ASK IRA: Do Heat run risk of getting lost in South Florida sports success?

Q: Ira, when the Dolphins win, do you think it buys the Heat time? – David.

A: There are dual sides to the out-of-sight, out-of-mind equation. Yes, at a time the Heat are looking to regain their footing after an uneven season, there is something to be said about being able to work largely in the shadows. But there also is the danger of becoming something the Heat rarely have been during the Pat Riley era, and that is irrelevant. With the Dolphins projected for success, with the Hurricanes having made their opening football statement, and with the Panthers returning to celebrate a Stanley Cup championship, this is a legitimate crossroads for the Heat. While last season showed the challenges an uneven start can present, this season presents the challenge of simply being tuned out. That’s not to say that such an outcome is projected. That simply is to say that the pressure already was on, and success elsewhere in this sporting market only will enhance that pressure. The Heat talk about embracing challenges. There certainly could be one at hand, even for a team with playoff prospects.

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Q: This is Bam Adebayo’s team along with Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr. this year. – Kevin.

A: Wait, did Jimmy Butler go somewhere? Did Tyler Herro? Did Terry Rozier? The masterplan, at least at the moment, is for those three, along with Bam Adebayo to handle the majority of heavy lifting. An off season by any of those four and this could prove to be a house of cards, with all due respect to the growth curves of Nikola Jovic and Jaim Jaquez Jr.

Q: Ira, saw that the Cavaliers brought back Tristan Thompson. The Udonis Haslem role is real. – Eddie.

A: And what is interesting is so many of the teams that bring back such veteran players who are projected for minimal or no minutes actually are speaking in those terms, of a Udonis Haslem role. So, yes, it is a thing. But on a 15-man roster, there also is only room for one. For the Heat this coming season, it will be the role Kevin Love will play, while also still trying to show he still can play. Others who seemingly hold similar roles this season are Patty Mills, DeAndre Jordan and Markieff Morris.