would appear the basic starting point for rejuvenation.
Q: Should Miami consider Ramon Sessions for some insurance at point guard? His assists-to-turnover ratio is not great. -- Anders, Chilliwack, B. C.
A: I'm still in favor of another true point guard, especially now with Dion Waiters out and Tyler Johnson, when healthy again, to play mostly at shooting guard. But I have to admit that Josh Richardson has shown he can deftly switch to such a role and handle those challenges, as well. So it comes down to the comfort level you have with the current alignment, in Tyler Johnson's injury absence, that basically has Justise Winslow as the backup point guard. Of course, if you move him away from that role, then finding minutes could prove difficult with Justise.
Q: Why would Erik Spoelstra have put Hassan Whiteside back in Monday's game, Ira? It would have forced the Bulls to put in Robin Lopez, who was killing Whiteside. He always seems to get the best of him. Why would Spoelstra risk that continuing with game in the balances? -- Renee.
A: If you want to make the argument of different horses for different courses, I'm fine with that. But it happens so frequently that it just makes you wonder if there is a consistent place for Hassan anymore. Or if there deserves to be one. Yes, Erik Spoelstra for years has sat known quantities with games in the balances, including Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, to name two. And there has been success with the approach. That's what a coach is paid to do . . . live in the moment. Need be, that's why there is a front office and even ownership to smooth things over later. But to me it comes down to this: Do the Miami Heat believe Hassan is a leading man? If they do, then you dictate the matchups, you set the table for how the game is going to play out. However, if you believe that a player consistently puts you at a disadvantage, then perhaps he is not the player believed to be. If Robin Lopez going back into the game was going to put the Heat at a disadvantage, well then that is squarely on Hassan. Because if Hassan cannot win -- or even dominate -- that matchup, when needed, well then your salary cap is in a world of hurt.
Q: Ira, the way I see it, we need to open two roster spots, one so we can keep Derrick Jones Jr. and another for a Dion Waiters/Tyler Johnson replacement, since we applied for the injury exception. Assuming A. J. Hammons is the first, who is next on the bubble? I hate to lose Udonis Haslem, but Jordan Mickey has played too well to cut. Will Rodney McGruder come back sooner than later and solve this problem? -- John.
A: I believe Rodney certainly could ease the situation at shooting guard, but I'm not sure that even if Tyler misses two or three weeks that Rodney will be back any sooner. It would be difficult to cut Mickey, but I do wonder what the long view is with Okaro White. But if this, indeed, is Haslem's final season, then it could lead to some soul searching in the front office if another roster spot is needed. Remember, the Heat have the right to keep Jones for the balance of the season, but only have a limited number of NBA days left on his two-way deal.
Q: Do your readers actually watch Justise Winslow play and see the many positive things he's doing on the floor? -- Ty, Miami.
A: I believe they do, but they also see a team that has moved in different directions in his absences. I'm still not sure about the fit. But I also know this: for all the questions about Justise, the Heat could be at a point where perhaps he gets the minutes that James Johnson is playing, unless James comes around with his play. What the Heat need is at least one contributing versatile forward. With Winslow and Johnson, I'm not sure they're getting that from either at the moment.
Q: James Johnson is basically an energy guy and not a starter in this league. Gotta let the kids play, Bam Adebayo, Derrick Jones Jr. The Bulls pulled away in second quarter when James Johnson came back in. I get it, they just paid him $60 million, but he is not a starter in this league. Ira, how can Heat look so good with Hassan Whiteside and Bam and then not see it much in the last two games? I'm a big Erik Spoelstra fan, but sometimes. -- Douglas.
A: I agree that James is not the same player he was when the Heat went 30-11 over the second half of the season, almost as if he's attempting to justify that four-year, $60 million contract by being more than he needs to be. And it's almost as if Erik Spoelstra is giving James the benefit of the doubt, possibly because of what he believes James can and should be, possibly because it's hard not to root for a player as committed as James. With so many of these recent rotations, it's almost as if Spoelstra believes there has to be a higher level for his team, even with the recent success, a level that includes plenty of James Johnson, some of Justise Winslow and a bit of a different mix than what was in place during most of the seven-game winning streak. Of course, with Tyler Johnson's injury, the rotation will have to evolve, anyway.
Q: Ira, are the Heat really playing Justise Winslow because he makes an impact or because of when he was drafted? Sorry, but the guy just doesn't fit with the team and it makes no sense to constantly change the lineup and disrupt the rhythm guys have just to make it work with him. -- Jack, Boston.
A: Now, with Tyler Johnson likely out, there may be no other choice. But what you have seen in the past two games is a team that had moved in a different direction in Justise's absence and it is going to take an adjustment for both Justise and Erik Spoelstra. The moment when both Justise and Wayne Ellington wound up in the same corner, resulting in a Heat turnover against the Bulls, might have been the perfect example. I do know that you can't simply give up on talent, or on potential talent, because that player has been sidelined. But you can ask, in the long run, whether that talent will ultimately fit. And to come to such conclusions means getting a player out on the court so you can make those assessments.
Q: This team developed a great rhythm with Kelly Olynyk -- Cacey, Tampa.
A: Yes, it did. And I was surprised by the move back to James Johnson in the starting lineup. Initially I thought it was to have a defensive counter against Giannis Antetokounmpo on Sunday (which is why it also might make sense on Wednesday night in Milwaukee), but then was somewhat surprised that it stayed that way Monday in Chicago. Still, to his credit, Kelly was solid off the bench against the Bulls, so perhaps he can continue to thrive in that role, as well. But if it truly is about going with the best possible options, then I think the lineup and rotation will continue to evolve.
Q: So Monday if Miami beats Chicago and the Warriors beat the Cavs, the Heat are tied with the Cavs for third in the East? Not bad for a team nobody talks about nationally. -- Jeff.
A: Which makes you wonder that instead of being a team pulled from the national-television schedule, whether the Heat may be added a few more times along the way. I remember Bam Adebayo recently walking out to the court for warmups expressing to assistant coach Juwan Howard how excited he was to be on national television that night, and then Howard telling him the national game was the following game, at home against the Knicks, unaware that game had actually been pulled from ESPN's schedule. To your point, yes the Heat would be tied, percentage wise, with a victory in Chicago and a Cleveland loss, but, alas, the Cavaliers still would be listed ahead by virtue of a 1-0 lead in the three-game season series. To me, it's not whether the Heat can get a top-three seed, but whether they can hang on for No. 4, which would be a heck of an accomplishment a season after missing the playoffs. But, again, it's early. Very early.
