Are Miami Heat still coming up short with their power play?
Q: Ira, they’re still too small. Nikola Jovic is 6-10, but his 240 pounds does not look like Aaron Gordon’s 235 pounds (no way Jovic weighs more). And Bam Adebayo is tiny next to Nikola Jokic. Do we miss The Mechanic? – Scott.
A: I did a double-take to make sure it wasn’t the thin mountain air and that I actually was asked about the Heat being without Dewayne Dedmon. But I digress. If you are asking if the Heat lack muscle in their power rotation, that is undeniable, even with the height that Nikola Jovic can provide. As for Nikola Jokic vs. Bam Adebayo, who doesn’t look smaller next to Jokic? The Rockies look smaller next to Jokic. But, yes, the Heat are not exactly musclebound. It is why they experimented with the likes of Dedmon and Cody Zeller on previous buyout markets. The lack of bulk again was as apparent at times Thursday, as it was against the Nuggets in last season’s NBA Finals. But the Heat also fought back going smaller – and it worked. The Heat are not going to win the biggest-muscle game. But that can find workarounds.
Q: This is really hurting my brain. How could Nikola Jovic be a starter and then not even play for several games? – Masoud, Tucson, Ariz.
A: OK, I’ll attempt to ease your brain pain: When it comes to the Heat starting lineup, at the least, Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro are locked in when available. It appears that is the case now with Terry Rozier, as well. But for years, certainly the last two, power forward essentially has been a flex position in Erik Spoelstra’s approach, and even was during last season’s run to the NBA Finals. Against bigger teams, Spoelstra has gone bigger, as he did by starting Nikola Jovic on Thursday night in Denver. Against quick, athletic fours (who actually are threes masquerading as fours), Spoelstra has gone more toward the perimeter defensive skills of Caleb Martin or Haywood Highsmith. So until Jovic’s play reaches the point where his performance fully demands a starting role, expect things to remain fluid at power forward. That said, Nikola has been making gains toward something more concrete.
Q: In honor of that Max Strus game winner for Cleveland against Dallas (my guy went on a certified heater to finish that game), can we take a second to appreciate how Duncan Robinson responded to being essentially benched for Max about a year ago and has now grown to achieve (or is at least nearing) savvy vet status on offense? In the absence of primary ballhandlers, he’s been out there directing teammates and creating easy baskets. Does what is needed on offense and has honestly been holding his own on defense. Dare I say he is Erik Spoelstra’s fifth- (with respect to Jaime Jaquez Jr.) or six-most trustable player right now? And that that is a good thing. – Ryan, Montverde.
A: What you can say is he has locked himself into a rotation roll, which even a year ago hardly was a given. And, yes, that is a sign of maturity, to persevere through the tough times and come out a net gain on the other side. Too often, some got caught up in what Duncan Robinson couldn’t do. He has shown there is plenty he can do. And is doing it. Careers are fluid. At the moment, Robinson has made himself a valued component.
