Ira Winderman
@irawinderman.bsky.social
Covering the Miami Heat for the South Florida Sun Sentinel
Heat asking their other All-Star merely to "be a total nightmare to guard." www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/17/h... Erik Spoelstra, "He’s just a handful because he’s going full speed."
Heat asking their other All-Star merely to ‘be a total nightmare to guard’
The Miami Heat’s other All-Star spent most of All-Star Weekend under the radar, just as he has spent most of this season.
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 17, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Heat asking their other All-Star merely to "be a total nightmare to guard." www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/17/h... Erik Spoelstra, "He’s just a handful because he’s going full speed."
Should it mostly be kid stuff for Heat going forward? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/17/a... Plus: Powell extension; upcoming schedule.
ASK IRA: Should it mostly be kid stuff for Heat going forward?
Time to turn it over to the kids for the Miami Heat, Erik Spoelstra?
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 17, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Should it mostly be kid stuff for Heat going forward? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/17/a... Plus: Powell extension; upcoming schedule.
In wake of All-Star debut, Heat focus with Norman Powell turns to extension. www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/16/i... "Hopefully they like what I’ve been doing and the player and person I am, and get something done."
In wake of All-Star debut, Heat focus with Norman Powell turns to extension
To this stage, it largely has been a season of discovery and therefore deferral for the Miami Heat. But, still, an extension decision awaits with Norman Powell.
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:32 PM
In wake of All-Star debut, Heat focus with Norman Powell turns to extension. www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/16/i... "Hopefully they like what I’ve been doing and the player and person I am, and get something done."
Can Heat maximize minimal strength of remaining schedule? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/16/a... Plus: Johnson's title; the Rozier pick.
ASK IRA: Can Heat maximize minimal strength of remaining schedule?
The schedule says it’s a possibility. So can the Miami Heat work their way out of the play-in bracket?
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Can Heat maximize minimal strength of remaining schedule? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/16/a... Plus: Johnson's title; the Rozier pick.
Heat's Powell eliminated at All-Star Game as his Team World falls twice. www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/15/h... Provides spark off bench in second of two games.
Heat’s Powell eliminated at All-Star Game as his Team World falls twice
Norman Powell’s first appearance at the NBA All-Star Game afforded the Miami Heat forward the opportunity to play, and lose, in two All-Star Games under the new format.
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Heat's Powell eliminated at All-Star Game as his Team World falls twice. www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/15/h... Provides spark off bench in second of two games.
Heat's Keshad Johnson revels in NBA dunk championship, "Now they know who I am." www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/15/h... "I learned from all the people that came before me, paying homage to them, and now I’m here."
Heat’s Keshad Johnson revels in NBA dunk championship, ‘now they know who I am’
From the moment the music started, Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson made clear this was going to be more than the mundane when it came to the NBA All-Star dunk contest.
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 15, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Heat's Keshad Johnson revels in NBA dunk championship, "Now they know who I am." www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/15/h... "I learned from all the people that came before me, paying homage to them, and now I’m here."
When Heat are whole, does/should Kel'el Ware continue to start? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/15/a... Plus: Powell's time off; keeping Larsson.
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 15, 2026 at 2:58 PM
When Heat are whole, does/should Kel'el Ware continue to start? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/15/a... Plus: Powell's time off; keeping Larsson.
Heat's Keshad Johnson wins dunk contest at NBA All-Star Weekend. www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/14/h... Heat's Norman Powell fifth in 3-point contest.
Heat’s Keshad Johnson wins dunk contest at NBA All-Star Weekend
Delivering the same energy to the All-Star Saturday dunk contest he has delivered the past two years on the Miami Heat practice court, second-year forward Keshad Johnson won the competition.
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 15, 2026 at 12:56 AM
Heat's Keshad Johnson wins dunk contest at NBA All-Star Weekend. www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/14/h... Heat's Norman Powell fifth in 3-point contest.
Sunday notes on a Saturday: Amid Norman Powell's All-Star breakthrough, are Heat playing for keeps? www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/14/i... Plus: Jamaican pride; Ware v. Bam; Pat Riley; tanking; no comebacks; more.
