Ira Winderman has made oblique criticism of Erik Spoelstra before, referring to the need for "better coaching" in addition to a litany of other necessary improvements. Here, his readers take up the theme.
Q: Ira, don’t you think Kel’el Ware was some kind of test for Erik Spoelstra and Bam Adebayo and they failed this test? Ware could’ve been the Heat’s main center and Bam could’ve adjusted as power forward. Ware exposed Spo’s and Bam’s lack of flexibility, depth, integrity. –Vip.
A: Or the Heat simply were able to get Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kel’el Ware was part of the cost. Not to constantly reiterate, but from the outside, only a scant portion of Kel’el’s Heat work was visible. There is so much more to the equation, from practices to shootarounds to strategy sessions. And even with all that, it’s not as if the Heat simply couldn’t wait to dump Kel’el, or else he previously would have been dealt for Kevin Durant. So it also can be viewed as building Kel’el up enough to make him a desired trade component.
Q: I’ve long criticized Erik Spoelstra for his inability to get consistent results from a two-big lineup (Chris Bosh/Hassan Whiteside, Bam Adebayo/Kel’el Ware). With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam and Bobby Portis, his hand is now forced. If these rotations fail to get results, will Spo take the blame or will fans forget his history and fault the player who is underperforming? – Rodney, Davie.
A: If a mix with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo doesn’t work, blame will transcend not just Erik Spoelstra, but also what would turn into a miscalculation from ownership to management to the coaching staff.
I agree with both readers, although I don't know where Spoelstra's and Bam's "integrity" come in (Vip's question). Spo does not like traditional Bigs. They don't fit his positionless system. Hassan Whiteside is a sore point with me as it is with Rodney. All the guy did was lead the entire Association in rebounds one year, and the entire Association in blocks the next year. If you can't find a place for him in your positionless then maybe your coaching needs to improve. And to state the obvious, as Ira does, the Giannis-Bam partnership has to work. Period there.
