Q: Ira, I understand Kyle Lowry’s relationship with Jimmy Butler, but Jimmy cannot “waste” another season. Russell Westbrook is in great shape, plays 100% at all times and will benefit from Erik Spoelstra. – Brian.
A: I’m still not sure how we have gone from the point of the Heat potentially being one shot from the NBA Finals to drastic measures. First, you can be sure that the Lakers could not get to the dotted line fast enough when it could come to such a potential deal. Beyond that, what exactly did Russell Wesbrook show last season that would inspire any level of confidence from any acquiring team? Yes, when ailing or absent Kyle Lowry did not meet the Heat’s most pressing needs. But there also was ample time when he showed he was exactly what the team required. And not to continually be redundant here, but Kyle was brought in at Jimmy Butler’s behest. I’m not sure a run to the Eastern Conference finals in any way altered Jimmy’s feelings toward Kyle. Now, could there be a deal too good to pass up for Kyle? Possibly (but not likely). But we certainly have not reached anything close to the Russell Westbrook portion of such a discussion.
Q: One thing for sure, is that next year it will be fun to watch these East teams battling it out. The NBA clearly needs to address the length of the season. It became the last man standing, literally. – Rod.
A: And that’s the thing, even if the Celtics win the title, I’m still not sure that the East still won’t be viewed as, at the least, a four-team free-for-all, when considering the possibilities of the Heat, Bucks and 76ers, as well as the Celtics. And that could expand to also include the Nets, if they get their Kevin Durant-Kyrie Irving chemistry right. So, yes, it would not be beyond the realm of the Celtics winning this season’s title and then fighting to avoid a No. 5 seed next season. The East has become what the West previously had been.
Q: Why did so many Heat players have to remind themselves to be aggressive in the playoffs? – Cesar, Sanford.
A: Because when you play an ensemble approach all season, when you stress ball movement, getting the ball from good to better to best for shots, that becomes the mindset. In the playoffs, the defense is ready for those passes. That’s when you have to take it to another individual level. And that, at times, was what got lost for the Heat in the translation, beyond Jimmy Butler’s self-willing. You can see in the NBA Finals how multiple such scorers are needed, as the Celtics are showing with Jaylen Brown.
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