Q: Ira, by now the Magic lesson to the Heat should be clear, that they have to get bigger. Orlando would have done the same thing they did to Charlotte if the Heat won that first play-in game. And then look at what the Magic did to big, bad Detroit. – Sam.

A: That was a point clearly made as the Magic went 5-0 against the Heat during the regular season. But the Heat did get bigger at the end when they started Kel’el Ware next to Bam Adebayo. And it’s not as if Andrew Wiggins is a small small forward. But Davion Mitchell’s lack of stature is a factor, with Tyler Herro lacking wingspan at shooting guard. Perhaps, Kasparas Jakucionis winds up being an answer in that regard. But, yes, the Heat clearly failed to measure up during the regular season and likely would not have held their ground as well as the Magic did in their series opener against Detroit.

Q: You see in these playoffs a lot of former Heat diamonds in the rough, role players getting minutes, with some even putting up big numbers (Max Strus in Cleveland’s Game 1, for example). So why do fans get so attached to the Heat young players? I would trade everyone on the team except Bam Adebayo for Giannis Antetokounmpo or any other available star. Miami is exceptionally good at finding role players , so don’t be afraid to trade a Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr, etc. Am I wrong? – T.G., Queens, N.Y.

A: No, and the Heat have no such worries. For the right alpha star they very much would trade anyone and everyone outside of Bam Adebayo. And even in such a trade, it is highly unlikely all of the types of role players you cite would be dealt (Pelle Larsson, Kasparas Jakucionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic). The lesson learned by the Heat these past few seasons is that role players, even those who overachieve, only get you so far.

Q: As long as Victor Wembanyama is in the league is Bam Adebayo ever winning Defensive Player of the Year? – Norm.

A: Seemingly not as long as Victor Wembanyama plays the required amount of games to qualify.