Q: With the Cavaliers in desperate need of defense and a rim defender, timing could be everything. Would the Heat make a move for a certain lottery pick (Nets pick) and what players would Cleveland need to send to the Heat to make a trade like this work? Salivating at the possibilities. Maybe we'd have to add in Justise Winslow (which I'd hate to see) but this deal screams "do it" for both teams. What say you? -- Brian, Fort Lauderdale.
A: First, I'm not sure in January that the Cavaliers are "desperate" about anything, or rather merely bored with the process of pushing until the start of the playoffs. Plus, I'm not sure that planting Hassan Whiteside in the post is what is viewed as best for their offense, considering the move to Kevin Love at center to open the floor. So, if anything, I think the Cavaliers would look more at a situational shot blocker they could sub into a game in defensive situations when needed. But to work through your exercise, and considering the tight spot Cleveland is in against the cap and tax, you would have to send back to salaries to offset the $23.8 million Hassan is earning this season. That likely would require the Heat to take on Tristan Thompson and those three additional seasons remaining on his contract, or some combination of J. R. Smith, Iman Shumpert or Channing Frye. But if you're asking me if the Heat would be willing to deal Hassan for that Nets' 2018 first-round pick, I think it would be something they would consider if they also did not have to take on a lot of additional baggage (which they would).
Q: Ira, I love your work and follow you. And when you are in WQAM I consider it must-listen radio. Your article on the Heat getting the benefit of bad calls from the refs in the last two minutes overlooks one key ingredient. If the calls for the entire game were accurate then would it matter? I realize they don't review the entire game, but logically there are dozens of missed calls a game that lead to the outcome. So the last two minutes are just a small part of the story. It's part of the game and nothing new to the NBA. So the Heat win and I will take it. -- Matt.
A: The point of my Sunday column was not about how the reports are only for the last two minutes, but how they open the window of how a call changing here or there could have such a significant impact on a season as a whole. I also was attempting to show how even if you disagree with the rulings or over-rulings, there still could be valuable lessons to be learned.
Q: The problem with Justise Winslow is he's a poor finisher, too. It means the other team is playing the passing lanes from the get-go. That limits the value you can get in a trade. It doesn't make it impossible to make a trade, just harder. -- Jeff.
A: I'm going to move past the trade element of the question, because at this stage I believe Justise, if anything, would be a plus-one to a trade, not necessarily a centerpiece. Nor do I know if there is or would be anything in the works. But you offer a cogent point about the finishing. While there has been so much focus on Justise's outside shot, one of the most frustrating parts of his equation is how Justise is able to work his way to the rim, only to be unable to finish. Plenty of players have found their ways to successful careers without reliable outside shots, but for most of those players there is the ability to utilize the extra space offered to create angles of attack. To me, Justise's offensive, and perhaps career, success could come down to stepping up as a finisher.
Q: The Heat must be taking a sigh of relief with the season-ending injury to Dion Waiters. One cool million bucks saved -- Masoud, Tucson, Ariz.
A: I can assure you that in no way is among the Heat's concerns at the moment. The entire point of the bonus was to get Dion his desired salary while also optimizing the needed cap space to pick up Wayne Ellington's contract for this season. In fact, if not for the surgery, I believe the Heat would have done everything possible to get Dion his bonus (which cannot be unilaterally paid in situations such as this). The extra payment would not have pushed the Heat into the luxury tax.
Q: If Derrick Jones Jr. is an answer, why was he available on the cheap, at midseason? What do the Heat see that everyone else hasn't? Interesting days. -- Hanan.
A: First, he was with the Suns, an organization hardly known for the best basketball practices (such as cutting Jones to sign Mike James to a standard NBA contract, only to waive James shortly thereafter). Beyond that, the Heat often are willing to take the long view, even for a win-now franchise. For the Heat, it’s not as much about what Jones is now as what he can become, similar with their approach with Tyler Johnson. And if it doesn't pan out, it's not as if all that much was ventured, other than returning Matt Williams Jr. to their own G League affiliate.
Q: If/when healthy, the one thing Dion Waiters does better than anyone on the roster is drive to the basket. He has elite quickness in that regard, and based on last season, has shown the ability to improve his finishing at the basket given an extended run of health. To go far, the Heat will need this skill set to complement the other skills on this team and help avoid the extended scoring droughts the Heat tend to have during games -- Andre, Coral Gables.
A: And that's the thing, the Heat, in their Friday media release, can say all they want, in advance of his ankle surgery, that "a full recovery is expected." But a recovery to the point of where he stood when he was at his Heat best before last season's initial ankle issue? That's why I found it intriguing the Heat's release also read, "We are confident this surgery will resolve all of the issues with the ankle. This process will not just repair the ankle, but also kick-start a whole new reboot for Dion." As in, better than ever. Possivelmente. I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one in this space, but that will be the ultimate question, whether the same expectations can be made as when the Heat extended that four-year, $52 million deal in July. Such a recovery is essential for the Heat on multiple fronts, including then potentially being able to showcase Waiters for trades, should Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson continue to emerge. For all the pronouncements about Waiters' surgery, we won't know until we see him on the court again next season. Dion Waiters without an explosive first step is not the player the Heat signed up in the offseason.
Q: With the $5.5 million exception with Dion Waiters being sidelined, would you stick with what they have, look to see who gets waived or bought out, or go after a free agent vet like, say, a Monta Ellis? I wish Dion well and good recovery, but this may be a blessing in disguise. -- Lester, Tampa.
A: I believe a bit too much is being made about a potential disabled-player exception for this reason: it is not accompanied by an additional roster spot. Remember, the Heat have been carrying their mid-level exception the entire season without utilizing it, so it's not as if there hasn't been the opportunity to further spend. Beyond that, would any wing being brought in play ahead of Goran Dragic, Josh Richardson, Tyler Johnson, Wayne Ellington or even Rodney McGruder? If you do open a roster spot, perhaps with the excising of A. J. Hammons, I'm not sure the preference wouldn't be to continue to grow with Derrick Jones Jr. As for another possible roster spot, I cannot fathom the Heat releasing Udonis Haslem just to bring in a sixth wing. I think you keep the exceptions in your back pocket and open in case of emergency or perhaps if you make a multi-player deal by the Feb. 8 trading deadline and open a roster spot. Remember, applying for a disabled-player exception does not mean you have to utilize it.
Q: Dion Waiters undergoing surgery is the best possible outcome considering the current situation. This clears up a bit of the logjam at shooting guard and also allows Justise Winslow to rejoin the group without many continuity issues, as Waiters is much more ball dominant. -- Eric.
