Q: Probably not going to come out and publicly say it; but no doubt this is a "competitive tank" season. Since we have our pick this year, any chance the Heat may go all in on it? Could you see a scenario where some of our highest-paid players fail to see court time? Maybe it makes sense to see what the young guys can do with ample opportunity. Good for Dwyane Wade on Sunday night, but when he’s your guy in "One Last Dance" mode, chances are you're not a contending team. -- Nick.
A: This is starting to look a bit like Kobe Bryant's final season with the Lakers, with enough distraction from Dwyane Wade's final season to possibly take the focus away from any impending playing-time maneuvering elsewhere on the roster. I know we've said it about stretches before, but this four-game homestand could be make or break. Against Atlanta, New Orleans, Utah and Orlando, the Heat need to win three of four to come out with any hope of surviving the ensuing six-game trip against the Suns, Clippers, Lakers, Jazz, Grizzlies and Pelicans.
Q: We are only 19 games through the season. And we are only struggling because offensively we can't get anything going without Goran Dragic. Then we will get our defense together eventually. So we will be fine. -- Rich.
A: And the Heat certainly have shown the ability to turn things around over the course of the second half of seasons. But usually there is something specific that you can point toward. Perhaps it is a return to health of Goran Dragic, perhaps a return by Dion Waiters or perhaps a reemergence of that defensive disposition you cite. But the Heat already also have gotten some of the best of Josh Richardson, Rodney McGruder, Hassan Whiteside, Bam Adebayo and Dwyane Wade -- and still are in this position.
Q: Ira, Yante Maten is playing great in the G League. He played well in the summer league and preseason and is a better shooter than most guys on our roster. Shouldn't the Heat give him some NBA experience? -- Julio, Cape Coral.
A: Actually, I believe it is far more important to get significant playing time in the G League than spot minutes in the NBA. To a degree, that's where I've had some misgivings with utilizing almost a quarter of Duncan Robinson's 45-day NBA limit on his two-way contract as an insurance policy. Among the reasons Yante has been able to blossom is because of the playing time with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Duncan could use some of that, as well. There will come a time when the Heat, who are both floundering and in possession of an open roster spot, can make a call for Yante and Duncan where legitimate NBA minutes could be in play, as well as a possible standard contract that could keep the Heat in control of their rights beyond this season.
iwinderman@sunsentinel.com. Follow him at twitter.com/iraheatbeat or facebook.com/ira.winderman
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