Q: Ira, assuming Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry come again for Game 1 of the second spherical, and with the emergence of Victor Oladipo, has Duncan Robinson performed himself out of the rotation? — Joel, Fort Lauderdale.
A: This is the place it will get attention-grabbing. So usually we hear the Heat described as a meritocracy. We additionally usually hear Erik Spoelstra say how it isn’t in regards to the last column within the field rating, the place level totals are listed. But after Duncan Robinson’s second scoreless sport of the Hawks sequence on Tuesday night time (with one other sport when he had simply three factors), I’m undecided there are various different aspects of his sport you possibly can level to as compensating. Yes, Duncan areas the ground. But it must be about multiple factor. And if it solely is about one factor and the photographs constantly aren’t falling, you will have to maneuver on. So, in a meritocracy, it will seem that not solely would Victor Oladipo benefit a rotation spot, but in addition Caleb Martin and Gabe Vincent, as properly. That stated, I’m undecided having Victor on the courtroom with Jimmy Butler is perfect due to the similarity of their video games. But the minutes when Jimmy is off properly might make sense. It definitely might be attention-grabbing to see what comes subsequent.
Q: Can you actually bury Victor Oladipo again on the bench after what we’ve seen? Not solely is he an asset within the playoffs, however getting a deal with on the place he suits this staff going ahead is essential. Thoughts? — Bob, Davie.
A: First, you aren’t beginning Victor Oladipo over Jimmy Butler or Kyle Lowry. And you merely must have spacing within the first 5, which Max Strus gives. So it turns into a matter of constructing it work for Victor Oladipo alongside Tyler Herro off the bench. But so far as getting a deal with on the place Victor suits going ahead, that’s a priority for an additional day. The playoffs are not any time to plan for the long run, simply as they aren’t a time to attempt to show that Duncan Robinson is price his contract. This is all about dwelling within the second, securing the remaining 12 victories wanted for a title.
Q: Erik Spoelstra deserves a ton of respect for the teaching job he has carried out this yr. Getting everybody on the Heat to purchase right into a “next man up” philosophy and never make excuses, whereas persevering with to win huge video games, solely proves what an ideal coach Spoelstra has grow to be. — Greg, Jacksonville.
A: Agreed. And it’s one more reason why I’d want to see the NBA’s annual awards be voted upon after the postseason, after essentially the most significant video games, Coaching is about way over the primary 82. And it’s within the playoffs when true teaching brilliance shines, which we’ve seen in a number of circumstances through the first spherical, with Erik Spoelstra and Ime Udoka on the high of that listing.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com