Gervais Bunker (@SELFMADE_G22) asks, any update on Chris Bosh’s rehab?
I wouldn’t exactly call it rehab. It’s more like sitting around and waiting for his stomach muscle to heal itself. Bosh told me the best “rehab” for his injury was taking vitamins. So, if that tells you anything…Also, it’s entirely likely that Bosh aggravated his abdominal strain further while jumping up and down in his living room during Game 4. Does Bosh do the “Bosh scream” when he’s watching the Heat or only when he’s playing for them? Coach Erik Spoelstra gave no hints to Bosh’s return after Monday’s practice. I’m still going with my out-of-the-blue guess of May 29 for Bosh’s return, but even that doesn’t seem promising at this point.
Phil McCoy (@PhilRealMcCoy) asks, true or false, putting a bandage over at least one eye of every member of the Heat bench would improve their shooting?
Too small of a sample size to come to any definitive conclusion. Was it the bandage or the elbow to the face that propelled Udonis Haslem to eight points in the fourth quarter? We’ll never know. Just to be sure, the Heat should repeat the chain of events on every reserve. Some players, like Shane Battier, might need elbows and bandages for each eye. Of course, there’s always the concern that elbowing both sides of one’s face would cancel out the effect of one good elbow to the face. To paraphrase Erik Spoelstra, “Warrior purity elbow identity.”
Naveen Ganglani (@naveenganglani) asks, would you consider LeBron’s performance last night the best postseason game of his career?
I’m not going to pretend like I’ve seen every playoff game LeBron has ever played in. I have seen every playoff game LeBron has played in for the Heat and his performance in Game 4 was his best. He had two amazing series last season against the Celtics and Bulls but, as far as single games go, Tuesday was a version of James competing at a different level. His stat line was historic. Only one other player in NBA history has registered 40 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists in a playoff game, according to Elias Sports. Elgin Baylor did it in 1961. But go beyond the stats. The Heat was in a desperate place in the first half. LeBron picked Dwyane Wade off the floor, willed the Heat to victory and salvaged the series.
Carl Arcenas (@owence27) asks, what’s the best lineup so far of the Heat vs. the Pacers?
Amazingly, only two five-man lineup combinations have remained constant through the first four games of the second round. The five-man lineup of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Mario Chalmers, Shane Battier and Joel Anthony is the most used unit, but it’s averaging only 7.4 minutes per game with a plus-minus value of plus-2.8. By comparison, the Pacers’ go-to lineup of Danny Granger, Paul George, Roy Hibbert, George Hill and David West is averaging a healthy 22.3 minutes per game with a plus-minus of plus-14. This tells us two things: 1. Spoelstra has had to scramble since Chris
Bosh went down with an injury. 2. We’re in the middle of the playoffs and the Heat’s rotations are anything but solid.
Kazem Ghaouche (@kazonbaaddict) asks, after [Game 4], does Haslem start on Tuesday? Spoelstra has to find a minute or three to rest LeBron. He's dead tired by the 4th quarter.
Haslem was fresh in the fourth quarter, so starting him might not be the best decision. There’s no question the Heat is in bind with Chris Bosh still out, but starting Ronny Turiaf starting at center seems like the best move at this point. Both Joel Anthony and Udonis Haslem seem to play better coming off the bench. LeBron definitely over-extended himself in Game 4 but don’t expect any rest for the MVP unless by some chance the Heat blows out the Pacers on Tuesday. It should be noted that Spoelstra has tried to help LeBron conserve some energy by starting him at small forward and leaving Shane Battier to deal with David West, who outweighs Battier by about 50 pounds. Battier played superbly in Game 4 and I’m sure he was feeling it on Monday. Banging up against West all game is no picnic.
Mike Wehniainen (@mikew633) asks, can LeBron in particular and the Heat in general keep up this level of play with Bosh out?
That’s the $1 million question, Mike. LeBron had a game for the ages on Sunday. Duplicating his 40-18-9 seems impossible on days rest but, hey, we’re talking about LeBron James here. I sometimes wonder if the guy’s actually human.
Peter Oliva (@Peter_Oliva) asks, was Spoelstra’s reply to Doyle the best you’ve heard from the coach this year?
Columnist Gregg Doyel of CBS Sports asked Spoelstra after Game 4 why Dwyane and LeBron can’t play the way they did in Game 4 every night. Spoelstra quipped, “Have you ever played this game?” It was a pretty good response but not Spoelstra’s best of the season. On a practice day in Philadelphia (I think it was Philly) earlier this season, I asked Spoelstra to explain something to me about the Heat’s offense. Spoelstra obviously wasn’t in the mood. His reply, “It’s in the stats, Joe.”
Ricardo Davila (@Ricardo23Davila) asks, how bad could be a Pacers-76ers East finals?
I shudder to think. I know I certainly wouldn’t watch it.
Scott Raab (@ScottRaab64) asks, if the Heat wins it all, does Ethan Skolnick get a ring?
Now, Scott. Be nice. Ethan Skolnick is one of the most professional journalists I know. A better question: If the Heat wins it all, does Micky Arison send Dan Gilbert a ring?
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