Today, we’re again going to go with Jeopardy! style, providing an answer, then letting your questions follow, since there was a common theme.
Got it. You’re angry, with the ease of 2-0 turning into the discomfort of 2-2.
And, yes, it is difficult to remember a time when the 3-point shooting was this inconsistent.
Gotcha.
But upon cross-matching some of the email addresses in the “Ask Ira” database, it sure seems many of these names were the same who couldn’t move on fast enough from Duncan Robinson, offering numerous suggestions at the NBA trading deadline.
So here’s the deal: The Heat not only were winning when Duncan was moved to the bench, but also were ahead in this series with Duncan out of the rotation.
Now that they no longer are ahead, it is understandable that change is sought.
But also keep in mind that you then are talking about playing Duncan alongside Tyler Herro, returning to the defensive issues that led to this latest change, in the first place.
That said, the Heat need a jolt, so perhaps yes, a jolt of Duncan.
The reasoning for the move away from Duncan was a meritocracy.
Well, now there again appears merit for Duncan.
So, we wait.
As for your common theme of the mail bag, here’s a sampling of your thoughts (removing the ones with the really bad words):
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Q: What has Duncan Robinson done that he can’t sniff the floor even if he was the last man on Earth? Are we really down to relying on Jimmy Butler to be the only consistent 3-point shooter? If, as a team, you are struggling to hit threes, including wide-open ones, then why not insert Duncan? How can Erik Spoelstra be so worried about Duncan’s defense when there is a guy on the other team by the name of James Harden who is just as bad, if not worse, at defense but at least he is out there lighting it up from distance. With Joel Embiid on the floor, you have to have ball movement and 3-point shot making to open up the 76ers’ defense. But you can’t be stubborn or unwilling to change things up at this point of the season. Give Duncan a try if others are failing. This should have been a no brainer after Game 3, but instead you make the same coaching decisions and expect different results. – Victor.
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Q: Can you tell Erik Spoelstra to play Duncan Robinson in Game 5 and sit Kyle Lowry forever? – Jeffrey.
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Q: Isn’t this loss on Spo? How do you play a not-at-full-strength limping Kyle Lowry?
Also, this team can’t win without our 3-point shooting with Joel Embiid blocking the paint. Finally, no one’s hitting the 3 and you still sit Duncan Robinson on the bench.
This one is definitely Spo’s loss. Better hope homecourt turns things around. – Bob, Davie.
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Q: This was the second game in a row that the 3-point shooting was poor. Max Strus was playing decent defense but was struggling again from 3-point range. Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, Victor Oladipo and Gabe Vincent were not hitting their 3s. Why wasn’t Duncan Robinson at least given a chance in the second half? If this happens again in Games 5 and/or 6, Spoelstra must bring in Robinson. – Michael, North Miami Beach.
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Q: With the Heat’s woeful 3 point shooting, isn’t it worth giving Duncan Robinson some minutes, at least when good defensive players such as Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Victor Oladipo and P.J. Tucker are on the floor? The Heat need some offense from someone other than Jimmy. Arguably Robinson provides more spacing and can change the game quicker than any other Heat player. – Tony, Fort Lauderdale.
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Q: Ira, what is Spo waiting for to give Duncan some minutes? – Phil, Boca Raton.
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Q: What the heck is wrong with Spoelstra? Is he just plain stubborn? Why not insert Robinson just to see if he can hit a couple of 3s? Nobody else seems to be able to shoot.,
– Scott, Miami.
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Q: How much worse do the Heat need to be from 3 point range before Duncan Robinson plays? – Enrique, Doral.
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Q: With the Heat collective shooting brick after brick from downtown two games in a row, the time is now for Duncan Robinson to play. A weapon stuck in a drawer, but in our case on the bench, is but a paper tiger. Free Duncan and I don’t mean donuts. – Brian, Fort Lauderdale.
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