Ira Winderman

ASK IRA: Is Heat’s Tyler Herro being too optimistic when it comes to his timetable? Is Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro correct in his optimism about a rapid return from his September ankle surgery?

Is Heat's Tyler Herro being too optimistic when it comes to his timetable? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/17/a... Plus: Adebayo offense; Olympic role.

Heat’s Terry Rozier on return from hamstring, ‘All I ask for is a fair opportunity, a fair chance’ With Terry Rozier back at practice Thursday at Kaseya Center, the next step is figuring where the veteran guard fits into this season’s Miami Heat mix, if at all.

Heat's Terry Rozier on return from hamstring, "All I ask for is a fair opportunity, a fair chance." www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/16/h... Also: Ware's toenail; Adebayo cleared.

Heat longshots about to get final shot in a preseason short on breakthroughs For the next few days, the focus will turn to the bottom of the Miami Heat preseason roster, with cuts required by Saturday’s 5 p.m. NBA waiver deadline.

Heat longshots about to get final shot in a preseason short on breakthroughs. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/16/h... Diamond in the rough? So far, not yet.

ASK IRA: Will this season’s Heat or 2028 Team USA be a greater challenge for Erik Spoelstra? Nothing will be easy for Erik Spoelstra this season with the Miami Heat. Will that also be the case guiding Team USA at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?

Will this season's Heat or 2028 Team USA be a greater challenge for Erik Spoelstra? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/16/a... Plus: Dru Smith; incomplete roster.

Heat play scrimmage with meaning, shed additional light on injury report The focus Wednesday night at Kaseya Center at the Miami Heat’s annual Red, White & Pink intrasquad scrimmage was on both survivors and those battling breast cancer.

Heat play scrimmage with meaning, shed additional light on injury report. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/15/h... Focus Wednesday night at Kaseya Center at the Miami Heat’s annual Red, White & Pink intrasquad scrimmage on both survivors and those battling breast cancer.

ASK IRA: Are the Heat too weak to compete (on the glass)? Are the Miami Heat big enough to compete on the glass, or will it be more of the same on the boards?

Are the Heat too weak to compete (on the glass)? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/15/a... Plus: Too soft?; Russell Westbrook.

It’s official: Heat’s Erik Spoelstra the next Team USA Olympic coach What has been speculated for weeks and was all but confirmed last week now is official: Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is the next USA Basketball coach, to lead Team USA through the 2028 Los Angel…

It's official: Heat's Erik Spoelstra the next Team USA Olympic coach. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/14/i... "One of the greatest privileges in sport."

Heat at 0-5 facing second-ever winless preseason (only previous one came before 15-67 season) At 0-5 with only Friday night’s home exhibition against the Memphis Grizzlies remaining, the Miami Heat are facing only the second winless preseason in the franchise’s 38 years.

Heat at 0-5 facing second-ever winless preseason (only previous one came before 15-67 season). www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/14/h... "We’re trying to figure it out." Plus: Details on Wednesday's Red, White & Pink Game.

ASK IRA: Will Dru Smith vs. Davion Mitchell be a Heat opening-night decision? With Tyler Herro sidelined, the Miami Heat look like they will go to the wire with their decision on his replacement starter.

Will Dru Smith vs. Davion Mitchell be a Heat opening-night decision? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/14/a... Plus: Too many exhibitions; blow it up?

Ware, Adebayo side-by-side briefly, until Adebayo lost with knee bruise as Heat fall to 0-5 in preseason Heat coach Erik Spoelstra went back into the lab on Monday night, with big men Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware getting their first action together this preseason. It proved to be a limited run.

Ware, Adebayo side-by-side briefly, until Adebayo lost with knee bruise as Heat fall to 0-5 in preseason. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/13/w... Five Degrees of Heat from OT loss in Atlanta.

‘Not quite there’ but Heat’s Spoelstra says he is getting there with Kel’el Ware It was almost as if Kel’el Ware had boxed out Heat coach Erik Spoelstra on Sunday night in Orlando.

“Not quite there” but Erik Spoelstra says he is getting there with Kel'el Ware. sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/13/n... Plus; Mitchell’s return; Jakucionis injury.

ASK IRA: Are Nikola Jovic’s injury absences more than a passing concern for Heat? Missing time is nothing new for Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic. Is it time to change that narrative?

Are Nikola Jovic's injury absences more than a passing concern for Heat? Latest “Ask Ira” at sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/13/a... Plus: Adebayo offense; sitting starters.

Heat fall to 0-4 in preseason, as starters sit, Mitchell returns, Ware shines, Jakucionis sidelined If there is to be a preseason dress rehearsal for the Heat’s Oct. 22 regular-season opener, Erik Spoelstra made clear that it would not come against his team’s season-opening opponent.

Heat fall to 0-4 in preseason, as starters sit, Mitchell returns, Ware shines, Jakucionis sidelined. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/12/h... Five Degrees of Heat.

Latest roster addition was out of view but still on Heat’s mind Typically, life of an undrafted rookie free agent can be here today, gone tomorrow. For Miami Heat guard Gabe Madsen, it will be a case of such a reality – squared.

Latest roster addition was out of view but still on Heat's mind. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/12/l... "I’ve just tried to stay in shape and tried to keep learning, even though you’re not with the team and all that. It’s felt a little bit fast."

ASK IRA: Is it time for Heat to settle on opening-night rotation? With three exhibitions remaining, is this when Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra should be finalizing his regular-season rotation?

