Q: Ira, look at this week: On Tuesday Tyler Herro gets a 40-burger. Friday, when Tyler can’t hit, Bam Adebayo goes off almost for a triple-double. But when are we going to see Tyler, Bam and Jimmy Butler do it the same game? – Sandy.
A: Well, the opportunity could come as soon as Sunday, with Jimmy Butler expected to be back then against the Pacers, after putting up shots before Friday night’s victory over the Pacers. And I certainly can appreciate the consternation, because it does seem that for whatever reason, the Heat largely have been unable to get the three at the top of their games at the same time. That is why it is important to get Jimmy back, to keep Tyler at the top of his game, and to have Bam with Friday’s bounce back. The Heat simply have to see if this three-man core actually is a core. Winning is about more than pairing three leading men; it is about pairing the right combination of leading men.
Q: Even Friday we lost on the glass. When will we see the pairing of Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware play together? – Brian, Fort Lauderdale.
A: When Kel’el Ware is at a point where he has earned starter’s minutes. Yes, the rebounding numbers remain a concern, particularly the allowances for offensive rebounds and putback opportunities. And, yes, the Pistons’ 56-43 rebounding advantage on Tuesday was a prime reason why the Heat fell to the Pistons. Such concern was among the reasons that Kevin Love was moved into the starting lineup, to try to, at least at the outset of games, beef up on the boards. Reality is that the Heat lack much in the way of athletic beef, lack what the Pistons have in Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, who each got double-digit rebounds on Tuesday night. But Erik Spoelstra rarely has favored such limited bulk, particularly with the Heat having so much trouble scoring. What the Heat need most is for Kel’el Ware to grow into his body as soon as possible, something that likely will remain a process, with Kel’el only 20. Friday, the trust in Kel’e was solely a stint of 3:39 in the first half.
Q: This team and culture is built upon consistency. We didn’t have it last year, and fizzled out at the end. If we don’t have it again this year, we’re not going to fare any better. – Phillip, San Francisco.
A: Correct. But that has nothing to do with mottos or mantras or Culture. It has to do with talent. And when a team often plays at a talent deficit, it reduces the margin of error significantly. In recent years the Heat have been able to compensate with precision and coaching. But that is a path of greatest resistance over an 82-game schedule. How do you upgrade consistency? By upgrading the roster.