Q: Ira, I think we can all agree that Tyler Herro is not going to ever be a lockdown defender. Yes, he needs to improve, but for Herro to really break into elite level he needs to be unstoppable on most nights. He was not especially in the last third of the season this year as he faced multiple defenders. I’d rather talk about Herro averaging 24 points, six assists and seven rebounds next year than, “Hey, did you see how Herro shut down X or Y player?” For the Heat to get to the next level, Herro’s offensive game has to be wow and his defense simply adequate. – Brian, Fort Lauderdale.
A: Agree. There are oodles of offensively elite players in the league who are subpar defenders (with Stephen Curry currently front and center in that regard). This is an era when good offense can trump good defense. It is why when Duncan Robinson was a great 3-point shooter, he was a starter. So, yes, Tyler Herro needs to be close to an elite level with his offense in order to compensate for what is unlikely to emerge as defensive excellence. It doesn’t have to be Curry-level offense, but it has to be consistent and at high productivity.
Q: Hey Ira, I thought the Warriors would be invincible, but seeing how they are looking fairly vulnerable this time around, how much of a chance did we miss for this 2021-2022 Heat group to get a ring? I think playoff Jimmy Butler and assertive Bam Adebayo plus whomever can hit a few threes would be enough to challenge a Warriors team that isn’t looking nearly as dominant as they did in 2015-2017 (let’s not count the Keven Durant years). So it feels like a real missed chance. I hope they can stay healthier and make better use of these opportunities next season. – Phillip, San Francisco.
A: As I watch these NBA Finals, I agree. The NBA this season did not have a mega-team. There was thought it might be the Suns, but then they fizzled. So, yes, if Jimmy Butler hit that Game 7 shot two weeks ago, the Heat certainly could have competed in these Finals against the Warriors. Perhaps that is fueling them at this very moment for another charge next season. There is no worse feeling in sports than falling just short.
Q: So you say Omer Yurtseven needs to work on his defense for the system Erik Spoelstra has, but isn’t it Erik’s job to have a system in place to get the most out of everyone’s talent, and not just the players he vouches for? Plus, when Omer started while Bam Adebayo was gone, his defense was good enough to help keep Miami afloat and in many ways his play on both ends was key in Miami being in position to get the number-one seed. The kid should’ve played more than what he was allowed to, and needs to be utilized next season. He’s too skilled to sit on the bench as a spectator. – Darryl, Fitzgerald, Ga.
A: Which is why, at minimum, I believe he gets the Dewayne Dedmon role next season. Again, it doesn’t have to happen immediately, a rush into playing time and a rotation role. Even with Bam Adebayo, there was somewhat of a slow play. The goal is to get a player to a level where he can be trusted at a playoff level. But (as the theme has been today), I agree. There needs to be and should be more Omer Yurtseven for the Heat going forward. An argument could be made that what he provided on offense and on the boards was what the initial version of Hassan Whiteside provided for the Heat on defense and on the boards.
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