ASK IRA: Which team benefits most from three-day break?
By Ira Winderman
Ask Ira is a daily feature of the Sun Sentinel
MIAMI — Q: Who benefits most from the long break: the aging Heat or the Pacers with Paul George's concussion? Which coach benefits most from extra time to game plan? -- David.
A: It proved to be a huge break for the Pacers. Considering the way the Pacers bungled George's concussion diagnosis Tuesday, it would have been more than a bit surprising if the NBA had cleared George for a Thursday game, considering he was limited to non-contact work Thursday. Plus, with the Heat changing lineups before Game 2, it gave the Pacers more time to go to school on how to address matchups with Udonis Haslem, as well as strategize for Norris Cole again defending Lance Stephenson for an extended stretch.
Q: Ira, let's assume that Miami gets past the Pacers and have to face the Spurs in the NBA Finals. What's your gut feeling: Do you think we can beat them, especially without homecourt advantage, also coupled with the fact that we're not as good as last year but they are? I think LeBron James will have to guard Tony Parker the whole series and shut him down if we advance and face them. What do you think? -- Habib, Calgary.
A: First, it is way too early for that (from a Heat perspective, not necessarily from the Spurs perspective). I can't see how the Spurs wouldn't be favored, not as much because of homecourt, but simply the buzz-saw-like approach they have taken to the Thunder series. Remember, the NBA Finals will be 2-2-1-1-1 this season, and that constant travel could take a toll on some of the older Spurs, with San Antonio's older players featured more than the Heat's older players.
Q: It may not be the best time to talk about personnel changes, but what about Kevin Love? Given Chris Bosh's inconsistent statistics for a guy making that much money and the Heat's lack of rebounding and inside presence, wouldn't he be a better fit? -- Yvano, Montreal.
A: Except the reality is the only reason the Timberwolves would consider dealing Love is the concern of losing him in free agency. As it is, Bosh has an early-termination option this June and a player option next June, so he would provide the same dilemma for Minnesota. What the Timberwolves would want is a lottery pick (the Heat don't have that) or a veteran star under long-term contract (which the Heat, for now, also don't have).