Q: The path to winning is not going to be with a seven-man rotation in this series or it will be four and out. — Brian.
A: I don’t agree about a tight Heat rotation creating a sweep for the Lakers, but I do believe there has to be at least one more scorer off the Heat bench besides Tyler Herro. The hunch is there yet could be a revival for Kendrick Nunn. And in the power rotation, if the Lakers play big, as they did in the Denver series, then I would think that Kelly Olynyk would be injected back into the mix. Erik Spoelstra has adjusted between each series (and sometime during series). I would expect that again. Just as Solomon Hill emerged from oblivion to play against the Celtics, there likely will be another surprise at some point, likely sooner rather than later.
Q: Should the Heat stick to zone defense against LeBron James and the Lakers? Is there any way they can stop LeBron James or Anthony Davis from taking over a game? — Rafael, Davie.
A: First, it you stick to a zone, then you’ve already lost. If a change-of-pace defense has to become your base defense, then you’re not good enough. The Heat loaded up with wing defenders to prepare for challenges such as LeBron James. So figure on plenty of mixing and matching with Jimmy Butler, Jae Crowder, Andre Iguodala and possibly even turns from Bam Adebayo, Derrick Jones Jr. and Solomon Hill. As for Anthony Davis? That’s a more complex equation. And yet, he actually might be best equipped to help the Lakers bust the zone.
Q: Just a question I was thinking about, would this Heat team have made it to the Finals outside of the bubble? — Kevin.
A: A reasonable question. First, I’m not sure there would have been an opening-round sweep, because I’m not sure the Heat would have won two in a row at Bankers Life Fieldhouse against the Pacers. The second round was more schematic, so I’m not sure the venue necessarily would have mattered against the Bucks. But the Celtics series is the question mark, based on Heat struggles at TD Garden, and how being the home team might have allowed the Celtics to play through their rough patches. But that all is moot, because the bubble was the only option. It’s sort of like those years when the NFL utilized replacement players during the course of the season but still crowned what are taken as true champions. And it certainly will take a championship level to get past the Lakers in the NBA Finals.
