Could Tyler Herro return as Miami Heat NBA playoff reserve?
Q: Do you think Tyler Herro is a liability when he’s healthy and playing? It seems like when he’s not playing it’s more of a group effort to get the win. – Reg, Virginia Beach, Va.
A: First, let’s not kick the injured when they’re down. And Tyler Herro did make a contribution in Game 3 with his unique blue bucket hat. So there was that. But with the Heat’s replacement lineups, it has allowed for an additional 3-pointer shooter (in Max Strus) while deducting a two-point shooter from a lineup that already features the two-point games of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Plus, it allows for a defensive upgrade. Just as Kyle Lowry returned from his injury absence as a reserve, I could see the same with Tyler if he can make it make to the postseason from his broken hand.
Q: I’m so happy Bam Adebayo finally attacked the boards aggressively and went up and dunked without hesitation. This is an example of Bam playing so great on defense that no one can complain about offense. – Swann.
A: But let’s also be fair – Bam Adebayo arguably expends more energy and effort on defense than any teammate or any opponent. And, yes, while in a perfect world a player would be at his very best all of the time on both ends, that also is asking more of Bam than others. Yes, when the rebounding numbers are up and the scoring numbers are complementary, it comes off as a complete effort. But almost nightly, it is a compete effort. Rare is the night when at least the effort isn’t there. And since Bam arrived in the 2017 NBA draft, the Heat have won a lot of games, which says something, as well. This could be the third trip to the Eastern Conference finals in his six seasons.
Q: Hello, Ira. Do you support holding voting for Coach of the Year and MVP until after the season is over, so that players and coaches can be judged not only for what they accomplished during the regular season, but how they performed when the games count the most? – Carlos, West Park.
A: Yes, and I have contended that for years. The two-month entirety of the playoffs is as long as one-third of the regular season. And while it might be argued that such a delay penalizes those who did not make the playoffs, how much of an award winner are you if your team was not one of the 20 teams out of 30 at least to make the play-in? The exception to me would be Rookie of the Year, because elite prospects, by the nature of the draft and lottery, go to the worst teams.
