Q: Erik Spoelstra ruined Nikola Jovic (he can deny it all he wants, because that’s what he does) and will ruin Kel’el Ware. I love tough love on Ware because he deserves it, but at some point there’s a balance. You have to understand talent and prioritize your most talented player while coaching him hard and letting him grow on the court. – Swann.
A: For all those questioning Erik Spoelstra’s approach with Nikola Jovic and Kel’el Ware: Have you seen every practice and shootaround to gauge their work away from the game-day cameras? (The media does not, with such sessions closed.) Erik Spoelstra has (and his staff, and the front office and ownership, who also attend those closed-door sessions). If Spoelstra truly was creating an unfair dynamic, it would be apparent to those in power to change that dynamic. Based on Thursday night’s start, Thursday night’s opening lineup worked. The debate point remains: At what cost to Kel’el’s development? While, it is difficult to envision Spoelstra seeing anything so bad that precluded Kel’el from playing at all in Thursday night’s second half. He did. And afterward, Spoelstra emphasized it was more than an in-the-moment decision. “He needs to get back to where he was eight weeks ago, seven weeks ago, where I felt, and everybody in the building felt, he was stacking days, good days. He’s stacking days in the wrong direction now.” Days. Not games. What Spoelstra, Malik Allen, Pat Riley see. What we don’t see. That said, yes, the Celtics played small and played fast. But there also is a player to be developed. It would seem a compromise could be made. It would seem. But not seeing the entire picture makes it difficult to appreciate the entire picture.
Q: Ira, you keep mentioning the salary cap when it comes to Ja Morant and how he would turn it upside down. Would it turn it upside down more than a Tyler Herro extension? Ja at $40 million or Tyler at $50 million. Which, say you, makes more sense? – Allan.
A: First, Tyler Herro repeatedly has stated it is not about getting the max, but more so a commensurate contract, which could be along the lines of that $40 million range Ja Morant stands for these next three seasons. So assuming no asset going out that could impact a future blockbuster Heat trade – as in no draft capital being put into play – it comes down to the ceiling/floor debate so common in such discussions. Ja Morant arguably has a higher ceiling but also a lower floor than Tyler at the moment. So how much risk management would/should the Heat be willing to endure?
Q: I’ll be so happy when Erik no longer is a head coach. – Jerry, Jensen Beach.
A: In that case, shout back in five or 10 years. (I can only imagine this fan base if Erik Spoelstra’s Team USA dares drop a game or has a bad moment during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.) Yes, there have been uneven moments this season, and even in recent seasons. But the respect is practically universal within the game.