ASK IRA: Has Erik Spoelstra’s Heat coaching lineage come up short?

Q: Ira, I’m sorry Chris Quinn didn’t get the Suns job. He certainly has put in the time. But when you look at the Erik Spoelstra coaching tree, where is the success? Pat Riley gave us Jeff Van Gundy, Stan Van Gundy, Jeff Bzdelik, even Spoelstra. What have Spoelstra’s assistants done? – Cindy.

A: Well, David Fizdale was respected enough to not only get the coaching jobs with the Grizzlies and Knicks, but also assistant jobs afterward with the Lakers and Suns. And Juwan Howard had a solid run at Michigan until other factors got in the way. And other assistants, including Dan Craig, have made their way as lead assistants elsewhere. But also, such is the curse and blessing of the Heat’s culture, with some believing that the culture makes the coach as much as the coach makes the culture. The bottom line with Chris Quinn is the resume has been strong enough to get him in front of other teams when vacancies arise.

Q: I just don’t see the means to add a superstar and not lose more draft capital that we barely have and I certainly don’t want us to do a one-year wonder with Kevin Durant and then spend a decade trying to replenish our draft capital. As a fan, we would enjoy an approach that we know will eventually bring longevity in years of exciting winning and at the same time a farm system that we know is there for sustained success. San Antonio has done this for years and they know how to do it. I think ownership owes this to our fans. – Jerry, Miami.

A: Since the Heat’s playoff demise, numerous teams that have attempted to rebuild through the lottery have been cited in this mailbag as the path to pursue. So when it comes to the Spurs, I would say this: If the Spurs’ remarkable lottery luck was replicable, then that, without question, would be the road to travel. But it is not. And for every San Antonio, there is a Utah or Washington or Charlotte that can’t believe how cruel the lottery can be. And even with the Spurs, the last six years have produced win totals of 32, 33, 34, 22, 22 and then 34 this past season – without a single playoff appearance over that six-year run. And there still is no guarantee the Spurs, even with the No. 2 upcoming pick, will make the playoffs next season. So do you really want to wish away the next six seasons?

Q: The two teams competing in the NBA Finals, Oklahoma City and Indiana, created their teams by turning one star player into multiple future assets. Also, this is the first time in 22 years both teams in the NBA Finals are below the luxury tax. So is this a one-off or the new way to build a team? Also, the new CBA with the second apron seems too restrictive in that there are no off ramps to correct a mistake or two. – Stuart.

A: Soon enough, based on their current rosters, the Thunder and the Pacers will have to enter the tax. That is when a truer read will come into place about the sustainability regarding their rosters. The common bond for both the Thunder and Pacers is the value they received in trading away Paul George. Clearly the Heat have to trade for Paul and then trade him away to get value of their own (insert emoji of choice here).