Q: Ira, which Jimmy Butler are we going to see? I remember him being “stupidly locked in” against the Bucks two years ago and then they were swept. Last season, he didn’t say anything and they went to the East finals. – Steve.
A: For all the talk, bravado and bluster, the Heat are not built to be a one-player team. So when Jimmy Butler and the Heat were swept out of the first round by the Bucks in 2021, it was more of a case of the Heat being a No. 6 seed, simply lacking the talent to keep up with Milwaukee. Last season, the Heat were a No. 1 seed, with a well-crafted core and quality depth. This time around, as a No. 7 seed entering the play-in tournament, the Heat are probably closer to where they were in 2021. And that requires the heaviest of lifting So against the Hawks, Jimmy certainly could be able to get the Heat through to the playoffs. But it will take more than merely the best of Butler to get past Boston or Milwaukee in the first round. “Stupidly locked in” is all well and good when you have contending-level quality alongside. But do the Heat have that this season? We’re about to see.
Q: Does Omer Yurtseven play in the playoffs? – Zach.
A: The Omer Yurtseven fascination seemingly knows no bounds. By now it should be clear that Kevin Love and Cody Zeller rank ahead when it comes to minutes at backup center behind Bam Adebayo, And based on the approach over the past week, it appears the Heat will continue to try to go small at power forward with Max Strus and Caleb Martin. About the only factor working in Omer’s favor is that as a two-way player, Orlando Robinson is not eligible for the playoff roster.
Q: Ira, I would like to see Erik Spoelstra get Udonis Haslem into the playoffs. Let’s honor him one more time. – Max.
A: And ruin Sunday’s fairy-tale finish? Based on Udonis Haslem not playing all season except amid personnel emergencies, and based on the fact Udonis has not appeared in a Heat postseason game since 2016, I doubt it. Haslem has had several opportunities to take the court during garbage time in recent postseasons and has bypassed such minutes. I would expect that to continue.
()
