Q: P.J. Tucker looks and plays like someone squashed P.J. Brown down about 6 inches shorter and 6 inches wider. Heck, they even have the same name. As important as Jae Crowder was during our 2020 NBA Finals run, the same can be said about Brown, er, I mean Tucker. – Joey, Plantation.

A: Actually you raise an interesting debate about the better fit and better contributor between Jae Crowder and P.J. Tucker. For the last three seasons, the Heat have gone with a veteran placeholder at power forward. In 2019-20, it was Crowder. Last season, Trevor Ariza. This season, Tucker. For now, you might have to give the edge to Crowder, since he helped the Heat advance within two wins of the 2020 championship. But such a runway, or perhaps even more, is still there for Tucker. Crowder was more of an offensive threat, with Tucker more of a two-way presence. The irony is that there will be a similar question with Tucker as with Crowder: Can the Heat retain him? Tucker has an opt-out this summer. Or will it simply be next man up from the pool of available veteran power forwards?

Q: We look so dead behind the basket compared to other teams. Why don’t the Heat fans have white noodles like the Philadelphia fans, when the opposition team is shooting free throws? – Amparo, Delray Beach.

A: Among the reasons I didn’t put this question first is I’m not sure it would have been prudent to go with a headline of: Should Heat fans be waving their white noodles? I’ll just leave it at that.

Q: Ira, please tell me why the NBA community is so hesitant to give the Miami Heat any credit for their better-than-expected run so far this year? It is so frustrating as a Miami fan to constantly be looking for something that never comes from the press and the rest of the NBA family. It’s almost like they’ve never forgiven the Heat for their Big Three in 2010 that angered so many people. – Brent, Wellington.

A: Nah. What the national media looks for are storylines. And except for Jimmy Butler’s sideline eruption in March, the Heat haven’t offered many this season. Those who focus on basketball appreciate what has been accomplished and what still can be achieved. Those who are focusing on the salacious and the juicy bits know it’s almost always better to turn toward New York and Los Angeles in those instances.

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