A: Losing a rotation player is never "the best possible outcome." You don't quit on a player just because of an uneven first 30 games of the season while playing on a bum ankle. The Heat have seen the best of Dion Waiters and would relish nothing more than seeing that again.
Q: At 24-17 we are basically at midseason mark with a little cushion in the standings. How much wins do you think we will need to make the playoffs. Also would say that wins against Toronto and Detroit have made up for those losses that got away? What should be the goal for the second half of the season? -- Adrian, Pembroke Pines.
A: OK, that's a bunch to address. I think a winning record likely will be enough to make the playoffs, which would mean 42-40, although I think it could be more like 43-39 to play it safe. To your second question, yes, there have been enough quality wins to allow everyone to move past the losses to the Hawks, Nets and Magic (opening night sure seems like a long time ago). As for the goal going forward, obviously homecourt in the first round would be a bonus, but, to be candid, I believe the Heat could offer a competitive first-round series against just about anyone in the conference, save, perhaps, for Cleveland, which has yet to activate anything close to playoff mode. So I would put it this way: As long as the Heat can avoid an opening-round matchup against the Cavaliers, a second-round appearance certainly could be within the realm.
Q: If you insist a team needs a superstar to close out crunch time with a win, explain how the Heat continue to defy that conventional wisdom? (Against teams with superstars who could. but don't ) -- Jack, Fort Myers.
A: Because this is the regular season and the playoffs are an entirely different animal. During the regular season, with so many back-to-back sets and the congestion of games, teams hardly have time to fixate on opponents' playbooks, thus the success with a variation of the same play against both the Jazz and the Raptors. But in the playoffs, when teams go against it for up to two weeks, the scouting is far more acute, players schooled on what to expect at those moment. That's when individual creativity takes precedence, where a player such as Dwyane Wade flourished. So the question becomes, when it all breaks down on a set, as it often can in the playoffs, do the Heat have such singular creativity? That is a question that remains to be answered, with all due respect to Josh Richardson, Goran Dragic, Tyler Johnson and others.
Q: Pat Riley takes his fair share of the blame for a weak roster, but for the second year in a row, injury has made this team better. When the right lineups are on the floor, this team has been something to deal with. -- Kenny, Pembroke Pines.
A: And that is why where the Heat stand at the moment is somewhat tenuous, with Erik Spoelstra still facing the challenge of working others into the mix. As it is, a lack of bodies has afforded the opportunity to experiment, which opened eyes to the possibilities of playing Hassan Whiteside alongside Bam Adebayo. In addition, I can't see any downside of getting Rodney McGruder back, a player who willingly will wait for any opportunity offered. But when Justise Winslow returns, Spoelstra will have some tough decisions to make.
Q: Derrick Jones Jr. is a keeper. What a find by the Heat. -- Victor.
A: It sure looks that way, especially with the trust Erik Spoelstra has put in him during these recent games. The thought here is that Derrick winds up getting the Heat's 15th and final roster spot once A. J. Hammons is excised around the Feb. 8 NBA trading deadline, if his salary cannot be utilized in a trade. The timing of the remaining NBA days on Jones two-way contract should be enough for him to get him to that stage, with the Heat having the right at any point to convert him to a standard NBA contract. Teammates already are raving about the possibilities of "Airplane Mode," who again took his game to impressive heights Wednesday in Indiana. Tyler Johnson said what has been on display on the court is only a small fraction of what Jones has shown teammates privately on the practice court.
Q: What happened to James Johnson will happens and will happen again. He's an enforcer. Enforcers are what they are. He will probably think twice, but it's a reaction. --Douglas.
A: But "enforcers" tend to be limited contributors who you can survive without. James has made himself essential to the Heat's mix. And with that comes responsibility. Erik Spoelstra said as much before Wednesday's game in Indiana and James admitted as much in his social-media post following the formal announcement of his one-game suspension for his Toronto episode with Serge Ibaka.
Q: Justise Winslow and Dion Waiters don't negatively impact winning. Waiters was a crucial component in Miami's run in the second half of last year. Justise, as a 19-year-old, played a critical role in helping a veteran team to the playoffs two years ago. The problem is that they've both been injured. I think it's too early to give up on Justise. The guy is only 21, and we haven't seen him fully healthy. How many really good players took a few years to develop? Quite a few. Waiters, when healthy, is also one of the Heat's best playmakers and shot creators -- Matt, Boynton Beach.
A: I don't believe the issue is as much about what Dion or Justise are, or aren't. It's about those who have been playing in their places, and only having so many minutes available. So to work one or both back into the rotation means at the cost of someone who currently is producing. For Winslow, who has been cast more frequently in a power role, that only further complicates an already robust power rotation. And even with Waiters, you have to account for how Josh Richardson, Tyler Johnson, Goran Dragic and Wayne Ellington are playing at the moment. If the Heat truly are a meritocracy, then play whoever deserves to play, with all involved having to understand that could mean minimal minutes or no minutes at times. I'm not sure that would be how Dion would view his situation, or even Justise.
Q: I was watching the Toronto game and my only thought on Bam Adebayo was, "Wow!" It was a transcendent performance. What did you say? -- Joe, Jupiter.
A: What I say is that it has been a long, long time since I've seen such a combination of fury and skill in a Heat uniform. And, even for a rookie, maturity. Look, I'm not going to get caught up in this chorus of whether he will supplant Hassan Whiteside as the Heat's leading big man or deserves an abundance of minutes. Because I think we all can agree that it is one thing to do that on one night, another to do it consistently. But what Bam provides at the moment is the type of energy burst that Erik Spoelstra can utilize for short bursts or extended minutes. What everybody on his roster -- everybody -- has to appreciate is that the minutes will fluctuate based on need, injuries, opponent and performance. Too much, I believe, is being made about where Bam stands in the Heat's power hierarchy. My answer to that would be that it will change week to week, game to game, minute to minute. So appreciate what is available, what can be accomplished, and, like you say, offer the occasional "wow" when you see something like Tuesday night's 16 points, 15 rebounds and five blocked shots.
Q: Ira, from some footage shown of Rodney McGruder getting some shooting reps at practice, it's noticeable that he has vastly improved his shooting stroke and has even put on some muscle mass. Do you see him starting at shooting guard alongside Richardson? Tyler Johnson has played well, but he is a great bench player and I'm of the belief that Justise Winslow would best be suited as our back up point guard. Wayne Ellington needs and has earned major minutes, which begs the question: Is Dion Waiters an ill fit on this current team? -- Nick, Coral Springs.
