Q: If Tyler Herro comes back as strong as he did Monday and he and Norman Powell click and are both averaging over 25 a game and Bam Adebayo plus Kel’el Ware are giving you solid 20 and 10 games each, how many All-Stars could Miami have? – Eddie, South Bend.
A: Should we really be doing this less than 20 games in? Whatever happened to living in the moment, enjoying the moment? Foremost, Tyler Herro likely already has missed too much time (17 games out following his ankle surgery) to play his way back to the All-Star Game. Based on popularity, I doubt the Heat have anyone voted in as All-Star starters. But Bam Adebayo is such a coaches’ favorite with his two-way play, that he is tracking toward All-Star Weekend. As for Norman Powell, it likely comes down to a combination of his game missed, as well as if the scoring average drops with Tyler back. With Kel’el Ware, the ticket to All-Star Weekend likely comes through the Rising Stars game, as a second-year player.
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Q Ira, Kel’el Ware must have read your articles about his lack of effort. All of a sudden he is possessed and giving tremendous effort and energy. I’m really impressed by the turnaround by him. – Rich, Plantation.
A: Um, yeah, I would look in the direction of teammates and coaches. There is a recognition in both the coaching suite and locker room of Kel’el Ware’s talent, so almost all involved are motivated to attempt to draw more out of his game. The question becomes whether he is one of those who constantly have to be pushed and prodded to play hard, or whether it eventually clicks. Because little is more fatiguing than having to constantly push a player to be his best self.
Q: Thinking very outside the box, would Ben Simmons as an add when possible in December be a good option? With our pace and position-less basketball, a 6-10 body who could guard bigger players unlike Nikola Jovic could balance the roster. Seems like he doesn’t even want to play, but a non-guaranteed offer /chance to revitalize career might be a win. – Chip.
A: Highly, highly doubt it. The Heat look for players who want to be here, let alone a player who seemingly is unsure if he even wants to be in the league. Plus, the premium for shooting remains with the Heat’s new offense, and that’s something Nikola Jovic has shown more of in his brief bursts than Ben Simmons has shown over his career. Plus, maybe they don’t do anything, and instead focus on just winning even more.
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