Q: Ira, are we in trouble? For years, I’ve written questioning whether Bam Adebayo is truly a max-contract player. I’ve even challenged you for what I perceived as defending the organization’s inflated valuation of him. And now, here we are. Have the Heat backed themselves into a corner by overvaluing a player who, in my opinion, is better suited as a third option on a championship-caliber team? More importantly, Ira, what realistic options does Miami have to fix this? Do you see any scenario in which this ends well? – Brian.
A: Yes, Bam Adebayo has to be better, and has shown he can be better, on both ends of the court. But he also is learning how to play alongside an elite big man, something he arguably hasn’t done before. Now we’re seeing how only 28 minutes together with Gianni Antetokounmpo during the preseason is exacting a cost. Does he have to be better? Of course. Can he be better? He has shown as much. He is unique with his defensive bent, but there is a reason he is rated among league executives and coaches as elite. Now it’s about consistency. As for the salary? That ship has sailed, so to debate it at this point is almost moot.
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Q: We have met the enemy and he is us. The object of the game is to hoist 50 3s and make between 17 to 20 of them. This team is not built for that. And in terms of personnel, there’s no escape hatch. – Jerry.
A: Which was always the question in building the roster around the two-point games of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. As long as those two excel, the offense still could be there. But when one is off, that’s where the imbalance with twos instead of threes plays out. Bam Adebayo has to be better. That and the 3-point shooters making 3-pointers should be enough to get this on a better track.
Q: Why the heck is Erik Spoelstra not letting Simone Fontecchio play when outside shooting is badly needed with this team? – Verge.
A: Agree. And the defensive questions should only go so far, since it’s not as if the Heat’s volume 3-pointer shooters are necessarily plus defenders. The thought here previously was Simone Fontecchio at least in place of Nikola Jovic. Perhaps now Erik Spoelstra’s hand will be forced.