A: Your take is on point on many levels. While the Heat refuse to discuss return dates with Rodney, it is clear, based on his exposure at practice, that he rapidly is moving toward a return. And I do agree with the notion of starting him on the wing alongside Josh Richardson, especially now that Josh has become more of a scoring threat, offsetting the limitations in Rodney's game. I'm not sure if I wouldn't consider Josh more of a guard, but that delineation is moot, depending mostly on the defensive assignments and even the foul situation at any particular moment. Also, I agree about Tyler being best suited as a bench boost. But now the Heat have to take his shoulder issue into account. As for your take with Ellington, I believe it is independent of Dion. And don't sleep on what Waiters has done before this ankle issue. He still can be a threat. Of all the rotation challenges you raise, Justise might be the most challenging puzzle piece. You can make him a facilitator all you want, but there are very few point guards in the league, starters or reserves, who lack consistent extended range.
Q: Ira, it seems that the Heat play on a more consistent level without Justise Winslow and Dion Waiters. Do you think that an offseason trade of these two for a star is possible? -- Julio, Cape Coral.
A: I believe Justise will always have value, if only because of his defensive prowess. But because he is on the rookie scale, he likely would be a plus-one chip as part of a trade to either unload a salary or a multi-player trade. As for Dion, I can't fathom anyone moving toward a player with a balky ankle and three seasons left on a four-year, $52 million deal. The only way for Waiters to emerge as an offseason chip would be to both bypass ankle surgery and then reemerge as a contributor over the final months of the season. As it is, we're not even sure that Dion could be back by the Feb. 8 trading deadline. Beyond that, at moments like this, with Tyler Johnson ailing, Dion could come in handy.
Q: Credit Josh Richardson's last-second winning layup to multiple shooters having to be covered, leaving him one-on-one. Six Heat players scored in double figures in Sunday's victory over the Jazz. Last season, the Heat were the only team to have eight players average double-figure scoring. So the question becomes: Is a deep, balanced, roster, where the salaries are spread evenly, an alternative to two or three whales that consume 80 percent of the cap? It seems that either approach results in close to the same team scoring average, but the deeper roster offers greater lineup options, better protection against injuries, fewer minutes per player in a long season -- and rewarding contributions to more players that reduces hero ball and makes for better trust among players. -- Jack, Fort Myers.
A: That all comes down to the destination. Last season was a good example, that the ultimate ensemble approach got you to 41-41. Yes, I know there were injuries, but, as we're learning this season, that seemingly always is part of the equation. And while Josh certainly created a memorable moment at the end of Sunday's game, that was against a team that looks as if it's headed to the lottery. Against playoff competition, that is when you need an elite go-to scorer. Perhaps Josh evolves into that, but he certainly is not there yet. That's what a "whale" does for you, a Kevin Durant or Gordon Hayward or Kyrie Irving. It gives you elite scoring against elite defense. With this approach, it's almost as if Pat Riley is saying that competing for the second round of the playoffs is good enough. And that is not the Pat Riley I remember. So, yes, an elite star has to remain the end game, even amid enjoyable stretches such as this.
Q: Josh Richardson has been great and I’m really excited about his future. However, do you think that while he is obviously capable of playing small forward, he is somewhat marginalized by playing out of position? Erik Spoelstra essentially created the idea of position-less basketball. However, there are positions for a reason, just as there are weight classes in boxing for a reason. A fighter might be capable of competing at 170 pounds, but he is at his absolute best at 155. I understand the logjam at shooting guard creates the necessity to adjust, but do you think the plan is to make sure Josh is the starter at shooting guard for the foreseeable future. I believe Josh Richardson would be even better playing his natural position rather than turn him into a small forward past this season. -- Isaiah, Miami.
A: With this turning into the ever-shrinking NBA, I believe, at least at this juncture, that you can get away with Josh cast in such a role. Plus, what he really is doing is often taking the toughest defensive challenge at any of the wing positions. As long as Goran Dragic, Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington are around and playing as they have recently, all three deserve quality minutes. So you utilize your roster to the best advantage. Now, if you look at Goran as an older player, then it comes down to who you eventually cast at point guard. My thought is that if you are going to downsize Josh, he well could go from small forward to point guard. Neither Tyler Johnson nor Ellington have the handle to play point guard, and Tyler is undersized (far more than Josh) to play small forward. In the end, Josh's positional delineation, at least with the Heat, will come down to who he is surrounded by. The irony is that he is listed as a "frontcourt" player for All-Star voting purposes, yet, as you point out, he might the leanest player in that weight class.
Q: Ira, I can't agree with your recent comments regarding Justise Winslow and Erik Spoelstra having to find a successful way to mix Winslow into the rotation. Unfortunately, Winslow hasn't been particularly successful either due to his inability to score or due to injury. His situation is unfortunately playing out similar to Josh McRoberts, where we haven't gotten everything we need when he is on the floor and then he is not able to play due to injury. This may sound harsh, but I don't think that Spoelstra should spend much time, effort and energy on the 11th or 12th man in the rotation. - Raul, Fort Lauderdale.
A: That all comes down to where you believe the Heat stand. If you believe that, at the moment, the Heat have their rotation of the future, have enough to compete, legitimately, for a conference championship, then I would agree that it would not be the time to move into salvage mode. But if you believe that more, even now, is needed from your roster, that there are NBA-level, high-level skills within Winslow, then it is way too early to merely cast him aside. I am not advocating the same type of role he had before this latest injury, but for a team that has found minutes the past two games for Derrick Jones Jr., I still believe that can be a place for Justise. The real question is how significant a place.
Q: It seems like the Heat play better without Hassan Whiteside on the offensive side particularly. I like him, but what's the best we can get for him in a possible trade? -- B. S.
A: First, I have to say I was somewhat surprised that Erik Spoelstra went back to Hassan in Sunday's fourth quarter, after what I thought were several lethargic previous stints in the game. I know it was only for 2:44 of the period, but Spoelstra did try to make it work with Hassan. And then he played to win, which is what a coach and a team are supposed to do. I also can appreciate Whiteside's frustrations. As for the better-with-or-without questions, it comes down to whether Hassan is viewed as an elite-level talent, because you don't give up on those when you find them in today's NBA. I'm still not sure how far a team with Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson as its future can go. So it comes down to this: What is the ultimate goal and upside of this team? If it is potentially making it to the second round of the playoffs, then what is in place, even with Whiteside on the bench, is good enough. If not, then you either have to get elite talent (or perhaps significant cap relief) in return or have to try to make it work. It wasn't as if the Heat went into this season lamenting what to do with Hassan. So should a couple of uneven weeks upon his return sway a decision?
