Q: Ira, I\u2019m not sure Pat Riley wasn\u2019t wrong. When you look at the East, the Celtics are going to a Game 7, the Pistons are still figuring it out, and the Knicks and Cavaliers already have had their wobbles. \u2013 Lance.<\/p>\n
A: No, let\u2019s not do that thing where you say it doesn\u2019t matter how you get to the playoffs, as long as you get there. In fact, one of the cringeworthy moments of Pat Riley\u2019s season-ending media session<\/a> was his comment about how before the trading deadline the Heat saw themselves as a possible top-six team, and therefore out of the play-in bracket. Yes, Pat has come off his championship-or-misery stands over the years, but that still shouldn\u2019t mean a pivot to \u201cWe\u2019re No. 6!\u201d To his credit, he said at no point did the Heat view themselves as championship contenders. But there also was the caveat that he only included the Thunder and Spurs as teams clearly ahead. Nope. Not when 0-13 combined against the Magic, Raptors and Celtics. There clearly were better teams in the East. A bunch. So, no, these playoffs should not cloud the Heat\u2019s reality.<\/p>\n Q: Hi Ira. Would love 10 more wins, rather than spending one additional dollar on arena upgrades. How about roster upgrades? \u2013 Nole.<\/p>\n A: Doesn\u2019t work that way. The salary cap has definitive limitations on roster spending. But there are no such limitations on infrastructure. It is among the reasons Pat Riley cited the Heat\u2019s plans for a new practice facility. To a degree, keeping up with the times when it comes to facilities also can matter.<\/p>\n