Q: So let's get this straight, Mike Miller averages roughly 13 points a game for three weeks and earns no playing time? -- Bo.
A: Um, perhaps I might have missed something. But the Heat did win Sunday's opener 110-87. So Spoelstra made a mistake with his rotation how? In fact, save for Shane Battier being off with his shot, just about everyone who played in the primary rotation had their moments. This is who the Heat are, a team of quality depth. Perhaps the consternation should be for the Bucks not playing Samuel Dalembert or not even having Drew Gooden active.
Q: Chris Andersen has become the Heat's Dennis Rodman. We've got to get him on a two-year deal this summer. He's a major piece. -- D.J.
A: And as long as he's willing to play for $3 million a season (the most the Heat can offer), it shouldn't be an issue. Birdman sure looks like he's having a good enough time.
APRIL 21, 2013
Q: What situation would LeBron be in if he didn't win the championship last season? He seems to have led a charmed existence since. -- Winston, Auckland.
A: On one hand, the 2012 title allowed LeBron to exhale this season, and he seemingly became both a different player and different person. Yet I like the approach he has taken on the eve of these playoffs, looking at it as if he is trying to win his first title all over again. LeBron's hunger was undeniable during last year's playoffs. A similar approach in these opening games effectively would put the league on notice.
Q: Sometimes I wish they hired The Rock to do some trash talking on behalf of the Heat. -- Eddie.
A: And yet the Heat are the ones saying there is no need for trash talk, just respect for the opposition and the process. In fact, for all the talk that has come out of Milwaukee, has there been a single Heat player who has attached a prediction or number to this series against the Bucks? There is no need for the Heat or anyone else to smell what The Rock is cooking. They already have the championship scent.
Q: Stan Van Gundy, Phil Jackson (if he wants to coach again) or any quality coach should probably wait another year before getting back into coaching because the real estate could change in 2014. -- Stuart.
A: Or teams could try to put those types of coaches in place ahead of time in order to immediately try to attract the attention of impending 2014 free agents. But I'm not sure we'll ever see Phil Jackson on the sidelines again. We could, however, again see a pair of Van Gundys.
APRIL 20, 2013
Q: I see nothing wrong his Brandon Jennings' comments. Why compete if you don't think you can win? That's why the games are played. -- Jenkins.
A: Totally agree. But there also is something to be said about letting your play do the talking. It would be one thing if Jennings didn't previously say he was hoping to play the Heat in the opening round, with the Bucks then essentially falling apart, surviving only because there wasn't a ninth, playoff-worthy team in the East. The difference between confidence and cockiness is a fine line. Cockiness is when you haven't done anything yet to back up the talk. Brandon still seems to fall into that category.
Q: Do you find it strange that the Miami Heat will not be on ABC during the opening weekend of the NBA playoffs? -- Stuart.
A: Well, the only chance would have been for Game 1, and with only two ABC slots on opening weekend, an argument could be made that the chance of a blowout was too risky. Still, it used to be that Lakers vs. anyone was network worthy back in the Shaq-Kobe days. The fact that Heat-Bucks in Game 2 is on NBA TV says that the NBA networks' current approach is anyone but the Bucks.
Q: Hi Ira, do you expect to see Monta Ellis' self comparison to Dwyane Wade resurface within the next few days? -- Omied, Los Angeles.