ASK IRA: Has Orlando Robinson turned himself into a Heat rotation option?
Q: I think Orlando Robinson just might have earned himself a rotation spot with his performance Wednesday. His second- half defense was the way I like to see the Heat play. – Rolando, Borrego Springs, Calif.
Q: Orlando also works well with other bigs, sharing the ball, getting rebounds, hitting his threes. – Vip.
Q: Honestly, Orlando Robinson is one of the more tenacious players. He gives it his all every night, I think we could see some serious backup-five minutes when Bam Adebayo is back. He has a three ball and can snag just about every rebound. – Jordan.
A: Whoa, was there an Orlando Robinson Fan Club meeting held when I went out to refresh my Molson? But, yes, Orlando’s first career double-double on Wednesday night shed considerable light on how he could help the Heat even when the Heat are whole. What we are seeing now is a player two seasons into the Heat system, a player who appreciates how it needs to be done. That is a built-in advantage that Orlando has over Thomas Bryant, who still is attempting to adjust to the Heat’s way of doing things. As I mentioned during the game, what Orlando has started showing is that he is willing to compensate for his athletic limitations with hustle and perseverance. We saw that Wednesday night in Toronto. From here forward it is simple: Do things the way Erik Spoelstra requires and he is the third big body, if needed, behind Bam Adebayo and Kevin Love. But that also means doing just that, staying within the system while playing with the highest motor possible.
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Q: The only bad thing Wednesday night was it’s obvious Nikola Jovic has no clue how to see the NBA game. He likely was so tall and coordinated he could dominate kids his age since he was very young. He never developed any real hoops knowledge. – Jon.
A: I disagree, because he showed plenty of hoops savvy with the Serbian national team during the World Cup. Where Nikola Jovic has struggled is adjusting to the NBA whistle and adjusting to the Heat system. The fouls have to come down and the understanding of the Heat system has to go up. There is time for both. He’s only 20. And there is enough skill there that you can’t summarily dismiss future possibilities.
Q: Ira, isn’t listing Haywood Highsmith as a starter the Heat are without a stretch? Where else would he be starting? – Peter.
A: First, I can’t speak for other teams. But it’s not as much about whether you believe Haywood Highsmith is of the caliber to be starting for a playoff contender. Rather, it’s about continuity, and how that goes out the window when he is out, as is the case now with the back contusion. At a certain point, you need to develop chemistry throughout the rotation. So if Haywood is to be a part of that rotation, in whatever role, you need to have him available to see what works and what doesn’t. The goal is to get players that fit in some role with Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. With the latter two out, this whole thing becomes a holding pattern. Perhaps Haywood isn’t the ultimate starting fit. But the only way you learn is through availability.