Q: Ira, Josh Richardson has the goods. Do you see him eventually taking on the ultimate leadership role for this team? -- Adrian, Pembroke Pines.
A: It's way too early for that, as the Heat learned last season, when Dion Waiters seemingly was granted such standing. The talent on this ensemble team is so even that I'm not sure there will be a designated go-to player. In fact, among the reasons the Heat were able to free Richardson for Sunday's winning basket is that the Jazz didn't know where the point of attack would be. That could be the approach going forward, as the Heat continue to find a way to close out these close games.
Q: Coincidence that every time Justise Winslow is out of lineup for a time the Heat go on a good run? -- William.
A: I've been getting a lot of this lately. My counter would be that what has to follow is finding a way to mix Winslow into the success. Perhaps that is in less of a featured role, perhaps more as a defensive stopper. Because of Josh Richardson is to emerge as a leading scorer for the Heat, then asking him to also be a leading defender at this stage might be a bit much.
Q: Something has to be done about this frontcourt: too much talent, not enough minutes. It's a good problem to have, and I like that players have to compete for minutes. But I feel eventually it could turn problematic. Kelly Olynyk has been killing it, so obviously he deserves minutes. James Johnson has shown with his versatility that he deserves to play. When he is on, this team looks great. Bam Adebayo is still finding his way, but based on his play, his effort and potential, he deserves some minutes. Whiteside brings a low-post presence, defense and rebounding. But he is being paid over $20 million a season and playing 20 minutes a game. He is still getting used to the brace, so he is putting on a good face, but I wouldn't expect it to last forever. I think we could find more cost-effective options to provide defense and rebounding for 20 minutes a game. --John.
A: I believe this will sort itself out the way it was playing out earlier in the season, between Whiteside's knee issues -- with Adebayo getting minimal minutes, if any at all. That in no way means that Adebayo doesn't have a future, but rather that at the moment he is the lesser of the options. I love the youthful zeal, but there have been many sequences when he has been out of position defensively. If this team is going to be playing at a level in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff race, then it simply might be too lofty a level for Adebayo's current development. So if you take the 96 minutes available in the power rotation, between center and power forward, I believe they can be comfortably divided between Whiteside, Olynyk and Johnson. The rub would be if the Heat were to try to again work Justise Winslow back into that mix.
Q: I think fans wanting to move on from Justise Winslow and Dion Waiters are being shortsighted and/or overestimating where this team is. It's good that we're winning games, but this stretch has included two blowout losses, scraping by an Orlando team in freefall, an overtime win over the struggling Knicks, and a tight win over the shorthanded Pistons, who subsequently got blown out in Philly. Winslow and Waiters will likely have to play different/diminished roles when they return, but I think the team will only get better with them, particularly additional ballhandling and Winslow's defense and rebounding. Seus pensamentos? -- Ruben, Davie.
A: You most cogent point centers on the issue of "different/diminished roes." Basically, several players have stepped up amid the absences of Waiters and Winslow, perhaps moving themselves ahead in the hierarchy. For example, where would Waiters current rate amid the wing rotation of Josh Richardson, Tyler Johnson, Goran Dragic and Wayne Ellington? Would he be willing/accepting of scraps? With Winslow it's even more complex. As mentioned in the response to the first of today's questions, it's not as if there are readily available minutes for Winslow in the power rotation, considering the squeeze that might be impending for Adebayo.
Q: What's your take on Wayne Ellington for Sixth Man Award? -- Sam, London.
A: Probably too much of a specialist for that. The irony is that the more fitting award might be Most Improved Player.
Q: Do we have any plans on keeping Wayne Ellington? He's going to be unrestricted in the offseason and we're currently over the cap. Seeing as we don't have his Bird Rights, I'm not really seeing a way we can keep him unless he decides the veteran minimum is all he needs. He's our best shooter by a mile, and he might be our fifth-best player at this point and I'm not sure we can afford to lose him for nothing. If re-signing him isn't an option at all is trading him a possibility? -- Nico, Charlotte.
A: It is way, way too early to worry about such concerns. What the Heat's cap situation is now is not necessarily what it will be in July. Plus, the Heat do have Early-Bird Rights with Wayne, so there will be a mechanism to retain him above the cap. With Wayne earning $6.3 million this season, the Heat would be able to offer Wayne a starting salary of about $11 million next season, which should lead to workable negotiations. Wayne also could wait one more season for full Bird Rights, after a third season with the team. Basically, if both sides want to make it work, there will be a workable path back to the Heat for Wayne.
Q: Dion Waiters doesn't need a second opinion on his ankle. It will be what it was last March-April, he needs surgery. He played the odds, got his set-for-life contract, and has been hobbled since October. Blame him, nope. Yet when it was badly injured again, it was a no-brainer. If done now, he can be back in time for camp. -- Skip, Tampa.
A: It would seem that way, especially with the Heat finding their way in his absence and with three seasons remaining on his contract. But you can't force a player to have surgery if he can find another avenue to recovery, and you can't necessarily go forward with surgery when a team is laying out in excess of $10 million for you to play that season. This is not as simple as deciding whether a player should start or come off the bench. The reality is that the Heat likely will wind up with only three seasons of a healthy (they hope) Waiters on their $52 million investment, essentially making him a $17 million player.
Q: What is the long-term plan for Justise Winslow? We've run out of cap space for guys who aren't taking the minimum and unless we're going to go into the luxury tax to keep him next offseason, we're losing him regardless of if he turns it around. If we have no plan on re-signing him, there's zero reason to keep him and he should be traded while his value is still there. -- Joshua.
A: Again, too soon for such worries, with Justise already locked into a $3.4 million salary for 2018-19. And even then, as a restricted 2019 free agent, the qualifying offer would be $4.7 million. While the Heat could offer an extension prior to the start of next season, there likely would have to be a great body of work to assess, in light of the current missed time with the knee issue after last season's shoulder surgery. At this stage, the Heat can't possibly have a read on Justise's long-terms prospects, just as Justise likely doesn't have a read on how he fits in going forward. So now -- and possible even next season -- we wait.
Q: Last summer Pat Riley passed out large contracts but dodged questions about trades until mid-December. He wanted to see if last spring's 30-11 record would carry over to this season. It hasn't, but the record is getting better and hope remains. Will Riley have patience or decide he's seen enough? -- Jack, Fort Myers.
