Q: Those Pacers scare me. They're huge, relentless and could very well wear our team out. This is going to be a series. -- Shep, D.C.
A: Yup. And they also have a player in Paul George who is proving up to the moment, not as much for that wild 3-pointer at the end of regulation, but more for the way he stepped up and made those three free throws with 2.2 seconds left in overtime, doing something Ray Allen couldn't do at the end of regulation. But it also could be argued that the Heat have taken David West's best shot.
MAY 22, 2013
Q: Do you think the Heat are too good? I know the ultimate test(s) are still to come in the remainder of the playoffs. The Heat are 45-3 in their last 48 games. Does this make for compelling basketball? -- Stuart.
A: So you're saying the Bulls weren't compelling when they had Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen? Even then, there were playoff challenges for Chicago, just as there likely will be for the Heat. The NBA long has been about repeat champions. Winning once barely tends to resonate. With the Heat, we're at the stage where they're only starting to make a name for themselves with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. That alone creates must-see viewing. If they don't back up last season's title and this season's 66-16 record, there will be plenty of compelling discussion that will follow.
Q: Please settle a bet: Outside of LeBron, who is playing the best for the Heat in these playoffs? -- Shawn, Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
A: Bosh among the stars, Norris Cole among the supporting players. It's sort of apples and oranges to compare otherwise, because of the sizes of their roles.
Q: Will the Heat look into this year's draft? What are the possible moves the Heat will make to acquire young talent? -- Francis, Manila.
A: They already are scouting, so I'm sure if a player grows on them, they would make a move. Remember, they own an attractive lottery-protected pick from the 76ers and might be willing to put that into play. They also could trade one of their spare veterans or even buy a second-round pick, which also is allowed.
MAY 21, 2013
Q: Do you think we'll see more Mike Miller against the Pacers? Aside from 3-point shooting, he is a good rebounder and ballhandler. He could be valuable, especially if Dwyane Wade is ineffective or hurting. -- David.
A: While Miller certainly remains Plan B if Wade is unable to play, I have another hunch, which might prove moot if the Heat continue their current roll that has them with 45 victories in their last 48 games. But what about Rashard Lewis? He would supply shooting on one end and length on the other. For all those times when Erik Spoelstra said he could see a possible postseason moment for each member of his roster, that moment could be at hand for Rashard, who is yet another element the Heat did not have for last season's series against Indiana,
Q: Why the contrast between scheduling between the Western Conference and Eastern Conference? Memphis and San Antonio will be through Game 2 before we even get started. That's ridiculous. -- Michael
A: It's because ABC had to have a Sunday game. And rather than have the Grizzlies sit idly in San Antonio, they instead built the break into that schedule after the second game, so each team could spent the intervening time at home. Heat-Pacers will complete its second game before Game 3 of Grizzlies-Spurs in Memphis on Saturday night.
Q: Ira, good column on the Bulls and the Heat. Anytime anyone starts talking up Pat Riley as being some sort of a genius, I always point to his awful judgment on drafting Michael Beasley second overall in 2008 and passing on Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love. -- Jack.
A: Riley ultimately felt corned into taking Beasley, but he knew from the get-go there was a clear, singular top pick in that draft, in Derrick Rose. Still, you have to give him credit for recovering from that and actually finding a taker to unload Beasley on, in the Timberwolves. The Heat recovered from the type of error that can penalize a team for years.