ASK IRA: Is it concerning that the Heat are eight points from being 2-6?
Q: The Heat are 4-4, but it is really concerning that their four wins are against teams that are 8-24, and in those four wins they have struggled to hold on in the fourth quarter and have won two of those games by just one point? – Joel.
A: Yes, it has not been the most inspiring start of the season, nor the most inspiring means of closing out games. Some of that has to be on Kyle Lowry, simply because if you are playing a 37-year-old point guard, then leadership and steadiness should be the minimum requisite. While the Heat have young players, there also is an ample veteran presence. And that should mean something better than we have seen in recent fourth quarters.
Q: Some will point at coaching for end-of-game collapses, but the veterans need to do a better job of controlling things at the end. They are on the court, not Erik Spoelstra. – Douglas.
A: But that raises the question of whether players not following leadership is a leadership issue. For a team that advanced to last season’s NBA Finals but have looked more like a lottery team at the close of games this season, they have been very fortunate to be able to hold on against such lightweights as Detroit, Washington and Memphis. Put those three games in the loss column, and suddenly you’re looking at a 1-7 start. As it is, the Heat are eight points from being 2-6. So, yes, urgency is a major concern, even at this early stage of the season. And that, as always, has to start at the top.
Q: Well, we all remember that we made it to the playoffs and the NBA Finals with the absence of Tyler Herro. Also, we didn’t have the extra pieces last season that we have now. It’s going to be a tough few weeks, but if we can win more than we lose, we should be fine until he returns. Hopefully … – J-Rock.
A: Actually, I would proffer that there were more contributing pieces last season, at least than what we’ve seen to this stage of the season. Until Josh Richardson regains his legs and Thomas Bryant gains a better understanding of the team’s defensive precepts, it is clear the Heat are missing the presence of Max Strus and Gabe Vincent. This bench might be better in the long run, but it is not at the moment. And that is a concern, now that Tyler Herro is going to miss time.