A: Pat Riley almost always errs on the side of caution, at least when it comes to moves during the regular season, when continuity is so essential. Just as he showed belief in his roster at this stage last year, I would have to believe that is the case with a substantially better record this time around. Here's the thing, when he signed James Johnson to that $60 million contract, he effectively knew that the odds of trading a 30-year-old were limited. As for Kelly Olynyk, that appears to be emerging as a value deal. To me, the question mark is Dion Waiters. But the only way to turn Dion into a commodity is to show that he is healthy. And that could require ankle surgery that wouldn't have him back on his NBA feet until next season. If anything, to me the most significant trade chips are not the players signed this past summer, but rather Justise Winslow, Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic. I am in no way advocating or speculating on such potential trades, just saying that those are the players most likely to receive the most external scrutiny. The interesting angle of keeping it together is that the ceiling would appear to be, at maximum, first-round success. Such are not the type of stakes one typically associates with Pat Riley.
Q: Ira, it is clear that Dion Waiters was the issue for the Heat. The offense looks much smoother and fluid with him out. Either he needs to be sent to a bench role or be traded. -- Mac, Toronto.
A: I think singling out any single player is a stretch, considering that much of the recent success has come against second-tier opposition. What I will say is that this current style could be a challenge with both Dion and Justise Winslow on the floor, when players have to be able to both quickly move the ball and consistently present a scoring threat. Now, that doesn't mean Dion can't be featured in a manner that suits his skill set. But it does look like both Dion and Justise set up more as specialists for this team than fulcrums.
Q: Kelly Olynyk is what the Heat thought they were getting in Josh McRoberts. -- Andrew, Coral Gables.
Um: sim. And the irony is that Kelly also arrived somewhat reluctant to shoot, a habit that Josh seemingly never could break. We'll never know what Josh could have been had it not been for those injuries. But Kelly's success absolutely shows what the vision was with Josh when the Heat went in that direction. In both cases, the hair at times could be spectacular. Lately, Kelly's play, at times, has been, as well.
Q: Kelly Olynyk is starting to look and feel like a good free agent pickup. -- Douglas.
A: I think Kelly got a raw deal over the opening months of the season because of all the talk of the Heat returning intact with the roster that closed 30-11 over the second half of last season. You just don't add as unique a talent as Kelly and pick up where you left off. So much of that uniqueness was on display Wednesday against the Pistons, including emerging chemistry with Hassan Whiteside. And, still, it also was a game when Hassan played only 17:04 and Bam Adebayo only 10:14. So I'm still not sure how this plays out going forward. But I have believed this since the start of the Big Three era: Erik Spoelstra will, if given ample time to evaluate, find a way to bring the best out of a player. That is what we are starting to see with Kelly. We very well could wind up revisiting the $50 million-plus signings of Kelly, Dion Waiters and James Johnson in July and determine that Kelly is the ultimate value.
Q: Does the win over Detroit despite Hassan Whiteside's limited action signify if we really need him in the long run? -- Nathanial.
A: A single NBA game is signifying of nothing, unless perhaps it is a Game 7 of a playoff series. The Heat were able to get by with minimal minutes, rebounds and points from Hassan largely because Andre Drummond was unable to play. I'm not sure if Kelly Olynyk, Bam Adebayo or anyone on this roster is as up to battling Drummond for 35-plus minutes that Hassan. While the Heat were minus-two with Hassan on the floor Wednesday, the reality is they only were plus-three with Olynyk.
Q: If we ever figure out our consistency problems, fourth place in the East isn't out of the question. Some of these other teams -- the Knicks, Sixers, Pacers -- are starting to show their true colors, and we're only a couple games back. -- John.
A: It certainly isn't. But get back to me after Sunday's home game against the Jazz. If the Heat are on a four-game winning streak, then there will be a place for talking the talk. But if not, keep in mind that after Sunday's close of this three-game homestand, 11 of the next 14 are on the road, against some pretty good teams.
Q: Is 2018 turning into the year of the knee brace? -- Stuart.
A: As in Ryan Tannehill for the Dolphins and Hassan Whiteside for the Heat? I have no idea what will happen from the Tannehill perspective with the Dolphins, but I can totally see the Heat's point of view with Whiteside, considering their investment in him, and therefore in his knee. Hassan is not the first Heat player who has complained about having to wear such a bulky brace, but the others have found a way to play through the discomfort. A professional athlete is constantly charged with fighting through adversity, be it travel, fatigue, injury/illness or all the contraptions and gizmos viewed as protection for long-term health. This also is when you get to take measure, of how LeBron James played for the Heat while forced to wear a mask, of how Chris Bosh moved forward with a bulky knee brace of his own, of how Tim Hardaway showed up in the absence of cartilage in his knee and excruciating knee-on-knee pain, of how Alonzo Mourning pushed forward in the absence of anti-inflammatories and with only one kidney -- a transplanted one, at that -- in the wake of his disease. There is nothing wrong with Hassan's candor about the discomfort of the brace. It is limiting -- on purpose. But playing through discomfort and inconvenience is what you sign up for when you sign up to play for more than $250,000 a game. So you brace for your future, and you move on.
Q: What do you hope to see in the near future? Hopefully a win streak from the Heat. -- Darryl, Fitzgerald. Ga.
A: A home winning streak, some sign that when the Heat look at their schedule they view playing at AmericanAirlines Arena as some sort of refuge. You don't make the playoffs with a losing home record, as the Heat currently carry. After the debacle that was Friday's capitulation against the visiting Nets and then the fortitude shown in the victory the following night in Orlando, the Heat have to approach home games with the same resolve as they've shown away from AmericanAirlines Arena. At this point, the showing in some games at home has bordered on humiliating, including that one on Friday night against the Nets and the previous home debacle against the Pacers. This homestand against the Pistons, Knicks and Jazz features three winnable games. A good place to start would be winning them all, which also is the only way to exit the homestand with a winning home record.
Q: I don't get the idea of letting go of Matt Williams Jr. The kid is a 3-point machine and can easily score from deep. -- V. P.
A: Because a team looking to make the playoffs also has to live in the moment, and the belief was that Derrick Jones Jr. could be closer to contributing. It is not unusual for the Heat to cycle back to prospects, as they previously did with Rodney McGruder. So I am not sure that the final Heat chapter has been written with Matt. And this also was a way to astutely maximize two-way days for players under such contracts, which will make the Heat's approach interesting with Derrick Walton Jr. in advance of the Jan. 15 deadline to sign a replacement player to a two-way deal.
Q: How about Marc Gasol for Hassan Whiteside? -- David, Fort Lauderdale.
