ASK IRA: Can the Heat win in the playoffs with style points?
Can the Miami Heat replicate their approach vs. the Chicago Bulls in the play-in round with the same style against the Boston Celtics in the opening round of the playoffs?
Q: Ira, it was good to see a game where everyone competed hard and contributed instead of “dragging the game into the mud,” This game will be my memory of the season. Maybe it does make sense to move Jimmy Butler’s salary and bring in some players who will play hard the whole season. – Rich, Plantation.
A: First, there were plenty of moments when Friday night’s victory over the Bulls was in, to use Erik Spoelstra’s term, “in the mud.” It was largely a slog interrupted by a few breaktaking Heat moments. As for Jimmy Butler, it comes down to whether you value an entertaining, competitive regular season more than at least a puncher’s chance in the playoffs. It seems like during the regular season, fans want the former, but those are the same fans who question in the postseason whether a team is built for the playoffs.
Q: This isn’t a knock on Jimmy Butler, but the Heat can play faster and more up-tempo without him. This can help their offense. Delon Wright has brought great energy when he is on the court. – Stuart, Miami.
A: Which is all well and good if the ultimate goal is to be entertained. But the playoffs are when the pace slows and it often comes down to individuals, and Jimmy Butler has shown that the postseason is his time – when ambulatory. So, yes, the Heat may bring a more entertaining style to this series with an up-tempo approach, but they also will bring one fewer, crucial scoring option when points will be at a premium. As for Delon Wright, opportunity has knocked and he has seized his moment. You can see how a veteran presence in reserve can help in such situations.
Q: Great effort Friday night defensively but the Bulls missed a ton of open looks and Bam Adebayo was pretty ineffective offensively, which bodes poorly for the Celtics series. – Howard, Chapel Hill.
A: To use another Erik Spoelstra term, I think Friday is night you give Bam Adebayo ample “grace” when it comes to his offensive play, considering how much he put into his effort on the other side of the floor, in taking on the challenge of DeMar DeRozan. No player on the Heat roster – none – is asked to do as much on both ends as Bam. Friday, his defense was needed and he came through. Friday, his offense wasn’t needed, so he didn’t need to come through. The upshot: The Heat likely do not win on Friday night without the effort provided by Bam.