ASK IRA: Is Heat’s Duncan Robinson the favorite to start in place of Tyler Herro?
Q: Duncan Robinson is better than Victor Oladipo. – Ernesto.
A: First, I’m not sure that is a debate you are going to find on ESPN, NBA TV or many other venues. Second, it’s not one that likely needs to be debated here, either. When it comes to complementary roles, which will be the place for Tyler Herro’s lineup replacement in Wednesday night’s Game 2 against the Bucks, it is simpler to cast Duncan Robinson in that role than a player who might be inclined to do more. So if you’re asking for a prediction for a Herro replacement in the starting lineup, or the type of odds on such propositions offered by offshore and other books these days, I’d list the odds of Herro’s starting replacement as: 1. Duncan Robinson, 2. Kevin Love, 3. Caleb Martin, 4. Haywood Highsmith, 5. Kyle Lowry, 6. The Field (with all due respect to Victor Oladipo). That’s when counting the other four starters remaining Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, Max Strus and Gabe Vincent.
Q: Can the Heat add to the roster in place of Tyler Herro being hurt? – Funk.
A: Nope. You have to be decimated injury-wise before outside players can be added. That’s why you have 15 players on your playoff roster in the first place. Now, if your roster lacks suitable replacement options, that is on your front office. But considering you only play five at a time, typically only have eight or nine in the playoff rotation, it’s not as if there shouldn’t already be ample depth available.
Q: The disrespect of being on NBA TV? SMH. – Diego.
A: Someone has to go there when Turner is handling the night and there are more than two games. Such is life as a No. 8 seed. And with the Lakers playing in Memphis, that rules the night as the early game (all LeBron James all the time, just like in his Heat days). So would you rather have Heat-Bucks starting at 9 p.m. in Milwaukee and 10 p.m. Eastern instead of Timberwolves at Nuggets? Beside there’s Bally Sports Sun in South Florida, complete with all the Kabooms you need.
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