Q: Hey Ira, throughout the season I have seen many people suggest replacing Duncan Robinson in the starting lineup and your response was always to say that the lineup was good enough to be in first place. Do you think Erik Spoelstra is tinkering with the lineup due to the recent team struggles and to try to fire up the troops? Should this change have been made weeks ago as we are just weeks away from the playoffs? — Victor, Bethlehem, Pa.
A: First, I believe Erik Spoelstra’s moves are almost always made from a strategic perspective, not an emotional one. But it also was growing clear that something was off with Duncan Robinson and his wildly inconsistent swings as a starter. Now, with additional tinkering, it allows Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry to each have their moments in control of the offense, while also making sure there is ample floor spacing. For as well as Bam Adebayo meshed with Duncan, it almost was as if that became a priority, at the cost of Bam’s aggression. But, again, we’re only one game into this remix. So there hardly is much of a sample size.
Q: What happens when Caleb Martin returns? — Gene, Coral Gables.
A: That’s a good question, since I consider Caleb Martin’s hustle and defense essential to the Heat’s overall mix. Based on the remixed rotation, I could see him cutting into the minutes of Max Strus and Duncan Robinson, particularly if Caleb is hitting his 3-point shot. There also could be more smaller ball, perhaps cutting into Dewayne Dedmon. At minimum, I would think that Caleb would be next man up ahead of Victor Oladipo or Markieff Morris.
Q: I’m starting to believe that at this stage it should be Gabe Vincent over Victor Oladipo. — Kram.
A: You don’t have to believe, it is, as Monday night showed. With his superior 3-point shooting, Gabe Vincent provides more efficient spacing compared to Victor Oladipo. At this point, Victor might be more open-in-case-of-emergency, in case Jimmy Butler or Kyle Lowry are forced to miss time. And even then, he hardly has shown the return, yet, to go-to-player form.
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