Q: Ira, Tankathon shows the Heat with the seventh-easiest remaining strength of schedule and third easiest in the East. So why are you so down on them getting out of the play-in? – Eddie.
A: The eye test. Remember, this is a team that already has lost to the Jazz, Pacers and Kings, so nothing should be taken as a given. And while there also have been victories over some top teams, such as Detroit, New York, Oklahoma City and Denver, there has been staggering little consistency, including consecutive wins only once since Jan. 1. So, yes, while there are three games remaining against the Wizards and two against the Nets, the first step has to be consecutive wins against anybody. In fact, the games back from this eight-day All-Star break could be particularly telling, with the Heat returning on Friday at Atlanta and then Saturday against the Grizzlies. Win those and then we can talk.
Q: Very happy for Keshad Johnson. Seems like a great kid. He brought a lot of fun and excitement to the dunk competition and represented the Miami Heat, the 305 and his West Coast roots extremely well. – Klif.
Q: And the charisma is genuine. Before every interview, Keshad Johnson first shakes hands and then answers as animatedly and as candidly as he did during those moments after winning the dunk contest on All-Star Saturday. He is a worthy representative of the team, which is why you could see the true joy from so many within the organization when he won.
Q: So we’re not getting our draft pick back? – Allan.
A: The NBA is very good at brushing such matters out of view, as if hoping they will go away. So, no, at the moment no sign from the NBA of any Heat relief for the 2027 or ’28 first-round pick due to the Hornets from the trade for Terry Rozier, even in the wake of his banishment in the FBI gambling probe.