Will Erik Spoelstra soon have to revise Miami Heat rotation?
Q: Once Tyler Herro is back into the starting lineup, we have a bench that includes Duncan Robinson, Caleb Martin, Josh Richardson, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kevin Love, who have all earned rotation minutes and frankly make our team better. Is the solution for Erik Spoelstra and the Heat to go 10 deep on a nightly basis? Wouldn’t it be beneficial to go 10 deep and keep the minutes down, especially for the older members of this roster? – Carlos, West Park.
A: First, let’s not assume who will necessarily go to the bench when Tyler Herro returns. The spacing Duncan Robinson provides cannot necessarily be replicated. Plus, I’m not necessarily sure there will be a season-long commitment to Haywood Highsmith as starting power forward. In fact, if Jimmy Butler is willing, there could be a case for Jimmy moving to power forward to accommodate Tyler and Duncan in the starting lineup. But, yes, there are at least 10 puzzle pieces that Erik Spoelstra could put into play. It also could be a case where Haywood goes from starter to a diminished role. So, we wait.
Q: Ira, I am amazed at the lack of patience some of your readers have with the development of Nikola Jovic. Especially when in the same mailbag you have another question about how far Duncan Robinson has come this season. As an avid fan of “Ask Ira” and the Heat, I have watched the incremental improvements from Bam Adebayo. It was frustrating at times, as you could see Bam improve over each season but in small steps. Look at what he is now and there will be more. Duncan Robinson’s improvement is very evident this year, as you saw small bits of his expanded offensive game late last year. You can say that with Gabe Vincent, Max Strus and many others. The Heat develop talent and it takes more than a season and a half. Niko is a good offensive player and has been asked to improve his defense and primarily his rebounding. That seems to be what he is focusing on. I agree with Jimmy Butler that as Niko develops, we will see a very strong core of Bam, Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin (hopefully), Niko and others to be named. I would appreciate your thoughts. – Mike, San Diego.
A: I think context is needed here. The question in question was about Nikola Jovic and this season. And at the moment, it is difficult to envision a definitive rotation role for Nikola, based on the proven depth. Could he grow into something? That certainly is the hope, as Jimmy Butler has expressed. But beyond an extensive amount of injuries, there does not appear to be an immediate path to minutes. And even with the injuries, Erik Spoelstra elected to go eight deep rather than play Nikola in Friday night’s loss to the Cavaliers. But, again, it doesn’t mean that development is stunted just because a player isn’t given game minutes.
Q: Tell me they’re not going to lose to the Hornets or Bulls this week. That should be four wins. – Ethan.
A: I can’t tell you that, because the Hornets have been playing better since the return of Miles Bridges, who became eligible after the last time the Heat played Charlotte, and the Bulls have regained their stride amid the absence of Zach LaVine. Plus it’s difficult to take two in a row against any opponent, with the Heat playing the Hornets on Monday and Wednesday, and then the Bulls on Thursday and Saturday.
