Q: Ira, appreciating there are other factors in play, how can the Heat, with their lack of shooting, afford to lose Cole Swider to the Pacers? – Laurence.
A: Because over their history, at least during the Pat Riley years, the Heat rarely have played one-dimensional shooters, from Jason Kapono to James Jones. And, in fact, Duncan Robinson’s minutes came around only when he also showed some defensive chops while also adding an off-the-dribble game. In the end, the Heat likely decided, with all due respect to Cole Swider’s shooting, that there wasn’t enough to the rest of his game to get him into the rotation. That said, plenty of teams have valued shooters simply for their shooting, so perhaps Cole now will find himself in a better place. All of that said, what Cole signed with the Pacers basically was a camp tryout contract. Still, you make a reasonable point that beyond Robinson, it’s not as if the current Heat roster presents much in the way of gravity at the 3-point arc. Whether this means the Heat still wouldn’t trade Duncan is another story.
Q: Until Bam Adebayo can show he can make another big shine (Kel’el Ware, Nikola Jovic, Thomas Bryant) and make the team win, then he’s not deserving as the face of the franchise. So far, whenever you play another big with Bam (Hassan Whiteside, Orlando Robinson, Nikola Jovic, etc.), the Heat lose. – Vip.
A: But part of such an equation is fit. It has to be a complementary fit, just not any big man. As for your examples, Orlando Robinson is a bit of a stretch considering he hardly has gained an NBA foothold. As for Hassan Whiteside, his quick descent following his Heat departure says all that needs to be said. But the pairing with Nikola Jovic was encouraging, as could be an eventual pairing with Kel’el Ware. But let’s not blame the player for not creating chemistry, without first seeing if the front office has provided what is needed for such big-big chemistry. And let’s also not lose sight of the reality that some of the best fits alongside Bam Adebayo have been smaller-ball types, such as Jae Crowder and P.J. Tucker. Height is only one element of creating a bigger frontcourt.
Q: Grant Hill said it was by “accident” that the U.S. Men’s Olympic Team discovered Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis could be effective playing together. Due to injuries and late arriving players in Las Vegas, Bam got a chance to play with Davis. Seems like your “Ask Ira” readers knew Bam could play this way a few years ago. – Stuart, Miami.
A: But, again, it has to be alongside the right big man. And for all that Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis have accomplished as a duo during these Paris Games, it is a lot easier to make any tandem work when flanked by future Hall of Famers. What Bam has shown during these Olympics is that he works best when utilized alongside talent. To a degree, he potentially is showing he can be what Chris Bosh was during the Heat’s Big Three era.
