ASK IRA: Can Heat develop Yurtseven and Jovic at the same time?

Q: There are a lot of questions and concerns over power forward. Could the answer to power forward be Nikola Jovic? He has height, length and shooting. – Frank, Plantation,

A: Nikola Jovic is so raw that even with the potential he showed at times during summer league, before his injury, it was highly doubtful even then that he could emerge as a rotation or even fringe rotation player. Teams in contention mode generally limit their development projects, with Omer Yurtseven seemingly being that priority this season. While Jovic is intriguing, I can’t see him claiming time in the power rotation over Bam Adebayo, Caleb Martin, Dewayne Dedmon or Omer. At times, even the experience of Udonis Haslem could prove more useful. That doesn’t mean that Nikola can’t emerge as a contributor at some point, just that there can’t be such expectations at the outset. As it is, Nikola seemingly views himself more as a perimeter player at this stage, even with his length.

Q: This starting lineup needs another ballhandler, and shot creator. We saw that last year where it was Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, or bust. Give me Tyler Herro over Max Strus any day in the starting five. – Carlos, West Park.

A: But with Kyle Lowry, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, you still have ample ballhandling. What a wing lineup of Lowry, Butler and Tyler Herro would have to prove is the ability to space the floor. That is where Max Strus enters the equation, just as Duncan Robinson did before. Plus, last season you had a 3-point shooter at power forward in P.J. Tucker, who led the league in 3-point percentage for an extended period, So unless Caleb Martin (or whoever takes over as the starting power forward) can shoot at a high percentage from beyond the arc, you would, in fact, create additional spacing questions. All of that said, Tyler at this stage would appear to be in the same place as any other candidate for a starting role in the wing rotation alongside Kyle and Jimmy – given an opportunity in camp and the preseason to win the job.

Q: Is it time to bring back Michael Beasley to fill that power forward vacancy? – Paul, Ball Ground, Ga.

A: God bless Bease. And, yes, I actually took the time to watch Michael Beasley play in the Big3 this season. But that time has come and gone for the 33-year-old No. 2 pick in the 2008 draft.

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Source: Berkshire mont