dpQ: Ira, I enjoyed Klay Thompson’s game vs. Indiana as much as anyone, but isn’t he the same as Tyler Herro the way defenses go at him? What about all you had to say about Boy Wonder? – Tal.
A: Yes, there have been several opponents who have targeted Klay Thompson through the first-plus week of the season. And, no, the defense is not what it used to be, Klay now also without the type of athleticism that Tyler Herro offered. But this also is apples to oranges. With Tyler, the Heat had to have him on the court, because he was counted on as a leading scorer. With Klay, there is no such mandate or expectation. If he’s making 3-pointers, then his threes still will be worth more than the opposing twos that he has been yielding. And if he’s not scoring, then he sits at the finish, as has been the case several times this season. The greater overall difference is Klay is being paid and utilized as a complementary role player, a specialist. With Tyler, the defensive issues were left exposed for far longer periods, out of roster necessity, and, to a degree, salary necessity.
Q: It feels like the 0-4 start was talked to death. Now that the bleeding’s been stopped, there’s very little left to discuss and we need a larger sample of game under various conditions. I don’t think I’m the exception in not yet knowing how good the team will be. I don’t think we’ll have a good read until they’re well into seven or eight games against top teams. So at least 15 games into the season for a good read. – Morgan, New Orleans.
A: Yes, but let’s not lose sight of the projections of how close the East is expected to stand. In that regard, letting one or two slip away against the likes of shorthanded Charlotte or the blown lead against Dallas still could come back to bite. But, yes, quality wins also would go a long way toward further erasing doubts. The reality is that beating an uneven Hawks roster and then a shorthanded Pacers roster hardly is the stuff of turnaround. A quality win against the Lakers would be more telling, as would sustained winning, and a winning five-game trip.
Q: Three offensive rules the Heat need to follow to win: 1. Neither big should shoot a three unless the clock is about to expire. 2. Andrew Wiggins should not shoot from the side when he’s not at least a step in front of the backboard. 3. Unless they’re wide open, the guys on the perimeter need to move more, not be stagnant. Agree? – Michael, Coral Gables.
A: I’m not sure you can stop either Giannis Antetokounmpo or Bam Adebayo from shooting when wide open from the arc, at least not without damaging their confidence. That said, the attempts should be kept at a minimum. As for Andrew Wiggins, it does seem to be a stretch when players get too deep against the baseline for corner threes. But your final point is the most cogent. Sometimes this offense grows far too stagnant in the halfcourt, as if waiting for Giannis to first make up his mind. Then again, for all of this, an adjustment period is to be expected when learning to play alongside a generational talent.
