ASK IRA: Did Hawks get stung by their approach against Heat?

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May 1, 2026 - 10:37

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ASK IRA: Did Hawks get stung by their approach against Heat?

Q: Ira, you have always championed the playoffs as being the best thing. How do you think the Hawks are feeling about that today? – Ed.

A: Feeling like they were able to push for the playoffs while also knowing they hold the Pelicans’ lottery pick because of some shrew maneuvering at last year’s draft. No, it did not end well on Thursday night against the Knicks, but that also is part of the playoff experience, the sting of defeat. Sometimes that can make you stronger (although it didn’t for the Heat in the wake of last year’s first-round humiliation at the hands of the Cavaliers). When it comes to Heat-Hawks and which team is better positioned next season, it could come down to the lottery, where the Hawks (via New Orleans) are the No. 7 seed and the Heat the No. 13 seed. As it is, the Hawks’ decision to sit their entire primary rotation in their season-ending loss to the Heat left them with the Knicks as their first-round opponent. With a win that evening at Kaseya Center, the Hawks instead would have gotten the Cavaliers in the first round.

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Q: Precious Achiuwa over Tyrese Maxey. Still stings. – Samuel.

A: Yes, still does. But it also should stand as an abject lesson for those who insist on draft for need over best available talent. The Precious Achiuwa selection at No. 20 in the delayed 2020 draft came during a bastardized, compacted offseason due to the pandemic, when the Heat had a void at power forward and already had Tyler Herro coming off a breakout rookie season and bubble playoffs at shooting guard. (As a matter of transparency, Desmond Bane was my preference at No. 20 that year. Tyrese Maxey went at No. 21 to the 76ers, Bane at No. 30 to the Grizzlies.)

Q: Should be Terry Rozier. – Chris.

A: This came in the wake of Alonzo Mourning being the face of the Heat on stage at the May 10 draft lottery. But that doesn’t mean the Terry Rozier fiasco can’t have the NBA rig the lotto hopper. (Of course, with the Heat’s luck, the Hornets will leapfrog the Heat from No. 14 in the lottery and drop the Heat from the No. 13 seed to No. 14 pick.)