Is Caleb Martin taking a bite out Miami Heat doubt?
Q: Caleb Martin spitting chiclets is so Heat. They should put them in a jar where Udonis Haslem’s locker was. – Felipe.
A: At last check, no lost teeth, just, Caleb Martin mumbled amid his six stitches, some loose ones. And the thing is, it was friendly fire, courtesy of a Jimmy Butler (unintentional) elbow. But it shows that Caleb is willing to stick his nose (and teeth) into the most physical of action. While getting up for the big games on the schedule is one thing, a 5 p.m. Saturday tip against the Jazz required a spark. Caleb and Haywood Highsmith provided that when the Heat went to fullcourt pressure in the third quarter. Even more impressive, was that both were on the injury report entering the game, Highsmith with a knee, Caleb with a thumb. If not for that ignition, it might have taken even more than 37 points from Jimmy Butler.
Q: Ira, Jimmy Butler can tell you all he wants there is not Playoff Jimmy. But it doesn’t take an insider to recognize he is moving into playoff mode. Saturday’s takeover was complete. – Jessie.
A: There is no doubt that Jimmy Butler operates through the season with multiple gears, including one that takes it up a notch after midseason, before going into overdrive in the playoffs. And while he downplays it all, the reality is that avoiding the play-in round would guarantee him at least five days off before the opening round of the playoffs. Yes, he helped finish off the Bucks in the opening round with almost no such rest coming out of last season’s play-in round. But now he is a year old and a play-in round wiser. He very much appears to be in the mode of a player seeking at least a top-six finish.
Q: Ira, last week you said that Tyler Herro’s injuries have come from plays on the court. But now it’s a “lingering foot injury.” So injury prone? – Steve.
A: In this case, I think it is a collective decision to get him right before the most meaningful of games. And face it, it is a position where the Heat have ample replacement options, with Terry Rozier and Jaime Jaquez Jr. in place. And, as it was, Delon Wright did not even play Saturday. So when it comes to playing it safe, it makes sense with Tyler. Now, should Bam Adebayo miss time, there might not be as much patience.
