MAY 20, 2013
Q: OK Ira, should we be worried about Dwyane Wade's ability to play Lance Stephenson? Stephenson just looks so much more athletic than Wade. -- Teresa, Miami.
A: First, don't overstate one game. Yes, Lance looked world class on Saturday night, but the way his teammates and coach gushed tells you how surprised they were, how atypical the performance was. Yes, if Stephenson plays as well as he did in Game 6 against the Knicks and if Wade plays as middling as he did against the Bulls, then a significant advantage would be lost for the Heat. But those are two sizable "ifs." The reality, at least to this point, is that Lance Stephenson on his best day is not the player Dwyane Wade is on his most pedestrian of days.
Q: Wow, the Spurs look complete. I did not expect them to control Memphis so completely. Sure it's only one game and in San Antonio, but the Spurs are formidable at both ends. -- Chet.
A: But the Grizzlies haven't won an opener this postseason, so let's see how it plays out. Now, if the Spurs put together another rout on Tuesday night, then Heat long-range thoughts certainly could turn in that direction, considering Spurs-Grizzlies will have gone two games before the Heat even open the East semifinals.
Q: Sure the Pacers are a better team this year, but I'm tired of hearing how they pushed the Heat last year. Did people forget that Chris Bosh barely played in that series (plus the Heat played with a hobbling Wade)? C'mon people. -- Ryan, Naples.
A: So the Heat basically are injecting Bosh, Chris Andersen and Ray Allen into last year's mix. I agree, that's a considerable net gain. Yes, the Pacers are rough and tough, but they still will have to find a way to score.
MAY 19, 2013
Q: The Pacers will be a tough opponent and the Heat need to do better on the boards than they did against the Pacers in the regular season. Can you see a possible Chris Bosh/Chris Anderson tandem at times if rebounding becomes an issue? -- Martin.A: I think everyone has to get over the rebounding numbers with the Heat, especially when it hardly was an issue in the second round against the Bulls. The Heat have proven they have enough with what they're offering along the front line. Could Bosh and Birdman play together? Sure. But there also will be continued attempts to get David West out of the paint by playing Shane Battier. Heck, there might even be a spot in this series for Rashard Lewis. It will be fascinating, as Heat-Pacers seemingly always is.
Q: I'm not sure why I wanted Indiana over New York, the Pacers have a ton of large talent. -- Chet.
A: Because they have anyone who can get as insanely hot as Carmelo Anthony. Even when the Pacers are playing at their best, it usually still is a grind-out game. Yes, Paul George is terrific, but the Pacers don't have that player who can beat you on his own. The closest they come, at least when it comes to the matchup against the Heat, could be David West. Danny Granger certainly never was that player in this matchup.
Q: I wonder if they are OK in the NBA offices with no Los Angeles, New York, Boston or Chicago remaining! -- Stuart.
A: They're fine for now. But if the Heat don't advance, the question might become whether ABC will tape-delay their NBA Finals coverage until after Jimmy Kimmel or Nightline or both. Indiana-Memphis or Indiana-San Antonio would be an ABC and NBA ratings nightmare, even though there certainly would be compelling subplots.
MAY 18, 2013
Q: Is another long layoff going to result in another lackluster Heat performance in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals? It's easy to say that they learned their lesson in the last round, but not playing is not playing. Although Dwyane Wade benefits, the rest will have to fight off rust. -- Myles, Coconut Creek.
A: It's "easy to say" that they've learned their lesson, but it's difficult to actually plot a course of action so the same problems don't resurface. I think Erik Spoelstra is up to that challenge. One thing he has shown is an ability to adjust and adapt. All of that said, the Heat certainly will face a more imposing challenge in the East finals than the depleted Bulls. But that also will make the Heat aware of the significance of not having to fight to regain homecourt advantage, as they had to against the Bulls.
Q: Who do you think the Heat would rather face in the NBA Finals: Spurs or Grizzlies? The Spurs have looked pretty vulnerable in these playoffs, but Gregg Popovich and their level of experience are intimidating factors. On the other hand, the Grizzlies seem to be the more difficult matchup for the Heat, but you can't help but wonder if their inexperience on the big stage would hold them back. -- Kevin.
A: You make good points, and the Grizzlies, with quality scorers at both center and power forward, seemingly would set up as the more imposing challenge, especially if Chris Bosh gets into foul trouble. But your other point is valid, as well, that the Grizzlies could be in glad-to-be-here mode, as opposed to the Spurs, for whom it's championship or bust. So I think the better championship odds would come against Memphis, if the Heat make it out of the East.
