ASK IRA: Was Dwyane Wade on point, that it’s more about the Heat mix than the individual talent?

Q: Are there many people with an ownership in an NBA team who feel compelled to talk trash about other teams or is Dwyane Wade the only one? – Peter, Opa-locka.

A: It is a bit unique, to say the least. But most of Dwyane Wade’s thoughts also are on point, being able to see an organization through the prism of a player who was inside that organization. And I think he very much was on point, that it’s not necessarily the quality of players that the Heat have, but rather the mix and the chemistry, which is why it was interesting that his soliloquy on his recent podcast did not mention Erik Spoelstra.

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Q: Let’s say I owned a restaurant that was not doing well. I might temporarily shut down to remodel or retool the menu, and then reopen with a fresh start. I get that the idea of tanking is not in keeping with the “Heat Culture,” but sometimes remodeling is necessary to present a better product down the road. We’re not using strong enough language to explain the failures of this front office to do what’s needed to put out a better product. Missing out on Cooper Flagg just to get blown out by Cleveland is stupid, plain and simple. San Antonio is just as much a “culture” franchise as us, and their front office shut down and remodeled, and look where they are. This team’s failing is the front office’s failing, period. – Kevin, Lauderhill.

A: But when you shut down a restaurant, you still aren’t charging for meals, expecting a continued revenue stream. It’s not as if the Heat can say they’re going to go a season or two without selling tickets, charging for merchandise, or selling broadcast rights. As for the Spurs example, what else is there – with all due respect – to do in San Antonio but watch a losing team regenerate? The last time a team in this market intentionally took a major step back (in their case, for payroll purposes), the Marlins lost any traction for attendance, now playing nightly in a mausoleum. Therefore, the delicate balance. But, yes, there are ways to keep interest up while revamping the product. The question is whether the Heat’s young players, such as Kel’el Ware, , , , this year’s first-rounder and possibly even, again, Nikola Jovic are enough to keep interest up amid a remodel.