Q: Tyler Herro needs to come off the bench. This is looking almost exactly like the ‘20-21 season. – Luis.
A: It is the quick pulls from Tyler Herro that particularly seem out of place when you are trying to get Bam Adebayo more involved, Kyle Lowry into a rhythm, and now seemingly can also swing the ball to Jimmy Butler for 3-pointers. Those are the types of shots that work for a sixth man, when the surrounding talent is not necessarily A-list. Look, Max Strus has done a nice job stabilizing the second unit, but he just as easily could slide back onto the opening unit. But this also is the part of the equation that makes pro sports so tricky. Tyler wants to start. The Heat paid Tyler like a stater. So now it comes down to whether someone takes a stand for the greater good. Look, Jordan Poole received a similar extension, and he still comes off Golden State’s bench. This is where the influence of Pat Riley might come into play, and tales of how he made it work to championship levels with Bob McAdoo’s willingness to play off the bench. Or perhaps get McAdoo, still a Heat employee, involved, as well. Of course, new-school player might not always want to hear about old-school glory.
Q: You mentioned how the Heat spread the floor with Nikola Jovic. Couldn’t they do that also with Omer Yurtseven? – Eddie.
A: While Omer Yurtseven has shown Nikola Jovic-like 3-point skill at times, he lacks the ballhandling and playmaking of Jovic. Plus, opponents likely would not be as quick to respect Omer at the 3-point line. But, yes, a spread, five-out offense could work with the Heat’s attackers and shooters. But there also has to be a place for Bam Adebayo in the mix.
Q: Jimmy Butler’s flat-footed 3-pointers look good. – Kapil.
A: And that’s the thing, with Jimmy Butler’s ability to attack, he gets the type of space needed for such launches. These shots are truer to his form than that forced 3-point miss at the end of Game 7 of last season’s Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics.
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