Q: Hey Ira, I can't begin to describe how excited I am about this upcoming season. However, the one thing that concerns me is whether or not Erik Spoelstra will get the best out of his players. If the Heat are going to go far, then everyone needs to be engaged on offense and defensive schemes. Should Spoelstra consider adopting a different coaching method? -- Daryl, Fitzgerald, Ga.

A: I believe he will. For as much of a game-changer as Hassan Whiteside can be defensively, the Heat never had the opportunity to adjust the defensive system with so many players coming and going last season due to injury, illness and personnel moves. Similarly, for as capable as Goran Dragic is of playing at speed, his running partners constantly changed last season. This is the first Heat training camp for both Whiteside and Dragic. That means this also is the first time Spoelstra will have an extended period to incorporate their unique skill sets into a definitive game plan. One of the problems last season was that Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger were not up to speed in training camp, so the Heat therefore couldn't get up to speed with their possibilities. I believe that training camp should be all about Whiteside and Dragic, about building on each end (Whiteside on defense, Dragic on offense) around their skill sets. Players such as Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng, with their veteran experience, all then should have the ability to adapt from there.

Q: I know Pat Riley will wait to see what shakes out, but why not a veteran minimum deal for John Salmons? Yes, he is long in the tooth, but he is a decent team defender who would benefit from having Whiteside behind him; he is a pretty good 3-point shooter, particularly from the corner; he is a good passer; he would complement a team that already has slashers; he is not a project, i.e. a good fit for a team in "win now mode." -- David.

A: That is exactly the type of name I'm talking about. This team has such questionable depth (so many players either returning from injury, dealing with age, lacking in a particularly skill set or a neophyte) that I would rather have one more veteran to choose from than a young player instead. I agree with your thinking, if not specifically the player. I'm just not sure if the Heat do.

Q: After seeing Dwyane Wade wearing a Jets jersey this past weekend, I could care less if the Heat finish dead last for the next decade. -- Christian.

A: OK, that's a bit extreme, since he did it more out of friendship with Brandon Marshall than an abiding desire to see the Jets go 16-0 and win the division over the Dolphins. But I do believe it is wise to always keep your constituency in mind. It is one thing to wear the color of your hometown team, with Wade a diehard Bears fan. It is another to post on Instagram a photo in the dreaded (at least in most of South Florida) green and white.