ASK IRA: Do Heat need Strus and Robinson to be on the mark at the same time?

Q: I have been very disappointed with Max Strus in this series. Whereas Duncan Robinson has been playing with newfound confidence, Max seems to be missing way too many open shots. Is he exerting too much energy on defense or has he lost his stroke? We need a game from Max similar to what he had against Chicago in the play-in round.  – Greg, Jacksonville.

A: Max Strus has largely stood as what I call a “sometimes” player. Sometimes he is very good and hitting shots, and sometimes he is not. That basically defines an NBA seventh man. He remains a quality reserve who has been cast in a starting role based on the composition and health of the Heat roster. In other words, he is being who he is. Same with Duncan Robinson. The problem is that, at this stage, the Heat cannot afford to have it as an either/or thing with Duncan and Max. They need both every night.

Q: While no one is going to stop Nikola Jokic, we are also playing right into his hands.  He’s backing off Bam Adebayo and letting him shoot, which keeps him out of foul trouble and denies Bam the opportunity on the drive to dish out to a wide-open 3-pointer or get Jokic in foul trouble. We are letting him play to his strengths and pad his stat sheet and he’s still hardly breathing at the end of the game. Jokic needs to feel the Heat on every possession Bam has. – Brian.

A: Agreed. Now, when Bam Adebayo is hitting his midrange shot at a very high percentage, it’s one thing. But, otherwise, those are the types of shots that most teams’ defensive menus allow. The problem is that with Nikola Jokic’s size, taking the ball right at him also is not the most prudent approach. But agree that the Heat are somewhat playing into the Nuggets’ game plan with Bam’s shot chart.

Q: I’m amazed at all the nonsensical talk from your readers who think Tyler Herro is expendable. They think that Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin and Max Strus are better and therefore just trade Herro away. These fans simply don’t understand that undrafted players can have good games, but just aren’t good enough to play well consistently as starters. That’s why these players weren’t drafted in the first place. They have flaws in their game which NBA scouts recognized. While they certainly have had some good games, there have been plenty of times where Vincent, Martin, and Strus score in single digits. On most teams, they would just be bench players. To even consider  trading away Herro, a 20-point player, is the height of ridiculousness. – Jeff, Plantation.

A: Or is it? With Tyler, the Heat basically were close to a .500 team. Since then, they have advanced to the NBA Finals. Sometimes it comes down to the players who best complement your stars. What has been working these past two months is going with players who best complement Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.

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