Q: Ira, simply listened to Bill Simmons and Justine Tremaine dissing the Heat as not being a contender. The misplaced P.J. Tucker and now the sky is falling? – Tennison.
A: I simply went again and listened to what you referenced, and, as with all evaluation, you actually can strategy from the half-empty perspective. Among their ideas was how dangerous Kyle Lowry appeared within the playoffs, how Victor Oladipo hasn’t been Victor Oladipo shortly, and the way the remainder of the East has been bolstered. All are affordable . . . in a half-empty vacuum. Or, you might have a look at Kyle Lowry bouncing again to one thing nearer to himself, Victor Oladipo being wholesome firstly of a season for the primary time in years, and the way there stays sufficient youth in place for inner progress (Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Omer Yurtseven) to offset the lack of a 37-year-old energy ahead. Of course, that is what summer time hypothesis is all about. But it has been uncommon when the Heat have allowed uncertainty to beat potential. Yes, damage is all the time a priority. Yes, age is an element. But it’s not as if being caught in place is similar as falling off a cliff. The Heat nonetheless are far nearer to doubtlessly being superb than being very dangerous. Several issues nonetheless must occur for the Heat to re-emerge as contenders. But much more must go mistaken for the Heat to fall to play-in degree.
Q: Hello, Ira. I’m simply pondering that Myles Turner makes $18 million and Duncan Robinson makes $16.9 million. Could a commerce be labored out? – Rolando, Borrego Springs, Calif.
A: First, whereas Myles Turner actually may very well be enticing to the Heat, I’m unsure the identical could be the case with Duncan Robinson from a Pacers perspective. Plus, whereas the salaries are shut sufficient for commerce functions underneath the cap, Myles’ contract expires after this season, whereas Duncan nonetheless has three extra years, at $58 million remaining. And that’s the rub with all Duncan commerce permutations. It’s not solely about taking over his cash for this coming season, but in addition all the cash due going ahead. By distinction, one of many causes that Indiana is perhaps keen to half with Myles is a reluctance to supply such a bit of wage going ahead.
Q: Miami has a historical past of bringing the very best defensively out of their gamers so why wouldn’t they with Donovan Mitchell? – H.G.
A: And they very properly might. And, based mostly on their monitor document, they very properly will. But you might make the identical argument with Tyler Herro, who’s even youthful than Donovan Mitchell, and subsequently, maybe nonetheless with extra room to develop on that finish. Still, based mostly on the way in which opponents went at Tyler (albeit whereas injured) within the playoffs, there additionally may very well be concern that Tyler has reached his defensive ceiling within the Heat system.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com