Were the Miami Heat put at a deficit during New York trip?
Q: Ira, why schedule the back-to-back when players find a way to play only one of the games? It happens every time. If it is too hard to play two nights in a row, why not extend the season by a month and finish the playoffs in July? They might get better TV ratings and won’t give the fans G League games during the season. – Jeff, Pompano Beach.
A: Because fans want to go to games on Friday and Saturday nights. Those are prime sales nights. So to ban back to backs would reduce a key revenue day. The part I don’t like is the NBA stressing the need for players to appear in national-television games and the In-Season Tournament, at the expense of arguably operating in the team’s best interest. So the Heat’s hand basically was forced when it came to going all-in on Friday night in New York. But you also should give credit to Kyle Lowry, at 37, pushing through both nights, and Kevin Love, at 35, doing the same. As for Bam Adebayo, I’m not sure anyone wants to push a lingering injury in November. That just doesn’t make sense.
Q: I watched the game Saturday and I do like Nikola Jovic and I hope he really does succeed. When I compare Jovic to Jaime Jaquez Jr., I see a player out of UCLA that is making the right plays, the game doesn’t seem too fast. His mistakes usually happen when he tries to do too much with the ball (maybe overconfidence?), but he’s a rookie and his good far outweighs his bad. When I see Jovic, I see a player whose head is on a swivel, who plays rushed, as if the game is way too fast for him. Am I missing something here or do I have it all wrong about Niko? – Rodney.
A: What you are seeing with Jaime Jaquez Jr. is a polished four-year collegian who has been tasked with specific obligations. What you are seeing with Nikola Jovic is a young neophyte who still is learning the American way. And until Nikola gets a better feel for the game, it’s hard for the Heat to get a feel for his fit. Give it time. Jaime was drafted for the moment. Nikola was drafted for the future. Both are on their anticipated timeline.
Q: Disappointing news about Dru Smith. Why hasn’t the NBA, or for that matter, the National Basketball Players Association not mandated all courts be uniform and not have drop-offs like Cleveland’s does? Your article mentions that Erik Spoelstra has said there have been a few other close calls for the Heat. The New Orleans Jazz in the 1974-75 season were required to put up a net all around the court they played on at Loyola University because the court was four feet off the ground. I saw several players crash into the net while attending Tulane University. Sort of like the net at jai alai. – David, Fort Lauderdale.
A: First thank you for the historical perspective, which was spot on about the 6,500-seat Loyola University Fieldhouse. All I wonder is how many personal-injury attorneys already have been in contact with Dru Smith or his agent. Got to figure those billboard lawyers were or will be all over that.
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