Ira Winderman: Amid Norman Powell’s All-Star breakthrough, are Heat playing for keeps?
It has been an 11-year climb for Miami Heat guard Norman Powell to this first NBA All-Star berth and he timing arguably couldn’t be more fitting. But other Heat timing also awaits.
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Sunday notes on a Saturday: Amid Norman Powell's All-Star breakthrough, are Heat playing for keeps? www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/14/i... Plus: Jamaican pride; Ware v. Bam; Pat Riley; tanking; no comebacks; more.
Is there enough Heat momentum to escape the play-in round? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/14/a... Plus: Herro's missed time; Keshad dunking.
ASK IRA: Is there enough Heat momentum to escape the play-in round?
Is the chase for No. 6 a realistic goal for Miami Heat, Erik Spoelstra?
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Is there enough Heat momentum to escape the play-in round? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/14/a... Plus: Herro's missed time; Keshad dunking.
With nerves out of the way, Heat's Powell back for another shot at 3-point contest. sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/13/w... Today's Heat notebook.
With nerves out of the way, Heat’s Powell back for another shot at 3-point contest
When it comes to Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game, it will be all new for Miami Heat guard Norman Powell. But when it comes to Saturday’s 3-point contest, Powell is confident the jitters are …
sun-sentinel.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:12 PM
With nerves out of the way, Heat's Powell back for another shot at 3-point contest. sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/13/w... Today's Heat notebook.
Known as Showtime, Heat's Johnson ready to produce All-Star dunk drama. www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/13/k... "I got something nice. I don’t want to speak it into existence yet. It’s going to happen, though."
Known as Showtime, Heat’s Johnson ready to produce All-Star dunk drama
It was in eighth grade, when the layup line at Envision Academy turned into a dunk contest, so future Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson, then “13 or 14,” decided why not?
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Known as Showtime, Heat's Johnson ready to produce All-Star dunk drama. www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/13/k... "I got something nice. I don’t want to speak it into existence yet. It’s going to happen, though."
Are Heat waiting to pounce on the buyout market? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/13/a... Plus: More Bam; simply Simone.
ASK IRA: Are Heat waiting to pounce on the buyout market?
Do the Miami Heat have targets in mind on the NBA buyout market?
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Are Heat waiting to pounce on the buyout market? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/13/a... Plus: More Bam; simply Simone.
Spoelstra bends the cliche, says Heat better than what 29-27 record says. www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/12/s... "You are ultimately what your record is, but we feel differently about that."
Spoelstra bends the cliche, says Heat better than what 29-27 record says
Amid the ongoing search for consistency, the one constant that remains from coach Erik Spoelstra is that the Miami Heat are – or at least should be – better than their record.
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Spoelstra bends the cliche, says Heat better than what 29-27 record says. www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/12/s... "You are ultimately what your record is, but we feel differently about that."
Is it time for Heat to fill out roster, or at least upgrade Gardner? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/12/a... Plus: Adebayo attendance; Fontecchio's work.
ASK IRA: Is it time for Heat to fill out roster, or at least upgrade Gardner?
With room to work with, should be the Miami Heat address final two potential open roster spots?
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Is it time for Heat to fill out roster, or at least upgrade Gardner? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/12/a... Plus: Adebayo attendance; Fontecchio's work.
Winderman's view: Even in victory, Heat go into break as little more than an abstract www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/11/w... Thoughts on a welcomed Wednesday.
Winderman’s view: Even in victory, Heat go into break as little more than an abstract
Ira Winderman’s perspectives and other items of note from the Miami Heat’s Wednesday night game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:33 AM
Winderman's view: Even in victory, Heat go into break as little more than an abstract www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/11/w... Thoughts on a welcomed Wednesday.
Shorthanded Heat find way to go into break with winning record with 123-111 decision over Pelicans www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/11/s... Five Degrees of Heat.
Shorthanded Heat find way to go into break with winning record with 123-111 decision over Pelicans
A 29-27 record hardly is optimal at the All-Star break for a Miami Heat team seeking to avoid the play-in round for a fourth consecutive season. But at least it beats the .500 alternative.
