ASK IRA: Can the Heat smooth out the Herro coaster?
Q: Ira, please explain Tyler Herro to me. I want to love him (OK, I do). But some of those shot attempts . . . What do the coaches say to him? – David.
A: There is a certain acceptance when you have a player who can convert what otherwise would be bad shots. Tyler Herro hit a few of those early on Wednesday night against the Thunder, so you sort of ride with it. But this rollercoaster of scoring the past three games is why there remains concern about Tyler as a go-to player at closing time (and why the Heat continue to miss Jimmy Butler). Weaning Tyler off the bad shots would be one thing. But he still has to find a way to score when needed, not the scoreless fourth quarter he put together against the Thunder, when Bam Adebayo and Jaime Jaquez Jr. were the only Heat players to score in the period. Just a year ago, the fourth quarters were all about Tyler. He and the Heat need to get back to that, especially in the games that Jimmy misses.
Q: Ira, is something going on with Bam Adebayo? He began the season aggressive and dominating, like I always envisioned he could be. It feels like he’s reverted back to being more passive. Even Wednesday night’s game against the Thunder, Bam started off so slow his points late feel somewhat empty. – Brian, Miami Shores.
A: Actually, I think you have to give Bam Adebayo credit for recognizing that more was needed against the Thunder and then doing what he could, in a forceful manner, in that fourth quarter. But again, with Jimmy Butler out, and the Heat having played so many games this season without other scoring options, appreciate the burden on Bam. In the end, it was a solid, if not overwhelming night for Bam. He was not the reason the Heat lost.
Q: They gotta make a trade. Can’t score. – Diamond.
A: They scored 120. Get Jimmy Butler back and that’s another 20. A lack of scoring or offense wasn’t the issue Wednesday night.