ASK IRA: Will game against Bulls show if 2022-23 Heat are even average?
Q: I had to laugh when you posted all the readers who said the Miami Heat should tank their play-in game against the Chicago Bulls. The fact is they were supposedly in playoff mode and still were unable to beat a mediocre Atlanta Hawks team. The Heat are a deeply flawed team with no power forward; an undersized center, who wilts under pressure; a player in Jimmy Butler who seemingly plays hard only when he feels like it; a G League starting point guard; and Max Strus who can’t hit the right side of a barn. Jim Mora’s iconic rant applies to the Miami Heat: “Playoffs? Don’t talk about playoffs! You kidding me? Playoffs? I hope we can win a game!” – Jeff, Plantation.
A: In the NBA, where 16 of the 30 teams make the playoffs, you need only be an average team to advance to that level. We’re about to see if this has even been an average season. Yes, the Bulls came on late in the season. But you are talking about a 40-42 team. If you can’t beat a 40-42 team, then what are you?
Q: Was kinda surprised to hear some ESPN pundits blaming Erik Spolestra for the Heat’s problems, going so far as to say a coaching change was needed. Without blaming players, who would you say is the most responsible for the Heat’s lackluster season: coaching, front office, or ownership for not letting them go into the tax? – John, Ocala.
A: I would say the front office, but perhaps not the way you are thinking. When the Heat had to make decisions last summer, it was based on the hope of the potential for something really big, at a time when Kevin Durant’s future not only was up in the air, but also when he had hinted at a desire to possibly join the Heat. So the Heat played it safe, avoided the hard cap, took care of Caleb Martin, and let things play out. Obviously they didn’t play out in the preferred way with either the season or with Durant.
Q: Whether the Heat draft No. 14th or No. 20, Pat Riley needs to find someone one Kentucky. That seems to be Riley’s best draft picks in many years. – Joel, Fort Lauderdale.
A: And yet, at the moment, there also has been questioning of both Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Of course, an argument could be made that in 2020 the Heat should have turned toward Kentucky again at No. 20, when they instead went for Precious Achiuwa instead of Tyrese Maxey. (Of course, that’s also was after they had drafted Herro out of Kentucky the year before and had that position addressed.)
