ASK IRA: How significantly have Celtics, Bucks distanced themselves from the Heat?
Q: Ira, looking at this all wrong. The Celtics lost Grant Williams, Marcus Smart, Robert Williams and Malcolm Brogdon. Don’t tell me about Kristaps Porzingis until he wins something. And they only got Jrue Holiday because Milwaukee let him go. And the Bucks got where they were with defense, which certainly is not Damian Lillard. Plus, they lost Holiday (I’m speaking out of both sides of my mouth) and Khris Middleton is always hurt. Could it be that the Heat have not fallen behind like everyone is saying? – Neil.
A: That, of course, primarily has to do with the Heat’s own roster remix, and subbing out Max Strus and Gabe Vincent (and to a lesser degree Victor Oladipo) for Josh Richardson, Thomas Bryant and youth. It comes down to your perspective on Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro as a trio. But, yes, the identities of the Celtics and Bucks have changed. Many, however, would argue for the better. To me the advantage retained is Erik Spoelstra over first-year Bucks coach Adrian. Griffin and second-year Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla. But the reality is that at least on paper there are the Celtics and Bucks in the East and then everybody else.
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Q: Should Heat go all in on Tyler Herro’s growth? I would like to see the Heat tell Tyler Herro you are our ball handler and we want you to be a 20/10 guy. You are our Jamal Murray. I watched a lot of Heat games last year and managed to even go to a few games. Many people will say the Heat were at their best after Tyler Herro went down. I would agree with them, but I would agree it had to do with it being less cooks in the kitchen than it being Tyler Herro himself. The Heat had Tyler Herro, Max Strus, Kyle Lowry, Victor Oladipo, Gabe Vincent, Duncan Robinson. You might see Tyler Herro, Max Strus, Kyle Lowry or Duncan Robinson and Gabe Vincent all starting somewhere this year. I felt toward the end of the season that Tyler Herro’s minutes were reduced to make room for some of these other players and to keep him off the floor with Jimmy Butler. The reverse is going to be true. With Max, Gabe and Victor all gone, we should now see all that Tyler Herro has to offer. I am a big fan of Tyler Herro, and I love how the man can be clutch both with the big shot and making fourth-quarter free throws. I want to see Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler games complement each other and I think that only happens with Tyler Herro as the ball handler/facilitator –Kristpher, San Diego.
A: Tyler Herro will have the ball in his hands plenty. And Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo have no issue with others scoring. But what the Heat need from Tyler is efficient offense. If the percentages are up, there will be plenty of opportunity. Otherwise, the higher percentages of Jimmy and Bam would be the way to go. The canvas is there for Tyler, but it has to come out of the team framework.
Q: Ira, what happened to Jamree Bouyea? – Andy.
A: The Heat released him from his two-way contract ahead of camp in order to open that slot for R.J. Hampton. Bouyea still could work his way back, perhaps in the G League, but the Heat appear intrigued by Hampton’s athleticism and potential.
