Q: Ira, time for you and your cronies to stop hope trafficking. The Heat were badly outclassed by Luka Doncic and the Lakers. Good teams don\u2019t get punked by a team playing on the second night of a back-to-back. \u2013 Anderson.<\/p>\n
A: It is difficult after this one to offer any sort of counterargument. For years, the Heat\u2019s calling card was targeting an opposing star with a defensive game plan that would force somebody else to beat them, no example better than the Jeremy Lin game all those years ago. But in this one, Luka Doncic said I\u2019ll take these points, get these 3-pointers, draw these fouls and make these assists \u2013 and it was as if the Heat could do nothing about it. Yes, the goal was to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo with shooting<\/a>. But defenseless shooting can\u2019t be the answer. So Anthony Edwards has had his way against the Heat, Cooper Flagg has had his way against the Heat and now Luka. If you can\u2019t at least contain stars to some degree, you can\u2019t compete in the NBA.<\/p>\n Q: I usually have questions\/comments about the Heat players and\/or management, but today I want to ask about Jaime Jaquez Jr. I miss him. Watching him, he\u2019s definitely improving his skill set. We could use him on this team. What\u2019s the chance he can come back? And would he even want to? I\u2019m keeping his jersey. Might even wear it to Vice Night.\u00a0 \u2013 Cheryl, Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n A: For all of the Bucks\u2019 issues, Jaime Jaquez Jr. has played well in his Milwaukee debut. But by rule, the Heat cannot reacquire him this season unless he first is dealt to another team. And there could be a good chance he is dealt, based on his reasonable salary, his statistics and the fact the Bucks did not extend him by that October deadline. But a case also could be made that they have their new Jaime this season in Pelle Larsson.<\/p>\n