Could NBA playoffs have Miami Heat reconsidering payroll?
Q: Ira, are we seeing if Tyler Herro is expendable. In other words, is what we are seeing from Max Strus, Caleb Martin and Gabe Vincent revealing what we knew all along about needing a defensive upgrade? – J.V., Tampa.
A: I appreciate where you are trying to go with that, that if the Heat can win in the playoffs, and sustain playoff success, in the absence of Tyler Herro, that his money could perhaps be better spent otherwise. But it is way, way, way too early for any of that. Yes, you probably could lock in Max Strus, Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin (already locked in next season at $6.8 million) combined for less than the $27 million that Tyler will earn next season. But this league is about individual stars, and Tyler still has such potential. So, yes, if there is eventually a parade down Biscayne Boulevard, perhaps you could consider such math. But at the moment the Heat still need three more wins to get out of this round, plus eight more postseason wins thereafter for a ring thing. For the moment, let’s live in the moment.
Q: To blame Bam Adebayo is wrong. He is not a center. He is a power forward. He does not like pounding underneath. He wants to be outside, guarding guards. – Robert, Coconut Creek.
A: But I’m not sure that Bam Adebayo is a power forward in today’s game, where power forwards are shooting 3-pointers and playing a highly athletic game off the dribble. It doesn’t matter as much how you designate Bam positionally as it does who is playing alongside. He seemed at his best when playing alongside muscle up front, such as a P.J. Tucker, or length, such as a Kelly Olynyk. But at the moment, the alignment with Kevin Love appears to be working. And with Kevin defending opposing centers (Brook Lopez, Mitchell Robinson), Bam effectively is being cast at power forward, anyway.
Q: Glad the Heat took care of the Bucks now. They’re going to be so much better with a real coach. – Tomas.
A: I still believe Giannis Antetokounmpo missing 2 1/2 of the five games against the Heat had far more to do with the Bucks losing in the first round than the coaching of Mike Budenholzer. But it certainly would be interesting to see if the Heat could again torment Frank Vogel in the East playoffs if he gets the Milwaukee job. I still remember Frank basically throwing his hands up in the air while coaching the Pacers against the Heat’s Big Three.
