ASK IRA: Do new-look Heat still have a play-in look?

Q: Ira, the Heat made those trades just to make the play-in? They didn’t look anywhere close to the Bucks, and that was without Giannis Antetokounmpo. – Walt.

A: First, the additions of Kevin Love and Cody Zeller were off the buyout market, players deemed not worthy of rotation minutes elsewhere. So do not overstate those additions. The Heat gave up nothing but some salary-cap space for both. And the acquisitions actually were made to avoid the play-in round of seeds Nos. 7-10. Advance out of the play-in round and you’re likely playing Boston or Milwaukee, And as Friday showed, the Heat are not at such a level. So what matters is getting at least to No. 6, to avoid the Bucks or Celtics in the first round. Friday was hardly a step in that direction, as the road struggles continue – with two more games on this trip.

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Q: I’ve never seen a player in Heat history managed the way Kyle Lowry is. It’s like he’s a part-time player. – Chris.

A: Actually, Tim Hardaway was managed by the Heat in the similar way at a similar age, with, what appears to be with Kyle Lowry, similar knee issues. This is what happens when you sink large contracts into older players. It reached the point with Hardaway where he was replaced in the playoffs by Anthony Carter. Time waits for no point guard.

Q: What is the situation with Nikola Jovic? It seems as if has been out a long time due to his back and his rookie season has been wasted. Since he isn’t getting much game time, hope he at least is building up his body for when he does get on the court next year. Do you think that if Kevin Love works out, he could be a good mentor for Jovic? – Mike, Boca Raton.

A: I’m not sure, as a short-timer, which appears to be the case, that Kevin Love is anticipated as much of a mentor, having his own Heat learning curve to deal with. From the outset, this was going to be a developmental season for Nikola Jovic, who still is only 19. What he most has missed with the back issue has been the opportunity to develop in the G League. That should make the summer program again an essential part of his NBA maturation.