ASK IRA: When does Heat wait end in Jimmy Butler waiting game?
Q: Here’s a question most fans are curious about and I hope you’ll address it. Is the organization and teammates disappointed in Jimmy Butler due to his passiveness during many games and excessive absences. Also, the fans don’t deserve watered-down regular-season games in light of the high ticket prices. I’ve heard from you that the thinking is that it’ll all possibly be righted in the postseason, as it has been in three of the past four years. But what if it’s not. It seems Jimmy (and the team I suppose) is making a big gamble – and frustrating fans. Thoughts? – Brian.
A: Such is the deal with the devil you make with Playoff Jimmy. And it pretty much is as you note – playoff success and all will be forgotten. But if there is a flameout in the playoffs, then I do believe management will have to address the willingness to accept the approach going forward. The concern is the ability (or inability) to flip a switch. Still, you would like to see that switch flipped now, while there still is a possible escape hatch from the play-in round. Tuesday against the Knicks hardly inspired such confidence, even in victory.
Q: Tyler should be back by the Pacers game. It’s time. – Abel.
A: I’ll let him know. Friday marks three weeks from the injection in his foot, which is roughly the timetable for a return (one week off the foot recovering from the shot, two weeks of working back). But I’m not sure the showdown against the Pacers is the spot for such uncertainty of a comeback. Friday in Houston, in a non-conference game, would seem more preferable.
Q: Does Jimmy Butler play both games of this back-to-back? – Anson.
A: I would hope at this stage of the season that every game would be go time. The only exception I could see would perhaps be with Kevin Love, perhaps not wanting to subject him to a back-to-back the first week back after missing more than a month.