Q: Ira, I am both a Dolphin fan and Heat fan. I am extremely impressed how Erik Spoelstra has implemented a completely different playing style from last year and the Jimmy Butler years. The Miami Heat continue to get the most out of their roster as opposed to the Miami Dolphins, who seem to have continually underachieving results from whatever roster they have. I know you’re not a football guy, but your thoughts on this issue would be appreciated. – Peter, Lake Wales.
A: I certainly can’t speak to Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins and their schemes, other than to appreciate how much the vertical passing game suffers without Tyreek Hill and how such in-season adjustments can be difficult. But I can speak about how Erik Spoelstra is not afraid to change when change is needed, as well as acknowledge adopting the precepts of others. This is not Phil Jackson telling us triangle, triangle, triangle. But more importantly, as with any coach in any sport, you have to adapt to your roster. That wasn’t possible at midseason last season, when Jimmy Butler was dealt. But from the moment of that trade, it was clear a new identity was required. Now that new identity is in place, just as when Erik Spoelstra took Dwyane Wade off the ball, moved to a position-less approach, got Chris Bosh at the 3-point line, and has been adapting and adopting ever since.
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Q: Ira, you have to give an enormous amount of credit to Erik Spoelstra and his staff. There has been a huge improvement in at least six players: Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Dru Smith and Pelle Larsson. – Roy, Miami.
A: But give those players credit, as well, for the willingness to adapt to new requests being made from their games. A coach can lead all he wants, but that goes nowhere without players willing to follow and buy in.
Q: Looks like not trading Kel’el Ware for Kevin Durant was a great long-term decision. – Larry, Boca Raton.
A: But to be fair, the Heat also are a team that has been more than willing to live in the moment, so let’s first see how this also plays out for Kevin Durant this season and if the Heat will be playing as deep – or at least as close to as deep – into the spring as Kevin Durant and the Rockets. Meanwhile, it looks as if the Phoenix Suns have come out of that process in solid position, as well. So perhaps win, win, win for the Rockets, Heat and Suns.
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