Is it time for Heat to settle on opening-night rotation? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/12/a... Plus: Ware treatment; tank thought.

Heat’s Adebayo rides preseason whirlwind to be at A’ja Wilson’s side for another WNBA title In the midst of the drudgery of the NBA preseason Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo found himself amid a WNBA whirlwind championship celebration with A’ja Wilson.

Heat's Bam Adebayo rides preseason whirlwind to be at A'ja Wilson's side for another WNBA title. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/11/h... "Truly special and truly proud of her."

Ira Winderman: Pace without payoff a pursuit without purpose for Heat? Through a week of the preseason, it has been pace without payoff for the Miami Heat and Erik Spoelstra, creating question of whether it ultimately might be a pursuit without purpose.

Sunday notes on a Saturday: Pace without payoff a pursuit without purpose for Heat? www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/11/i... Plus: Jovic deal; Oladipo comeback; Popovich thoughts; Powell's past; Jakucionis path; more.

ASK IRA: Does Davion Mitchell return as a starter for the Heat? Davion Mitchell as a sixth man or starter from the start with the Miami Heat this season?

Does Davion Mitchell return as a starter for the Heat? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/11/a... Plus: Adebayo's game; Monday Night Basketball.

Davion Mitchell set to return; Spoelstra addresses Heat’s latest addition The frustrating wait is over for Davion Mitchell, with the guard who was re-signed in free agency cleared to return in the Miami Heat’s Sunday exhibition against the Orlando Magic.

Heat notebook: Davion Mitchell set to return; Spoelstra addresses latest addition. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/10/d... Also: Adebayo on Spoelstra as Olympic coach.

Heat’s Ware on stepping up in wake of Spoelstra’s words, ‘just take it as motivation’ A game after Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra largely downplayed similar statistics due to what was perceived as lagging effort, Kel’el Ware stepped up with moments of meaning.

Heat's Ware on stepping up in wake of Spoelstra's words, "just take it as motivation." www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/10/h... "Like I said, I just take it as motivation. I try to come out the next game better."

ASK IRA: With Spoelstra so respected, what does it say of roster Heat have given him? Are coaching respect and championship contention two different things when it comes to Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra?

With Spoelstra so respected, what does it say of roster Heat have given him? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/10/a... Plus: Calling out; second-team Ware.

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra on verge of being named U.S. Olympic coach According to numerous sources familiar with the process, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra soon will be named the next coach of the USA Basketball senior national team.

Heat's Erik Spoelstra on verge of being named U.S. Olympic coach. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/09/h... Formal vote by USA Basketball still pending.

Jakucionis opens Heat eyes to potential, ‘He’s courageous enough to try to make the play’ After the initial taste of first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis in an NBA game setting, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra went for the highest form of flattery.

Jakucionis opens Heat eyes to potential, "He's courageous enough to try to make the play." www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/09/j... An eye-opening debut with 10 assists for No. 20 pick out of Illinois.

ASK IRA: Was Kel’el Ware’s bounceback evidence that Spoelstra’s Heat voice still resonates? When Erik Spoelstra speaks. it remains apparent that Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware listens.

Was Kel'el Ware's bounceback evidence that Spoelstra's Heat voice still resonates? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/09/a... Plus: More Ware; Jovic's place.

Kel’el Ware, Heat youth step forward in preseason loss to Spurs Erik Spoelstra handed the keys to the Miami Heat’s youth, with several encouraging performances in Wednesday night’s exhibition loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

Kel'el Ware, Heat youth step forward in preseason loss to Spurs. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/08/k... Five Degrees of Heat.

ASK IRA: Is it time for the Heat to get back to the Adebayo-Ware pairing? After ending last season with the alignment, do the Miami Heat at least have to see if Bam Adebayo-Kel’el Ware can still be effective?

Is it time for the Heat to get back to the Adebayo-Ware pairing? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/08/a... Plus: Playing to win; Powell v. Herro.

Heat’s Spoelstra wants Jovic as relentless rebounder not ‘wandering generality’ Nikola Jovic is 6 feet 10 and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra wants Jovic to play 6-10 when it comes to rebounding.

Heat notebook: Erik Spoelstra wants Nikola Jovic as relentless rebounder not "wandering generality." www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/07/h... Also: Jovic says; Adebayo's limited offense; injury updates.

Heat’s Spoelstra hungers for more, won’t tolerate empty calories from Ware Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is insisting on more than empty statistics from center Kel’el Ware. He’s insisting on winning numbers.

Heat's Erik Spoelstra hungers for more, won't tolerate empty calories from Kel'el Ware. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/07/h... "He does really good things, and then when you aren’t able to do it consistently, it doesn’t impact the game."

ASK IRA: Is tough love going to be Heat approach with Kel’el Ware? Is there more than lineup strategy involved with Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra starting Nikola Jovic over Kel’el Ware?

Is tough love going to be Heat approach with Kel'el Ware? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/07/a... Plus: Jaquez kickstart; NBA v. NFL.

Norman Powell offers a taste of offensive punch in Heat exhibition loss to Bucks So who scores for the Miami Heat in the early-season absence of Tyler Herro? Norman Powell stepped forward with the likely answer in Monday night’s exhibition loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Norman Powell offers a taste of offensive punch in Heat exhibition loss to Bucks. www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/06/n... Five Degrees of Heat.