ASK IRA: Is lack of athleticism again dooming Heat?
Q: Well, Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers knew what he was doing when he went small and wanted his team to play fast. The Heat just simply slipped into that trap once again this year. They cannot play fast with other teams, They are not equipped to do it. They get beat every time. It was false hope in the first quarter when the Heat were playing fast and the shots were falling. Luck happens. But then they start making turnovers trying to play too fast. They start pressing. They stop blocking out. They give up open three-point shots. As a long time Heat fan watching this is very difficult for me. I am used to watching the Heat during former years play pretty darn solid, but now I see so many mistakes. – Roland, Borrego Springs, Calif.
A: This is what happens when you have an unathletic roster. When the Heat had the opportunity to add players or at least augment the roster, they went with the 34-year-old (Kevin Love) and 30-year-old (Cody Zeller) options.
Q: We have wasted Jimmy Butler’s best years. – Martin.
A: No, the Heat have wasted – or appear on the path to wasting – Jimmy Butler’s 33rd-birthday year. They took care of him in 2020 by adding pieces such as Jae Crowder and Andre Iguodala to assist him on the way to those NBA Finals. And they did so last season by bringing in P.J. Tucker to assist in the run through the NBA Finals. But this season, the priorities seemingly were placed on the luxury tax and development, and Jimmy got caught in the middle, with Kevin Love ultimately to perhaps be this season’s Trevor Ariza. But Jimmy also stood by Kyle Lowry, so it’s not as if this all can be placed on others. It now will be interesting to see the approach going forward with Jimmy’s sore knee, considering the next two games are part of a back-to-back set, with back-to-back sets following each of the next two weekends, as well.
Q: Tyler Herro has been playing terribly. I guess he is in playoff form. – Joel.
A: A bit unfair, considering he started his career with some big-time moments in the 2020 postseason. But right now, Tyler Herro’s volume shooting clearly is not the answer for the Heat’s offense.
