Q: Ira, The current “big three” is having a similar problem to the early LeBron James Big Three days. No one is playing the “alpha” role and things are getting split up in this by-committee big three. When the Heat were winning, Jimmy Butler was out and Bam Adebayo was pretty much the lead dog. – Josh.
A: I know you offered a longer version of this question, but I wanted to address this element because I believe it is important. You make a cogent point about LeBron James and Erik Spoelstra basically giving him the keys and making it clear there was a definitive leading man, But here’s the problem with this big three (and I refer to this trio in lower case because it is not a group that is of the stature of LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh), the alpha with this group is Jimmy, without the question. But the problem is that he is a “sometimes” player during the regular season, putting it into overdrive only when he is so motivated. So that makes it difficult for Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro to determine when to seize the moment. This team works best when Jimmy Butler seizes the moment. He just doesn’t seem to care to do it as often to the same degree as LeBron. And that, I believe, muddles the takeoff point for Tyler and Bam.I would like to offer Jimmy’s thoughts on this, but he left the locker room Sunday in Orlando before it opened to media and on Wednesday night declined to do postseason media.
Q: Hi Ira, I agree with you that the Terry Rozier trades helps us in the short term. However, is there a duplicate in talent and roles with Tyler Herro on the team? Do you think they can both blend well on the court together, or are they backups for each other? – Fred, Lake Worth.
A: That’s what these next three months, and beyond in the playoffs, will be all about. The Heat already have had plenty of either/or issues, including when Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro are on the court together. Much of this could come down to Erik Spoelstra’s ability to stagger Terry Rozier and Tyler Herro in the rotation.
Q: Would anyone have thought in July that this team could not win without Jaime Jaquez Jr.? – Evan.
A: Not only wouldn’t they have thought that then, but they shouldn’t be thinking that now. On a team with this high of a payroll, if it takes a rookie, a No. 18 pick, no less, to make things right, then plenty is wrong.