Q: Ira, now that they got the Dwyane Wade statue right, who’s next. I would have to think Pat Riley? – Steve,
A: Actually, I would think the belief within the organization is that Pat Riley’s ultimate honor came when the court at Kaseya Center was named in his honor in 2024. And I’m not sure that Micky Arison gets a statue in front of the Heat arena like Joe Robbie got from the Dolphins, because Joe Robbie financed that stadium on his own. Eventually there might be some sort of additional tribute to Udonis Haslem beyond his No. 40 having been retired. But, for now, it would appear Wade would stand alone, as he deserves, in front of the team’s arena for years to come. As for Riley, I believe it is time he get nominated for the Hall of Fame for his front-office week, after previously being enshrined in Springfield for his coaching career.
Q: Why did they change Kelsey Grammer’s statue? – Clint.
Q: Everyone gets plastic surgery in Miami. – Muffin.
A: With the lesson being that the faces can change, but the jokes will remain.
Q: You mentioned on the radio how Bam Adebayo has to learn to play as a No. 2. I disagree. A player should never strive to be anything short of the best. That’s how I coach my players. – Seymour.
A: The point made on the appearance on WQAM was that there is no shame in Bam Adebayo either being perceived or being utilized as second-best to Giannis Antetokounmpo. This league is replete with great, great, great Hall of Fame players who were sidekicks to dominant stars in the Giannis realm, be it Kevin McHale alongside Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen alongside Michael Jordan, James Worthy alongside Magic Johnson, or any of the great Celtics of the ’60s alongside Bill Russell. It is not a slight, it is the reality that there is a better player on the roster who must be, and should be, sated first. Friday night was a perfect example of being a perfect power-rotation complement. Giannis got his, but Bam also got his.