ASK IRA: Could it be zone or bust for Heat’s defense amid personnel overhaul?
Can the Miami Heat live up to their defensive pedigree with this current roster?
Q: Ira, as much as the Heat are going to miss the offensive contributions of Max Strus and Gabe, Vincent, they are really going to miss their defense and toughness. – Joel.
A: Which is interesting, because early on, Max Strus was perceived as a defensive liability, then came to be viewed as a more stout option on that end than Duncan Robinson. And, yes, there is a risk at play for the Heat with what remains. Should they open with a lineup that includes Kevin Love, Tyler Herro and, say, Kyle Lowry, that would put considerable pressure on Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler to compensate. For all Lowry once was as a defender, he arguably is better now at defending switches in the post than containing quick opposing guards. Gabe Vincent provided the Heat with more of a fighting chance on the perimeter. And off the bench, it’s not as if Erik Spoelstra can necessarily count on much on the defensive end from Duncan Robinson, Thomas Bryant or Orlando Robinson, in light of his fouling issue. So even with possible defensive contributions from Caleb Martin and Josh Richardson, figure on plenty of zone again, and the hope that system defense can compensate for individual (lack of) defense.
Q: Never give Jimmy Butler extra motivation. He said during media day what I was thinking, that he plans to approach the 2023-24 season to prove to the Bucks and Celtics that their acquisitions were not enough. The Miami Heat are built for the playoffs. Jimmy Butler has become the NBA’s version of Reggie Jackson, “Mr October.” – Rodney.
A: But first you have to make it that far, in this case into May or June. If the Heat lack enough quality pieces, then there is the risk of treacherous playoff seeding or of wearing down Jimmy Butler. Yes, the Heat rose from the No. 7 in the East and a No. 8 seed to the NBA Finals last season, but that is not a path routinely traversed. Erik Spoelstra speaks of more depth of talent. I’m not quite sold at this juncture.
Q: Ira, When Giannis Anteotkounmpo re-ups with the Bucks at probably the same salary as Damian Lillard, how will they be able to pay the rest of the team? – Rich, Plantation.
A: By going deep, deep, deep into the luxury tax. Even with the new draconian luxury-tax elements added in the latest collective-bargaining agreement, teams still can pay to keep their own. It is similar to what we’re seeing now with the Phoenix Suns and their contracts with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. There is no hard cap in the NBA, just financial penalties and limitations on transaction flexibility. But you still can pay as much as you want, if you choose. We’ve seen something similar before with Mikhail Prokhorov, who hardly got the playoff results he paid for with the Brooklyn Nets before he cashed out.