Q: Should the Heat play high tempo on a more regular basis? With high energy players like Bam Adebayo, Caleb Martin, Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr., the Heat thrive. When Jimmy Butler is in the game, it’s more halfcourt, as he holds the ball. Which style is better? – Aviv, Miami.
A: That would depend on whether you are talking regular season or playoffs. The NBA regular season, particularly this regular season, has become about gunning for 120 and going from there. But the playoffs still are a possession game until proven otherwise. Yes, the approach is different with Jimmy Butler, especially with the Heat no longer with Kyle Lowry’s hit-ahead passes. But Jimmy Butler in the playoffs is a proven winning formula for the Heat; helter-skelter, not so much. Now, if this becomes a seven-seconds-or-less postseason, then you adapt down the road. But for now, it has to remain Playoff Jimmy Butler at Playoff Jimmy Butler’s pace until proven otherwise. Even Wednesday night, Jimmy easily could have been mixed into rotation to ease the finish, when the halfcourt grind almost became fatal for the Heat if not saved by offensive rebounds.
Q: Why do the Heat seem to typically favor an undersized roster? – Brian, Fort Lauderdale.
A: Because they emphasize a defensive approach that emphasizes mobility, be it with a switching approach or in their zone. Most big men are unable to do so, with an obvious exception of Bam Adebayo. Now, does that cost them rim deterrence? No question. And that has been an ongoing issue. So for the Heat, that has been the tradeoff. Through it all, they still have been able to hold their own on the defensive glass, and on Wednesday night even did some of their best work on the offensive glass.
Q: Duncan Robinson is untouchable as far as I’m concerned. He’s an unlikely source of swag, but it works. He’s low key channeling his inner Reggie Miller, and I’m here for it! – Papi.
A: Has the pendulum of approval ever swung as wildly for a member of the Heat? With Duncan Robinson, it seemingly has gone past the love, not-so-much-love relationship with Tyler Herro, arguably closer to what Jamal Mashburn dealt with during his closing Heat days. And the thing is, Duncan hardly has a polarizing personality. When he hits shots, fans can’t get enough. But when he doesn’t, it’s practically dive for cover from social media.
