Q: Ira, can you please explain why Jimmy Butler doesn’t play more than half the fourth quarter? It takes the team out of a rhythm and takes Jimmy out of rhythm, as well. Not hard to see why the Heat have let so many slip in the fourth. – John, Ocala.
A: Because if you had pulled Jimmy Butler earlier in the third quarter Friday, then you might not have had that buffer for any rest for Jimmy in the fourth quarter. Jimmy played a team-high 35:32 in Washington. As a matter of perspective, Tyrese Maxey leads the NBA at 37.5 minutes per game, and he’s 23. Jimmy Butler played 35:32 on Friday night and he’s 34. He has to sit at some point. This has been the formula with Jimmy during his Heat tenure and has helped make it a highly successful Heat tenure.
Q: Ira, that was not good offense. Terry Rozier was 2 of 13, Tyler Herro 6 of 19, Haywood Highsmith 0 for 4 on 3-pointers and Josh Richardson 1 of 6 on 3s. If it wasn’t for the rebounding, we’re not going to win shooting .432 from the field and 7 of 31 on 3s. That’s not going to cut it Sunday against the Clippers. Thank the Wizards for this one. – Michael.
A: Of course, what would have been even more disheartening would have been recording those numbers and also losing to the Wizards. So you take the win and you move forward. But there clearly is work that needs to be done to fix this offense. For now, you muddle through the best you can with these next three home games against the Clippers, Magic and Spurs, and then hopefully there can be a reset with the three-day idle stretch that follows.
Q: Us Heat fans are hard on Bam Adebayo when he’s passive. But I’m glad he’s getting the rightful recognition from coaches and players. Congrats All-Star. – Swann.
A: But even then, that sells him short. Say what you want about Bam Adebayo’s offensive approach and whether he attacks the rim enough or gets to the foul line enough. But there is nothing passive about his defensive game, which includes stepping up to individual challenges against opponents at all five positions, as well as covering for defensive shortcomings or limitations of teammates. In that regard, he is as relentless as any player on the Heat, and arguably any in the NBA. He does not take possessions off when he is in the game, most assuredly not on the defensive end. Without his 20 points and 14 rebounds Friday, there would not have been a victory.