ASK IRA: Did Duncan Robinson ultimately show the most fight for the Heat in New Orleans?

Q: Ira, Duncan Robinson was amazing at the finish against the Pelicans. It’s like he channeled his Jimmy Butler. – Ced.

A: Agree, and it was an effort that largely went overlooked because of the silliness of the melee. With the game in the balance, Duncan Robinson played all 12 minutes in the fourth quarter – the only Heat player to play all 12 in the fourth – and had five points, two assists and a blocked shot in the period. In fact, in the final 59 seconds, he blocked a Zion Williamson shot (!) and had a driving, cutting dunk to close out the scoring. Allow that to marinate – Duncan Robinson block of Zion; Duncan dunk. Perhaps we should have seen the feistiness coming, with Duncan called for a technical foul earlier in the game.

Q: Ira, reading Bam Adebayo’s comments at Friday’s fight, it sounds like he knows he has to take over for Udonis Haslem. Thank you, oh captain, my captain. – Sam.

A: Bam Adebayo certainly is evolving as a leader. But there is a difference, with all due respect to Udonis Haslem. Bam Adebayo Is far more essential to this Heat mix than Udonis was to those Heat playoff teams. So if Udonis missed time for putting Tyler Hansbrough in his place or tossing the occasional mouthpiece, so be it. But the Heat offense revolves around Bam and the defense is anchored by Bam. Any game missed by Bam puts the Heat at a decided disadvantage. So while taking the talk of a leader is one thing, there also is a fine line with Bam waking the walk.

Q: We blew the Bucks out without Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson. I think we will be fine. — Chasin.

A: Actually, the Heat had Tyler Herro for that game against his hometown Bucks, with Tyler scoring 19. But to your point, Erik Spoelstra has been as good as any coach in getting more out of less. So, need be, he will tell us he has enough, craft the Heat’s 30th lineup of the season, and compete.