A: While I rarely mull trade suggestions, if only because it comes down to teams' private deliberations, I have been intrigued by this one-on-one swap possibility in light of the Grizzlies' uneven run and the Heat's move somewhat away from Hassan's power style (and ongoing development of Bam Adebayo). The salaries are basically similar, as are the remaining years, although Gasol is four years older, with plenty of international wear. Still, his style would seem to fit exactly what Erik Spoelstra has been seeking from his big men. Still, there is one huge, oversized factor at play, and that well could be a deal breaker -- the fact that Gasol was seen as the driving force in ending the Memphis coaching tenure of Spoelstra close friend David Fizdale. That could end any discussion before it ever may start. In some ways, the Grizzlies consider Whiteside one that got away, after the Heat poached him from the Grizzlies' developmental-league roster. From a basketball standpoint, it could represent a fresh start for both teams and both players. The Grizzlies, though, likely would be looking to shed salary if they were to move on from Gasol. Now, if a team would be willing to take on Chandler Parsons that might be another story. But from a cap standpoint, Gasol-Parsons for Whiteside-Tyler Johnson only would work once the 2018-19 cap calendar begins. As with all of these notions, is stands as mere speculation with seemingly little basis in reality.
Q: Why do the Heat not allow Bam Adebayo and Hassan Whiteside to play together? James Johnson could easy play small forward. I think the team would perform better. -- Tony, Tallahassee.
A: For whatever reason, the Heat seemingly have decided that James Johnson is only a power forward, which limits the rotation flexibility. As for Bam and Hassan, I agree that it appears to be redundant to have both on the court at the same time, plus it's not as if limited minutes are a detriment to Adebayo at this early stage (he still often is out of position defensively). That's why Hassan went to the bench in Orlando in the opening period when he saw Bam entering, surprised that just for the second time this season Erik Spoelstra had decided to play the two together.
Q: Are Derrick Jones Jr.'s 26 days of NBA eligibility based on the number of days that Matt Williams Jr. spent with the team or the amount of time remaining until 10-day contracts start? -- Jeff.
A: Neither. Players on two-way contracts are allowed a maximum of 45 days in the NBA per season. However, that amount is prorated, based on when a player signs such a deal. The timing of the signing of Jones left that amount at 26 days, regardless of the time Williams had spent in the NBA or the Jan. 5 start of the 10-day contract period. Based on how the Heat play it -- with days the team is given off not counting against that calendar -- it is possible the Heat could slow play Jones' remaining days until the Feb. 8 NBA trading deadline, when their roster picture should come into clearer focus.
Q: Derrick Jones Jr. has good length and hops, so I think it can be a good addition in the athleticism department and, well, youth. -- C. F.
A: The latter point is significant, with Jones still only 20. With Jan. 15 the final day that teams can sign players to two-way contracts, it just adds another level of scrutiny with a prospect for a team that will have to send two of its next four first-round picks to the Suns to complete that 2015 trade for Goran Dragic. The Suns had been high on Jones until their hand was forced by the initial breakout success this season of Mike James. With Jones to have more than three weeks of NBA time available on his NBA portion of his two-way contract, it allows the Heat to have insurance in hand if Dion Waiters (or even Justise Winslow) is out for an additional extended period. Jones, in some ways, reminds of Gerald Green. And the Heat, at least for a season, did find a way to make it work with Green. The bottom line was that Matt Williams Jr. was unable to recapture the 3-point stroke he displayed when with the Heat during summer league and training camp. But it also is not unusual for the Heat to cycle back to prospects, so that book might not necessarily be closed. Williams, following the NBA waiver period, yet could wind up back with the Heat's developmental-league affiliate, the G League Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Q: I know as Heat fans we lament that we don't have a leading man, a closer. I really like Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson. No offense to Hassan Whiteside, any chance the Heat can force feed Tyler and J-Rich to feature them more in an offensive role to see what they can do? -- Mike, Pembroke Pines.
A: Actually, I believe that is exactly what the Heat are doing. This has become a perimeter-based league, and it is essential that teams have perimeter-based talent in the pipeline. Lacking those two aforementioned first-round picks due to the Suns, the Heat need to know that as Goran Dragic ages that there can be perimeter contributors. But there also has to be a balance, and that is where I believe the issues of offensive consistency rest. This team still can struggle for scoring, and high-percentage post points are one way to address that. There seemingly has to be more of a balance to get Whiteside involved. It is not as if he has done anything to dissuade that element of the offense.
Q: I keep wondering why Erik Spoelstra keeps getting a free pass. He tolerates inconsistent play as well as lingering injuries, which seem to keep guys out forever. I can't see this team ever winning anything with him as the coach. He is too low-key and doesn't seem to motivate the team. I can't see Gregg Popovich standing for this nonsense. -- Fred.
A: I assuming by "can't see him winning anything" you mean beyond the two NBA titles and four Eastern Conference championships? Assuming you are referring to the years since he had LeBron James, and even Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, I'll bite. I can tell you that no one in the organization is more infuriated by the inconsistency. All you need to do is watch him on the sidelines of those games or in his media sessions. But beyond that, yes, when a team is this wild with its competitive swings, that absolutely reflects on the staff and even preparation. Spoelstra acknowledges that, and has vowed to work toward something far more consistent. As for the injuries, that is completely out if his, or any other coach's, hands. Those calls are made by the medical staff, and sometimes the players themselves.
Boatos sobre o comércio NBA 2017: As opções de Julius Randle incluem Detroit Pistons e Miami Heat.
Notícias sobre Julius Randle esta semana foram sobre o seu futuro incerto com o Los Angeles Lakers. Apesar de seu crescimento com a equipe, parece que os Lakers estão tomando uma direção diferente agora. Randle, por outro lado, ainda pode encontrar opções jogando tanto para o Detroit Pistons quanto para o Miami Heat.
Os Lakers nestas últimas temporadas foram sobre a construção de sua equipe para o seu futuro. Especialmente considerando sua equipe jovem, Randle costumava desempenhar um grande papel para eles. Parece agora que os Lakers estão continuando sua estratégia de desenvolver seu núcleo jovem apenas sem Randle.
Adrian Wojnarowski, um dos respeitados colunistas da Associação Nacional de Basquete (NBA), mencionou que Randle pode estar começando a procurar por outras equipes que possam aceitá-lo, de acordo com a Lakers Nation. A equipe terá que negociá-lo antes do prazo final de negociação em fevereiro ou esperar até que seu contrato termine no próximo verão.
