ASK IRA: Did Bam Adebayo shrink in big Heat moment against Cavaliers?
Q: There were 69 rebounds in the game against Cleveland and Bam Adebayo had one. Cody Zeller, who wasn’t even in the league this year, had eight. Kevin Love had eight. Only two Heat players didn’t get a defensive rebound, Bam and Gabe Vincent. Jarett Allen had 12 for Cleveland. – Anderson.
A: I truncated this question a bit, because we get the point. But this also is one of those things where if the Heat would have made one or two more shots, Bam Adebayo’s lone rebound hardly would have been a talking point. But I do agree that your best players have to be at their best in the biggest games. Some silly foul trouble by Bam kept him from doing that. But if you do choose to take such measure then take measure after Friday in the rematch, when it is now clear that there has to be more from Bam. Somehow, this season has found a way to bring some of the worst out of Heat players at all the wrong times.
Q: Ira, how does Jimmy Butler go to Los Angeles on Tuesday night for the Pau Gasol ceremony when he has a game in Miami on Wednesday night? – Joel.
A: By private plane. To me, this is like those reports about players being out late the nights before games (or Michael Jordan, back in the day, golfing the day of games). It makes no matter as long as the player can offer at least his typical contribution. Players’ free time is their free time. The Heat’s veterans did not have practice Tuesday, so that left the day open for Jimmy Butler to do as he pleased. Overall, it probably was a safer endeavor than when Chris “Birdman” Andersen several years back went alligator hunting on his day off with Udonis Haslem.
Q: Under no circumstances is Cody Zeller a better player than Omer Yurtseven, and I’m sick of seeing Miami overvalue guys that wouldn’t even thrive in China. Why are the Heat always going for blue-collar players, over guys like Omer that have a higher ceiling? – Maria, Fort Lauderdale.
A: Because at this moment it is about who is more playoff ready. Cody Zeller brings an experience element that Omer Yurtseven lacks. Omer assuredly has the higher upside, but at the moment there also remains a learning curve. Cody is less likely to get into the way, willing to play solely as a complementary piece, and then get out of the way. It certainly was telling when Bam Adebayo and Cody Zeller both were called for a pair of early fouls Wednesday night and Erik Spoelstra instead rushed Cody back into the game.
