ASK IRA: Are Heat learning a lesson from East playoff sideline?

Q: Ira, Boston has been winning since the first round without one of its best players. That’s the depth the Heat lack. – Nate.

A: Or you could look at it that a revived Al Horford has emerged as the perfect replacement for sidelined Kristaps Porzingis (with it somewhat remarkable that as recently as 2020-21, Horford was viewed as shot player when he was sent home at the end of a lost season by the Thunder, playing just 28 games that season)? While Pat Riley made a point at his season-ending media session to note the risks of trading away depth amid a star search, the reality is the Celtics have thrived in Porzginis’ absence because of their star talent, with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday and continuing-to-emerge Derrick White. Ultimately, the Celtics are winning because of injured opponents and the emerging truth that the East is at a point where Boston does not have to be at its best to succeed. While the East finals have been mostly competitive, the entirety of the East playoffs creates a case that many teams are merely a player away. It is that type of additional difference maker the Heat still lack.

Q: Ira, Nikola Jovic’s game and body lends itself more to a small forward as opposed to a power forward. The question is can he defend at that position? – Joel.

A: He cannot. But he can defend centers, so that is why the Heat can get away with playing him at power forward and then having Bam Adebayo defend the more nimble opposing power player. But, again, the issue is not getting caught up in positions, but rather how the Heat can get their five best players on the court. With so much wing talent, it makes more sense for the current Heat roster to maximize the wing skill sets of Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Duncan Robinson.

Q: Ira, chemistry is a thing. Maybe the Heat chemistry with part-time Jimmy Butler is just off. Maybe the team is ready to go in a new direction with Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, the young supporting cast. Could this just be a changing-of-the-guard opportunity? – Jim, Columbia, S.C.

A: But you also have to be careful of what you are changing to. Would you be comfortable with, say, falling to a 41-41 level in order to eventually recalibrate to something better? Or would you then lament all those playoff trips and playoff moments that got away? It comes down to what can be tolerated, internally and perhaps externally.