Q: Ira, Erik Spoelstra appears set on starting Klay Thompson. The man is 36. Is that a good idea? – Martin.
A: What matters more are the minutes and keeping them manageable, especially for a team with visions of a deep playoff run. And there is ample depth behind Klay Thompson, including what sets up as a job share with Tim Hardaway Jr. So more than the starting lineup, it comes down to whether Klay is up to about 24 minutes a night (with the occasional night off, as well). Klay averaged 21.7 minutes last season, but before that averaged at least 27.3 in every season but his rookie season. So a job share would seem to be the way to go, no matter the starting role.
Q: No need to see the main guys in a second half. – Doug.
A: Agree, a couple of quarters is enough, which is why Erik Spoelstra allowed Bam Adebayo to play through foul trouble in the preseason opener against the Raptors and then did the same with Andrew Wiggins’ foul trouble on Wednesday night. Now the question becomes how much of the regulars we see going forward, considering Erik Spoelstra might not want to show much of his hand against the Timberwolves on Saturday night, with the teams meeting two weeks later on their season opener. And history tells us Spoelstra rarely plays anyone of note in the preseason finale, which is next Friday in Orlando. So the dress rehearsal next Wednesday against the visiting Nets, if even that?
Q: Is a deal close for Palm Beach to get Heat games? – D.J.
A: That’s what we continue to be told, expected to start with next Wednesday night’s home exhibition against the Nets, with a similar agreement being drawn with an affiliate on the state’s southeast region.