Se eles planejam negociá-lo, a chave seria fazê-lo para uma escolha na primeira rodada para alinhá-lo com os planos da equipe. De acordo com o LA Sports Hub, duas equipes que têm essas escolhas e podem trocar por Randle são os Pistons and the Heat.
Indiscutivelmente, os Pistons já estão se saindo bem, vencendo a maioria dos times favoritos dos torcedores populares. Tobias Harris, um dos homens responsáveis por suas vitórias, vem se destacando como seu atacante. Naturalmente, no entanto, ele joga pequeno para a frente e para aliviar um pouco de carga dele, eles poderiam conseguir Randle. Pistons podem adicionar alguém como Avery Bradley enquanto, é claro, jogar na primeira rodada de 2018, enquanto o Lakers pode adicionar Jordan Clarkson, cujo contrato está prestes a terminar de qualquer forma.
Por outro lado, o Heat pode ser uma opção menor. Eles não têm exatamente os jogadores que os Lakers precisam, mas podem definitivamente usar sua potencial escolha na primeira rodada de 2019. Randle só poderia fazer uma diferença mínima, mas o Heat poderia trabalhar alguma coisa. No entanto, o Lakers e Heat sempre podem ver algo apto para ambos quando necessário.
Por enquanto, estas são apenas especulações. Nem Randle nem a diretoria do Lakers fizeram uma declaração sobre o assunto. Tudo o que os fãs podem fazer agora é esperar e ver o que os Lakers decidem fazer.
Heat drop below tax with two trades, keep Whiteside.
Erik Spoelstra says Thurdsday's NBA trading deadline for the Heat was about being able to be flexible with personnel moving forward.
Erik Spoelstra says Thurdsday's NBA trading deadline for the Heat was about being able to be flexible with personnel moving forward.
The upshot from Thursday's NBA trading deadline for the Miami Heat is that they dropped below the luxury-tax threshold and retained center Hassan Whiteside.
After a pair of minor trades before the 3 p. m. deadline, Heat President Pat Riley reached his goal of getting the Heat out of the punitive luxury tax, which affords the team greater flexibility in personnel maneuvering going forward.
The greater statement, though, might have been holding on to Whiteside despite no guarantees of being able to retain the mercurial shot-blocking center in the offseason as a free agent.
"These are interesting times when you get right up to the trade deadline," coach Erik Spoelstra as the Heat were completing their maneuvering. "We feel we need the roster flexibility more than anything right now.
"We wanted to have that flexibility."
The road to tax avoidance that began with the early-season trade of Mario Chalmers to the Memphis Grizzlies and then Tuesday's trade of Chris Andersen to Memphis was completed with Thursday deals that sent seldom-used power forward Jarnell Stokes to the New Orleans Pelicans and just-acquired guard Brian Roberts to the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Miami Heat traded forward Jarnell Stokes to the New Orleans Pelicans and guard Brian Roberts to the Portland Trail Blazers, getting below the NBA's punitive luxury tax at Thursday's deadline.
The Miami Heat traded forward Jarnell Stokes to the New Orleans Pelicans and guard Brian Roberts to the Portland Trail Blazers, getting below the NBA's punitive luxury tax at Thursday's deadline.
Roberts, acquired from Memphis in Tuesday's trade for Andersen, completed his first and only practice with the Heat on Thursday afternoon, never appearing in a game with the team.
Stokes was sent to the Pelicans along with $700,000 in cash, which more than covers the balance of his salary for the season, for a 2018 second-round pick so heavily protected that the obligation almost certainly will be extinguished without ever being forwarded.
Roberts was sent to the Trail Blazers along with a 2021 second-round pick in return for cash considerations.
As a result of the moves, the Heat now have dealt all of their second-round draft picks through 2021.
With additional trades possibly to follow by Thursday's 3 p. m. NBA trading deadline, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra on Wednesday cast Tuesday's trade of Chris Andersen to the Memphis Grizzlies as a matter of bolstering his team's shorthanded backcourt.
"We felt that we needed to shore up a little.
With additional trades possibly to follow by Thursday's 3 p. m. NBA trading deadline, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra on Wednesday cast Tuesday's trade of Chris Andersen to the Memphis Grizzlies as a matter of bolstering his team's shorthanded backcourt.
"We felt that we needed to shore up a little.
With the trading of Chalmers, Andersen, Stokes, Roberts and previously Zoran Dragic and Shabazz Napier since the 2015 offseason, the Heat trimmed the needed $11 million from their payroll to drop below the tax.
With Thursday's moves, the Heat opened two roster spots that now either can be filled with players on 10-day contracts or by acquiring players bought out by other teams in advance of the March 1 deadline for playoff eligibility.
Because the Heat remain on the cusp of re-entering the 2015-16 luxury tax, which is not computed until season's end, they will not be able to immediately fill both of their available roster spots for the balance of the season.
The dip below the luxury tax was a forward-thinking approach that better positions the Heat for 2016 free agency, opening possibilities with sign-and-trade transactions and salary-cap exceptions.
The question next becomes how much of the Heat's available salary-cap space, which is expected to be in excess of $37 million, the team would be willing to commit to Whiteside. Because he does not hold Bird Rights, with only two seasons with the Heat, any new Heat contract for Whiteside would have to be built off of cap space.
Barely an hour before Roberts was dealt, Spoelstra had spoken of Roberts' ability to provide the Heat with badly needed outside shooting and also provide depth at point guard, with Tyler Johnson possibly to miss the balance of the season following recent shoulder surgery.
In the wake of the Roberts trade, the Heat remain with just Goran Dragic and Beno Udrih as options at point guard.
The Heat were active on the phones prior to the deadline, with numerous reports citing an interest to deal forward Josh McRoberts, whose contract carries beyond this summer's free agency. It is possible the Heat revisit a McRoberts trade in the offseason, prior to the July 1 start of free agency.
Stokes, who is on an expiring contract and will be a free agent in the offseason, was acquired in November from the Grizzlies in the trade that shipped out Chalmers. Stokes had played sparingly with the Heat, spending most of his time with the team's NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He participated in Saturday's D-League All-Star Game in Toronto. With the cash included in the Stokes deal, the Heat effectively are out of money to include in trades until July's start of the NBA's next personnel calendar year.
The deadline came amid the Heat's uncertainty with forward Chris Bosh, who is dealing with blood clots for the second consecutive year at the All-Star break and has been away from the team.
The Heat resume their schedule Friday at Philips Arena against the Atlanta Hawks, before returning for a Saturday night game at AmericanAirlines Arena against the Washington Wizards.
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