Q: Ira, when I hear all the talk about the Heat being so deep but having to stick with a nine-man rotation, I think that it is much more likely that we will ultimately through the playoffs end up with an 11-man rotation, when you consider injuries (both minor and more severe), should we make it to the NBA Finals. I believe that when it’s all said and done, Markieff Morris and Victor Oladipo will be more involved than anyone thinks, should we go the distance. — Brent, Wellington.

A: Well, based on the calf strain sustained by P.J. Tucker and the uncertainty with his timetable, you might be particularly correct about Markieff Morris (not as sure with Victor Oladipo, considering how it appears Gabe Vincent is the preferred choice there). But the problem with utilizing depth in the playoffs is that it means that someone you were counting on is not there to be counted on. And as we saw with the Heat in the 2020 NBA Finals against the Lakers, once Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic went down, that was about it. So, yes, the Heat have the type of depth that offer options as fill-ins for leading men. But just as on Broadway, when you go with the understudy, it’s just not the same production value. If there is health, the Heat’s rotation will be limited. If there isn’t, then the playoff run could be limited.

Q: Nothing tops The Warden — Tom.

A: This was in response to the piece on how Dewayne Dedmon got his nickname of The Mechanic. And, yes, Joel Anthony as The Warden certainly struck a chord. But so have several others over the Heat’s 34 seasons, including Sherman Douglas as The General, Mark Strickland as Pogo Man, Wayne Ellington as The Man With the Golden Arm, Derrick Jones Jr. as Airplane Mode, Goran Dragic as The Dragon, Dan Majerle as Thunder Dan, Rodney McGruder as The Scavenger, Gary Payton as The Glove, Jason Williams as White Chocolate, Dwyane Wade as Flash, and, of course, Chris Andersen as Birdman.

Q: To me, a full-time Heat fan who watches every possible game during the long, tough 82-game season, first in the 15-team Eastern Conference is a big deal. Playoffs are different, where a toe on the 3-point line can make the difference between winning and elimination. And that is OK, too, just different. — Roland, Borrego Springs, Calif.

A: Exactly. It has been a heck of a six-month ride, one that deserves to be celebrated.

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