Q: Ira, once again Nikola Jovic was terrible, with two points and five turnovers against the Pistons. He basically took the minutes of Simone Fontechio, who has also been pretty poor of late. However at this stage in their careers, Fontecchio is clearly the better player and remains aggressive looking for his shot, as opposed to being tentative. Do you go with the younger player who has a long-term contract, and hope he turns into a long term asset, or the player who can better help you win now? – Joel, Fort Lauderdale.
A: You do what Erik Spoelstra says he does, consider anything and everything. To this point, the approach has been fair. Nikola Jovic was struggling, so he sat and Simone Fontecchio played against the Bucks. Then, with Simone’s shooting falling off a cliff, Nikola got the call against the Pistons. The assumption now is that if Jaime Jaquez Jr. can move past his groin strain and play Monday against the Clippers that Nikola and Simone both might sit. And then someone else invariably will be sidelined, and Spoelstra will offer a round of second chances.
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Q: What’s the value of Bam Adebayo’s defensive versatility if it always results in mismatches for our smaller players in the paint? I’d rather he show his defensive prowess by guarding Cade Cunningham straight up. That to me is the real measure of a great defender. – Ray, Deerfield Beach.
A: First, Davion Mitchell, especially late in that game, did as good a job as you can do against the relentlessness of Cade Cunningham. And while your idea might have merit, considering Bam Adebayo previously has gotten the assignment against the likes of James Harden and other smaller wings, there simply is not enough in the Heat’s power rotation to have such optionality to move Bam full time to the defensive perimeter. Yes, he might well be up to such a challenge, but this roster does not allow for such an approach at the moment.
Q: Ira, remember how the Heat kept being linked to John Collins? It’s a good thing they passed. – Taylor.
A: Agree. It has been an uneven run, to say the least, for John Collins with the Clippers, who play Monday at Kaseya Center. The Clippers’ moves surrounding Norman Powell look even more suspect at the moment, as the Clippers flail.
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