A: It's an odd situation. He couldn't have looked any more explosive than he did in Tuesday's home victory, then he came out and had a career-worst postseason shooting effort in Milwaukee on Thursday night. For a while, I thought they were playing possum about the knee, but there clearly is an issue. While holding him out Sunday might be extreme, getting a victory Sunday would be significant because it would guarantee at least five days off before the next round begins. When Dwyane has been fresh, he has been very good. But clearly he will have to be nursed through upcoming games.
Q: Samuel Dalembert said that Heat would be one of his options this summer. With Birdman likely to be offered a new contract, do you think the Heat still want him? Maybe he can take Udonis Haslem's role -- Tom, Maryland.
A: At best, Dalembert would be a fallback option if Chris Andersen signs for more elsewhere or perhaps if Joel Anthony's contract could be offloaded. But for as much as Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra talk about the Heat's culture, I'm not sure that Dalembert fits that culture. I'm not sure he has the passion for the game that the Heat insist upon. If there is Heat interest, it would come later in free agency, if at all, and at the minimum, at the most. He hardly was impressive Thursday. I don't know what Drew Gooden has done, but you would think with some of the Bucks' struggles that they would be able to find minutes for him, perhaps instead of Dalembert.
Q: Where have the white seat covers gone for the "White Hot" home games? -- Jim, Fort Lauderdale.
A: LeBron needed them for his impending wedding.
APRIL 25, 2013
Q: I would love to see more of Chris Bosh going to the hoop. -- Chet.
A: But that's not the strategy this series. The strategy is to draw Larry Sanders to the perimeter, and possibly Ersan Ilyasova, as well, to create those driving lanes that LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have been taking advantage of. When you think about all the penetration LeBron and Dwyane have produced, do you really want to reduce that just to create opportunities for Bosh? To a degree, this is another case of the "sacrifice" that Erik Spoelstra talks about, of Chris getting out of the way for the greater good.
Q: Ira, your "if it ain't broke" mentality is all well and good, but what if it's cracked? I mean. it clearly looks like Udonis Haslem's fast-twitch muscles went slow-twitch in a matter of months. Haslem needs to see playing time sparingly these days. -- Jowall, Hialeah.
A: But that's exactly what is happening, with Udonis playing minimal minutes. And, fact is, at 2-0 in this series, it ain't broke. It still is highly possible Erik Spoelstra makes a lineup switch with Udonis -- when, or if, needed. For now, it's all good just the way it is.
Q: I know all these LeBron questions about 2014 are annoying because it all depends on the final outcome of this and next season, where he goes. However, with the hiring of Mike Brown, do you see that as working in favor of the Cavs in 2014 or against them in trying to acquire LeBron? -- Jeremy, Hollywood.
A: Neither. LeBron didn't leave the Cavaliers to play for Erik Spoelstra. He left to play alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh (and, truth be told, Mike Miller). If the Cavaliers can add another A-list draft choice alongside Kyrie Irving and then sign a top-tier free agent either this offseason or in 2014, only then will LeBron seriously deliberate Cleveland. He's not leaving to play for Brown with Cleveland's roster as currently constituted.
APRIL 24, 2013
Q: Who do you think the Heat would prefer playing in the second round? I think history has proven time and time again that it takes offensively-skilled players to win in the playoffs and Brooklyn has a few of them on its roster, while Chicago, although a very gritty team, has absolutely none without Derrick Rose. Let's face it, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng are certainly not All-Stars because of their abilities on the offensive end. -- Kevin
A: There's still something about the Bulls that causes concern. Perhaps it's Tom Thibodeau's ability to squeeze every last ounce out of his available roster, as he did in Monday's victory in Brooklyn. Perhaps it's Rose lingering there in the background, amid reports about how he's "killing it" in practice. If the Nets advance to the second round, they'd probably hold a parade in Brooklyn. If the Bulls advance, they'd want even more, possibly with Rose back in the lineup. For now, the best option is to have them beat each other up in a lengthy series, while the Heat focus on making quick work of the Bucks in Milwaukee.
Q: The Heat remind me of Muhammad Ali, make you think you have a chance, but then you are all punched out and Ali knocks you out in the late rounds. -- Martin.
A: Which might work against Joe Bugner and the Bucks, but it is a dangerous game for the Heat to try to play in later rounds, when opponents such as the Knicks or Pacers will be better suited to match them blow for bow.
Q: I am not complaining. The Heat are up 2-0 against Milwaukee. But can't we see more of Mike Miller? When his shot is falling, fans fill the arena with the same energy we see from Birdman and Norris Cole. Miller can easily run off five or six threes in a row. In last year's NBA Finals, he basically destroyed any chance of OKC winning Game 5. Miller also rebounds and has an uncanny ability to make plays by being in the right place on the court. He is a fan favorite and healthy now. In practice, Miller doesn't miss. It seems unfathomable that such a pure shooter (nothing but net) doesn't get to play more often. I heard one fan say play him instead of Udonis Haslem. Why can't Spoelstra move to a ten-man rotation? -- Stuart.
