Q: Am I being delusional when I say we can beat the Cavs in a seven-game series? – Lou.
A: I’m not sure about “delusional,” but you are getting way ahead of yourself, with the Heat first having to beat Chicago and then either Boston or Atlanta just to get there. Against that level of competition, the Heat have been fine, with a 25-14 record against teams with losing records this season. The problem is there also is a 12-30 record against teams with winning records. The Heat simply have not been up to that level of pedigree. That said, the Heat did win one of their three games against the Cavaliers this season, and also were a Duncan Robinson foot on the sideline away from a potential win in Cleveland. I would put it this way, I think Cleveland is a better matchup for the Heat than Boston. But it also is an ultimate challenge. But, again, get there first.
Q: The Heat will have a Davion Mitchell dilemma after this season. With his play Mitchell as a free agent will probably get an offer from another team which will be more than the Heat want, or can afford to play. Do they over pay him or let him walk like Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, etc. – Joel.
A: I know by being out of sight and therefore out of mind, that Dru Smith has become somewhat lost in the Heat personnel equation. But if Dru can come back from his Achilles tear and be anything close to what he was when he went out, then he well could stand ahead of Davion Mitchell when it comes to questions of cost efficiency going forward. I’m not sure you need both Dru and Davion on the roster going forward, with all due respect to both. I know that is a roundabout response, but the thought here is that if Davion gets a contract offer similar to what lured Max Strus or Gabe Vincent to leave, then the Heat simply circle back to Dru Smith and move forward in that direction. All that said, Davion has provided an unexpected boost.
Q: If Erik Spoelstra were at another franchise he would be fired a long time ago. So seeing how Michael Malone just got fired by the Nuggets, Pat Riley is a genius for keeping the stability with Erik Spoelstra. These other idiots just jump the gun. Us as fans we jump the gun sometimes. but to see it from owners and decision makers is crazy. Go get Mike Malone as an assistant so we can trade for Nikola Jokic, we have the pieces. – Swann.
A: Ha. Could you imagine Nikola Jokic and Nikola Jovic on the same roster? But to your greater point, there is a reason for the second syllable in kneejerk. If the Heat had panicked at the first signs of trouble, they would be up to their umpteenth coach by now. Instead, they have a coach that most players respect and desire to play for.
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