Q: Bam Adebayo had a triple-double in the most important game of the season. I think that means he showed up. – Ryan.
A: And it was more about the timing than the numbers. It was about stepping up at the moments of truth. Bam Adebayo’s versatility in the end mitigated the Bucks’ size advantage that had been the story of the series. At times Wednesday, it was apparent that Bam Adebayo’s hamstring was not right. And the foul trouble did not help, either. But when Jimmy Butler needed a friend, Bam was there. And for all the social-media blabber about Jimmy’s supposed reluctance to pass to Jimmy, Bam’s dimes down the stretch allowed Jimmy and the Heat to cash in. So now Bam gets to rest his hamstring before the comparisons begin to Mitchell Robinson. Bottom line is Bam got past Nikola Vucevic in the play-in, past Brook Lopez in five games, and now he lives to be versatile another day (or week, or longer).
Q: We all thought the Bucks would take the series even down 3-1, as how could a limited and hobbled Heat team go into Milwaukee with the Bucks needing a win to stay alive and win? Story of the year in the NBA no matter what happens with the Knicks. – Brian, Fort Lauderdale.
A: No, more like story of the week. The NBA playoffs move at a pace that yesterday’s spoilers can soon be tomorrow’s Cancun tourists. And stories of the season aren’t written in the first round. But that doesn’t mean you can’t savor it all of Friday, all of Saturday and the first part of Sunday. And then the grind begins anew, with, I’m sure, ample second-guessing, as always. Everyone seemingly hated all things Heat at the end of the regular season, questioned all things Heat during the play-in round, now are delighting in first-round answers. But it doesn’t end here. Buckle up, because those Knicks fans are coming to a South Florida arena near you. (Many already live in our midst, but most of the time look like regular people.)
Q: Interesting quote coming out of the Giannis Antetokounmpo’s press conference. He said that the Heat were playing to beat the Bucks, while the Bucks were playing to win a championship. This is what makes Erik Spoelstra and the Heat such a tough out. He gets his team dialed in and focused on the moment. Even possession by possession. It’s why they can come back from 16 down in the fourth, or don’t fold in overtime when Bam Adebayo and Kevin Love have both fouled out. – Dave, Placentia, Calif.
A: All true. Attempt to ever ask Erik Spoelstra about anything but the present moment and his face scrunches as if he just ate a lemon or two (or three). He was the same way at Wednesday morning’s shootaround in Milwaukee, solely with tunnel vision about Game 5. At this time of year, tomorrow becomes a foreign concept to Erik.
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