Q: Ira, the Tyler Herro takeovers are great, but this roster puts so much stress on him to do it alone late. It’s almost unfair that he doesn’t have help. – Fil.
A: Well, there was Jimmy Butler, but he decided the rest of this Heat roster was not worth his while, so he defected to Steph Curry. And you could see how that defection hurts, with Tyler Herro the lone Heat player able to consistently work his way to the line on Thursday night against the Grizzlies (he attempted seven free throws, no other Heat player with more than two). This team unquestionably needs another creator, something more, with all due respect, than Bam Adebayo’s jumpers. The problem is Andrew Wiggins just might be that player, but you can’t know if Andrew can’t get to the court. Yes, Davion Mitchell has been a spark, but this has been asking a lot night in and night out. Still, Tyler matched Ja Morant shot-for-shot and then some on Thursday night, which also says plenty.
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Q: Let’s play a little game: Which current Heat players do you think can help you win a championship? – Andy.
A: Actually, I’m going to change the parameter, because sometimes without an ultra-elite superstar, you simply can’t win a championship. So instead, let’s repurpose this exercise into which current Heat players can contribute to a contender. In that regard, certainly Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, since they already have. And Andrew Wiggins would have to be on that list, with the title he already has won with the Warriors. Beyond that, I’d go with Kel’el Ware, because of his unique build, and perhaps Nikola Jovic, also because of the uniqueness of his game. Otherwise, package any all others if it helps bolster the roster. With all due respect to all others.
Q: Ira, which of the G League guys do you think are back? – Eddie.
A: “Back” in this case is a relative term. For example, the Heat brought Alondes Williams and Cole Swider back after their extensive G League time last season, only to rescind the two-way contracts of both over the course of summer league last July. So in that regard, Josh Christopher, Keshad Johnson and Isaiah Stevens likely will remain within the Heat’s realm at least through the early stages of the offseason. As it is, Keshad was signed to a two-year contract, but that deal has a team option for next season. With Josh and Isaiah, it comes down to whether the Heat decide to make qualifying offers by their June deadlines.