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:30 AM
Shorthanded Heat find way to go into break with winning record with 123-111 decision over Pelicans www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/11/s... Five Degrees of Heat.
Heat's Spoelstra says a "strong face" would go a long way when it comes to Nikola Jovic. www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/11/h... Also: Fontecchio's role; two return.
Heat’s Spoelstra says a ‘strong face’ would go a long way when it comes to Nikola Jovic
When it comes to body language, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said that comportment carries weight. For Nikola Jovic, he said, it means carrying a “strong face” even in the toughest times.
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Heat's Spoelstra says a "strong face" would go a long way when it comes to Nikola Jovic. www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/11/h... Also: Fontecchio's role; two return.
More than a hot hand has Heat warming toward Jakucionis. www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/11/m... Spoelstra, "It’s really just because of how hard he plays. There’s a purity to that."
More than a hot hand has Heat warming toward Jakucionis
The rookie “whoa” moment arrived over the just-completed back-to-back set against the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz for Miami Heat first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis.
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:51 PM
More than a hot hand has Heat warming toward Jakucionis. www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/11/m... Spoelstra, "It’s really just because of how hard he plays. There’s a purity to that."
Have Heat learned in his absence how much they need Tyler Herro's scoring? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/11/a... Plus: Winning for losing; Jakucionis passing.
ASK IRA: Have Heat learned in his absence how much they need Tyler Herro’s scoring?
Would Tyler Herro’s offense have made this far easier, if he was able to get on the court and stay on the court?
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Have Heat learned in his absence how much they need Tyler Herro's scoring? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/11/a... Plus: Winning for losing; Jakucionis passing.
Heat's Ware fouls up opportunity to start again with Adebayo; more to come? www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/10/h... Also: 3-point thrust and trust.
Heat’s Ware fouls up opportunity to start again with Adebayo; more to come?
When it comes to Erik Spoelstra and his big lineup, the one pairing Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware, it isn’t as much about it running hot and cold as it is simply about having the spigot o…
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Heat's Ware fouls up opportunity to start again with Adebayo; more to come? www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/10/h... Also: 3-point thrust and trust.
Spoelstra speaks of 'frustrating' and 'exhilarating' and still ongoing Heat hope. www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/10/s... "I know there’s a resolve to forge ahead after disappointing games."
Spoelstra speaks of ‘frustrating’ and ‘exhilarating’ and still ongoing Heat hope
For at least one more night, Erik Spoelstra could speak in terms of his glass being more half full, even amid these empty feelings for the Miami Heat.
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Spoelstra speaks of 'frustrating' and 'exhilarating' and still ongoing Heat hope. www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/10/s... "I know there’s a resolve to forge ahead after disappointing games."
Is Heat loss to tanking Jazz even fathomable? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/10/a... Plus: How? Just how?; in the tank.
ASK IRA: Is Heat loss to tanking Jazz even fathomable?
How exactly does one lose when the other team refuses to try to win? The Miami Heat’s loss to the Utah Jazz is the perfect example?
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Is Heat loss to tanking Jazz even fathomable? Latest "Ask Ira" at www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/10/a... Plus: How? Just how?; in the tank.
Winderman's view: Heat could have more, but lost while settling for less www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/09/w... Thoughts on a miserable Monday.
Winderman’s view: Heat could have more, but lost while settling for less
Ira Winderman’s perspectives and other items of note from the Miami Heat’s Monday night game against the Utah Jazz.
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:20 AM
Winderman's view: Heat could have more, but lost while settling for less www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/09/w... Thoughts on a miserable Monday.
Heat find way to lose to a team trying to lose, fall 115-111 to Jazz www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/09/h... Five Degrees of Heat.
Heat find way to lose to a team trying to lose, fall 115-111 to Jazz
The low point of this Miami Heat season? Welcome to it, when Erik Spoelstra’s team lost to a team trying to lose.
www.sun-sentinel.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Heat find way to lose to a team trying to lose, fall 115-111 to Jazz www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/02/09/h... Five Degrees of Heat.