Q: The challenge for next year will be to find a more aggressive production from the initial backcourt. You can’t ask Jimmy Butler to play out of his skull. – Ray, Deerfield Beach.
A: Fair point, at least when it comes to going up against elite, playoff-level defenses like the Celtics. Especially if Kyle Lowry’s big-time scoring era is over. The rub is that the Heat had ample options this season when considering the shootings of Lowry, Tyler Herro, Victor Oladipo and even Max Strauss. But in the end there just wasn’t uniformity. That’s why a player like Donovan Mitchell is so appealing, and maybe that’s why it might be worth cycling back to Bradley Beal’s substitute. Yes, the Celtics’ defense in the series was top tier, but sometimes it means a top tier scoring option to compete. Another needs to either be developed or acquired.
Q: Please share your opinion on Duncan Robinson’s future role (or non-role) with Heat. I really admire him and the way he has handled adversity as well as all the negative press. – Sid, Boynton Beach.
A: First, it doesn’t come from a position of “negative press”, but I believe the Heat will try to move Duncan Robinson at least this season, not from any sense of failure, Rather from the perspective of salary cap and luxury tax. It was in the form of a starting wing when Robinson was extended his five-year, $90 million (including incentives) contract last summer. Then Max Strauss happened. So, now, it must be thought that Strauss may have to take further care. While Duncan’s price tag may seem hefty, it’s not serious if it is cast elsewhere in the opening role. The biggest question for me is whether the Heat will have to throw in the No. 27 first-round pick to deal with Duncan. This will be one of the more interesting elements of the offseason.
Q: Ira, looking at next year, do you think there is any possibility of Bam Adebayo and Omar Yurtseven playing together? He played really well when Yurt got the chance when Bam got hurt, and with Bam’s athletic talent (and if he can continue to work on his mid-range and develop a decent three) those The size of both can be a challenge for the other. Team. -Joel, Fort Lauderdale.
A: But you’re asking for a lot there. First, Omar Yurtseven would have to show the agility to play the type of defense mandated by the Heat. With their limited agility, this remains a significant challenge. Then you’re assuming that Bomb Adebayo could develop a 3-point play, an element we haven’t seen in true competition. Also, if Bam can be defended by a forward power, does he lose his quick advantage? It’s about how the two will work together, it’s about how Heat will work with the two playing together. At the limited sample size, spacing has been terrible with both on the floor, especially with limited-range shooters like Jimmy Butler. As it was, the heat had become shorter rather than larger by the end of their later season.
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