Is Kevin Love starting in the Heat’s best interest? – News from Mercury

Q: Move Kevin Love to the bench. It’s too late to change the scheme that took them to two Eastern Conference Finals and a Finals berth. – David.

A: But many times when a player is added from the buy market, it is with certain guarantees. While Kevin Love said he didn’t make starting a prerequisite for joining the Heat, there were certainly commitments made about playing time (he didn’t leave a playoff contender in Cleveland to sit on the bench for a play-in contender). . If such commitments are not honoured, opposing teams will use this against you the next time there is competition for that player in the buyout market. So if Kevin doesn’t start and Caleb Martin remains in the second unit, the only viable role for Keven would be as backup center, which is basically a role that maxes out at 14-16 minutes per game behind Bam Adebayo. . And that would also mean losing the size that Cody Zeller brings to this second unit.

Q: Hi Ira, do you think Victor Oladipo is the best drive-and-kick option we have on our current list? Looks like he got his quickness and it exploded right back. If surrounded by some snipers, can we get more out of Oladipo and our snipers, making him the de facto point guard for the 2nd unit? – Charles, West Park.

A: As much as I praised Victor Oladipo’s performance in Monday night’s win over the Hawks, I still don’t believe he has the innate ability to play like a point. He tends to have his eyes mostly on the rim, which is not a point guard’s preferred approach. That said, he’s largely been drafted as a backup point guard this season due to time lost by Kyle Lowry. It will be interesting to see what happens when Kyle returns, which should happen sooner rather than later. With Kyle back in the starting lineup, Victor will likely be deployed as the reserve guard. But that’s on the assumption that Gabe Vincent stays in the rotation. Lots of moving parts here.

Q: Because Bam Adebayo is focusing on making his own shot, our pitchers are missing out on the great screens and passes that helped them make good shots. – Rich, Plantation.

A: Correct. But you can’t stifle Bam Adebayo’s potential just because he does other things well. Now, come playoff time, the Heat usually come to a more focused and cohesive defense, which could certainly be the case again.

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