ASK IRA: Who or what is most to blame for Heat’s struggling offense?
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Q: Ira, I sort of look at this start for the Heat as a problem of offense more than defense. It seems to me that no one except maybe Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler seem to be getting comfortable shots. I can’t quite figure it out, but Erik Spoelstra should be able to figure it out and better be able to figure it out quickly. Also, the Heat always look so small against any lineup it seems to me. I know it’s only four games but we’re heading out west for three straight and I am perplexed. – Brent, Wellington.
A: Obviously two different issues. Lack of shot creation has been an ongoing issue. That’s why (perhaps too much?) hope was placed in Victor Oladipo. Now that waiting game will be on hold for at least another week, with Vic still dealing with his season-opening knee issue, And with Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro in the starting lineup, there basically is no shot creation in the second unit. That has had Erik Spoelstra basically forced to have at least one of those two on the court at all times. As for playing undersized, that is more of front-office issue. For all of the Heat’s position-less mantra, power forward is real position and the lack of one showed against the length of the Raptors.
Q: Another loss, as usual. Small ball is not gonna win you games. Where is Yurtseven, Orlando Robinson? – Masoud, Tucson, Ariz.
A: Omer Yurtseven is out with an ankle injury suffered in the preseason opener and Orlando Robinson was waived at the end of the preseason and now is on the roster of the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. So the question, with the current roster that is in place becomes whether trust can be fast tracked with Nikola Jovic.
Q: Did the Heat put too much faith in Victor Oladipo? – Ed.
A: It certainly appears that way. To their credit, they never overstated his possibilities. But there also was $18 million over these next two seasons, with the type of roster construction that indicates they expected a significant contribution.
