ASK IRA: Is Delon Wright still viewed as a Heat defensive alternative?
Q: This one seems a bit odd on the outside but I’m sure Erik Spoelstra has his reasons for Delon Wright not getting any playing time at the moment. Patty Mills played well, fit right in. But the issue is on the defensive side of the ball as a whole for the team. – Douglas.
A: I had viewed Friday as the perfect spot for Delon Wright as a defensive option against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Instead, Erik Spoelstra went for the offensive punch of Party Mills. But while Party provided an offensive payoff, Gilgeous-Alexander played practically undeterred, with Jimmy Butler required to put in the extra effort on that assignment. So if not Delon in that situation, then when? As it is, once Tyler Herro returns, it’s not as if there will be much in the way of minutes for Delon or Patty. Still, the Heat all season have needed a defensive deterrent at point guard. Now they have one. And didn’t use him.
Q: Is Bam Adebayo injured or are we overthinking and overreacting to a slump? Personally, I’m tired of the clunky version of Edrice. We need no-ceiling, triple-double Bam to beat Boston, Denver or the Clippers this year. We’re not winning anything with our captain reverting back to the rookie version of himself. – Swann.
A: First, there is a ceiling for practically every player. And no matter the outside perspective, Bam is not going to be a nightly 25-point scorer. But he did defend and he did rebound, particularly against the Thunder. Prior to these past two, he had been playing well. So I’m not sure two games is a slump. And I think it will help Bam when Tyler Herro returns. But, yes, Playoff Bam will have to be better than the Bam of these past two games.
Q: Tyler Herro is a good player and I like him. That said, the sample size is now too big to ignore – the 2023 playoff run and this season. The Heat play better and fit better without him. He can create his own shot but that requires him to have the ball a lot. Duncan Robinson, Caleb Martin and Nikola Jovic getting an additional nine minutes each provide a much better fit. They do not require the ball, so that allows our best out players, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, to have the ball. How do Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley, if necessary, get Tyler Herro to buy into a sixth-man role again? – Brian, Boca Raton.
A: I’m still not sold on the need for such a move. And beyond getting caught up in who starts, instead consider closing time, and how Tyler Herro’s presence clearly would have been beneficial at the end in Dallas and Oklahoma City, when a bit more shot creativity would have helped, particularly with the swarming defense against Jimmy Butler. The Heat need Tyler back, back in rhythm, back in sync with the rotation. This next month could provide the best read of what should follow.