Q: What is going on with Nikola Jovic? He’s turning into Jaime Jaquez Jr. – Sanders.
A: Agree that this third season hardly has been a linear climb. There have been moments when it appears Nikola Jovic has turned the corner. And then there are moments when he tries to do too much. The greatest peeve has been that Nikola does not play to his size, still with too much finesse when power, and a few dunks, are required. With so many of Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s struggles it has been about his lack of size. Nikola has that size and does not maximize it.
Q: I’m enjoying watching Kel’el Ware develop, but folks should slow down on anointing him the next All-Star until his numbers equate with wins. Otherwise they’re empty stats. Like Erik Spoelstra answer to the media’s questions, contribute to wins. Ware will get there (hopefully) but don’t crown him yet. – Cheryl, Fort Lauderdale.
A: Could not agree more. But the encouraging aspect with Kel’el Ware is that he appreciates that, as well, as he stated after Thursday night’s loss in Dallas. This is not Hassan Whiteside constantly delighting in his statistics This is a young player who appreciates that ultimate success comes through winning.
Q: Taking a basic average of annual team offensive ratings for the Heat spread across Erik Spoelstra’s entire tenure as coach is rudimentary, yet telling. Every coach has their weakness, and at this point it seems fair to say that offense has empirically not been a strength of his. Is there any acknowledgment of this from Spoelstra, the staff, or upper management? Can this be resolved by bringing in offensive coaching talent, akin to the NFL with innovative offensive coordinators? Or does Spoelstra not recognize this as a consistent issue that needs to be addressed? Talent plays a role, of course, but numbers don’t lie and the product on the court is undeniably mediocre. – Alex.
A: With Erik Spoelstra it has long been a case of so much focus on the defensive end, that the hope is that the offense flows off the defense. And to a significant degree it does when the Heat are creating turnovers and playing in transition. The problem has been halfcourt offense, which is exacerbated by the lack of the true point guard. Sort of how teams in football have passing-game coordinators, it is almost as if the Heat, more than an offensive coordinator, need a halfcourt-offense coordinator.