Is Miami Heat fix simply getting more of Jimmy Butler?
Q: Ira, if Jimmy Butler played as hard in the first four games of the losing streak as he did against the Knicks, the losing streak would probably be two games instead of six. – Rich, Plantation.
A: Agree that Saturday’s Jimmy Butler has to be the Jimmy Butler that takes the court until this slump is rectified. The next step is getting it for four quarters instead of the three Saturday. And at least it appears you recognize where this Heat mix stands, at the moment not good enough to beat Boston when the Celtics are on their game, and not good enough to beat the Knicks at the Garden. But better Jimmy is the place it needs to start. He has to recognize as much, as well.
Q: Erik Spoelstra personally made Josh Richardson sign with the Heat. When can we blame Spo? – Kevin.
A: First, Erik Spoelstra did not make Josh Richardson do anything Josh Richardson did not want to do. And while Spoelstra has personnel input, there are multiple voices when it comes to such decisions. But for a team hard up against the luxury tax, every contract matters. Saturday, neither Josh Richardson nor Thomas Bryant players saw action. Cast as veteran contributors when added, both could be out of the rotation. Of course, when signed, the Heat did not know that Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Terry Rozier would be rotation players, nor that Kevin Love would emerge as backup center.
Q: Hey, Ira. It seems likely that Nikola Jovic was in effect on a ten-game trial for Charlotte to decide if they wanted him or a Heat first-round pick. Do you think the Heat were hoping to keep or move Jovic in the trade for Terry Rozier? – David, Venice.
A: With all due respect to Nikola Jovic, that would have been my preference, to move him in the Kyle Lowry package instead of what well could turn into an unprotected first rounder. But teams prefer the flexibility of either getting “their man” in the draft or having a future pick as capital for a follow-up deal.
