ASK IRA: Are Magic showing Heat that it’s time to measure up?

Q: Ira, by now the Magic lesson to the Heat should be clear, that they have to get bigger. Orlando would have done the same thing they did to Charlotte if the Heat won that first play-in game. And then look at what the Magic did to big, bad Detroit. – Sam.

A: That was a point clearly made as the Magic went 5-0 against the Heat during the regular season. But the Heat did get bigger at the end when they started Kel’el Ware next to Bam Adebayo. And it’s not as if Andrew Wiggins is a small small forward. But Davion Mitchell’s lack of stature is a factor, with Tyler Herro lacking wingspan at shooting guard. Perhaps, Kasparas Jakucionis winds up being an answer in that regard. But, yes, the Heat clearly failed to measure up during the regular season and likely would not have held their ground as well as the Magic did in their series opener against Detroit.

Related Articles

• Submit your “Ask Ira” question here!

Q: You see in these playoffs a lot of former Heat diamonds in the rough, role players getting minutes, with some even putting up big numbers (Max Strus in Cleveland’s Game 1, for example). So why do fans get so attached to the Heat young players? I would trade everyone on the team except Bam Adebayo for Giannis Antetokounmpo or any other available star. is exceptionally good at finding role players , so don’t be afraid to trade a Kel’el Ware, , etc. Am I wrong? – T.G., Queens, N.Y.