The Miami Heat entered training camp clearly wanted to modify a shot profile that was the chief reason why it ranked in the bottom-third in offensive efficiency over the last two years.
Miami led the league in mid-range frequency last year while sporting the third-worst rim frequency. Through four preseason games with the regulars, however–a small sample, but one nonetheless–Miami took only 5.5 percent of its attempts from the mid-range area, with an enormous emphasis on shots in the paint and beyond the arc; in those four games, it took 47.8 percent of its shots in the paint (36.7 percent at rim) and 46.7 percent from 3-point range.
That’s a very stark difference. Though when asked about the modified offense ahead of the team’s season-opener against the Orlando Magic Monday, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra downplayed it.
“We’re not running a math class here,” he said, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. “We’re trying to win basketball games. So you guys are trying to turn this into a math class. I was horrible at math. That’s not our intention right now.
“We’re not reinventing the game of basketball. We’re not re-inventing it for us. These are supposed to be some subtle, hopefully some level of sophisticated improvements. But that’s really all it is. I just want our guys comfortable. I want them knowing how we’re going to play, what’s going to lead to winning and get to that more consistently.”
Should it translate to the regular season, Miami’s newfound offense only makes it easier for the likes of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo to get to the rim. Inherently, a goal for every team is to make life easier for their best players as often as possible. Generating paint touches while having a more efficient process will make it harder to defend all five players–thus accomplishing just that.
“As long as he’s getting to his game, if we can find a way to help [Butler] get to his game at the highest level, it’s not rocket science — that makes sense for all of us,” Spoelstra said. “We have great success when he’s playing at a high level, the same goes for Bam. The other guys, I want them feeling comfortable working around that orbit, where they can be super aggressive and confident.”
Butler capped off his first preseason in three years by looking as engaged as ever on both ends. They’re meaningless, but he averaged 12.8 points in 19.1 minutes on 64.0 percent shooting and 77.5 percent true shooting, in addition to 3.3 rebounds, two assists and 1.8 steals.
Adebayo continued to showcase his expanded range, attempting 13 3-pointers across four contests, making five of them (38.5 percent). Tyler Herro, who’s struggled to get to the rim, was one of the team’s primary beneficiaries of the new shot diet.
There’s no telling how drastic their shooting splits will be; some nights, there may be a more balanced diet, and other nights, it may not be. Different teams, with different personnel and different schemes, will defend others differently. This will be a key trend to monitor–as well as how efficient those rim and 3-point attempts are.
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When your 2 best players are poor floor spacers and likes to eat up seconds dribbling the ball just to get a low percentage shot then your team isn’t going to get a lot of possessions and those possessions aren’t going to be good looks at the rim.
Damn dude! They haven’t even played 1 minute of basketball and you’re already writing them off. Who says they are poor floor spacers? Not this year.
Last season, Butler hit 41%+ from long distance. Since the last few weeks of last season, Olympics, and preseason, it seems Bam can hit 35-37%. That should space the floor along with the other 3 starters.
THINGS ARE SUDDENLY LOOKING UP!
The team should reach at least the 50-win mark, granted these elements carry over.
https://allucanheat.com/realistic-prediction-miami-heat-wins-this-season?utm_campaign=FanSided+Daily&utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email&sc=e0273490fd355e2c28bdb25751d41af65a4dd80936ff00a80be9866c97887955
We played a weak preseason schedule and only saw glimpses of the starting lineup so it is difficult to judge how we are going to do going into the real games. Two things to watch: first injuries, will they continue to plague us? And two: Jovic’s position, will he be able to contribute offensively. I think he will be adequate on the defensive end but on offense he needs to both make threes and also score some inside. We shall see…
Five on the floor podcast did a session on Jovic’s role. Jovic said he wanted to lead the team in assists, which I think says something really important about his skill set and how the team wants to run an offense.
I don’t understand why so many around here are so underwhelmed by Jovic’s production and potential. In time I think he could end up being our “point forward” setting up Bam, Jaime and Herro. Changing the geometry on the court with his size.
Neither do I. He is at least as good as Babbit, Leonard, even KO fulfilling this role.
Heat went far with such players at PF position.
If he takes 7-8 shoots a game and hit 3-4, that’s all we need form him regarding scoring. His strengths are playmaking and assisting. If he shines in those two categories, the heat will be really good team. And of course, play solid defense and get a couple of rebounds.
The Heat doesn’t need another Kelly Olynyk/Point Forward. It needs a POWER FORWARD! Ideally, someone like Bam!
Power forwards should be tall, strong, and aggressive. The primary skill for a power forward in basketball is rebounding. Last season, Miami was tied for 25th in the league in rebounding! If the PF can score, defend and be a playmaker, even better. Bam can do all four.
Once Ware is ready to go at Center, Bam should slide over to PF and Jovic (assuming he hasn’t been replaced by then) should go to the second unit. He could flourish there as a Point Forward or perhaps one day develop into a legitimate PF.
If Jovic truly wants to be a good PF, he should continue building up his muscle and strength and practice rebounding, especially boxing out techniques. Being a good rebounder is a state of mind. Right now, Jovic has the state of mind of a point guard in a PF body.
I m quite optimistic. Both starting lineup and bench were competitive despite bad shooting.
The ball moved well, which is really important. we shouldn’t panic, if there wont be an immediate success. Look at NY, one of the main contenders for title, a defensive oriented team. They will be better despite last night.
Philly is already in big troubles. We are fine right now.
I think Jovic will be fine.
Definitely better than Babbit or Leonard. Got a ways to go to be as good as KO.
ko was a very average player jovic right now is below average so your statement is true
KO had a nice repertoire of offensive moves around the basket. But, he gave up too much on defense
My point exactly. Miami needs 5 good-very good starters. One below average starter brings the whole group down. That is why I have been proposing the Kuzma trade and pushing Ware into a rotation spot and eventually a starting spot…sooner than later. I see Ware as Lively 2.0 by the playoffs. I see Jovic as Olynyk 2.0 until/unless he gets over the next hurdle of becoming a true PF or a good scorer. Miami got rid of Olynyk for a reason.
I want to see Jovic succeed. I just don’t see it as a Point Forward. He needs to get meaner and more physical. Finesse PF doesn’t work in Miami.
KO was a great player. But not elite. Both Jovic and Kuzma are not elite players.
KO a Great Player? On what planet?
Career Stats: 22.6 MPG, 10.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.4 APG
True, not great, but a savvy vet who was a nice complementary player.
Actually, It is close already because of the defense factor. I do think Jovic may get to be better on defense. And, so you know I’m not anti-Jovic, and root for him like any other Heat player, I will say I do appreciate his surprisingly quick and agile footwork for a big man. With his length, he is not easy to blow past.
People watch the starting lineup, where there are four good players, and see the best chance to improve to make a change at PF. believe this is a reason that there is so much talk about Jovic, not because he is a bad player.
I believe we have to be patient. Jovic will most likely improve. If not, there is an option with Bam at PF and Ware at C. We dont need a trade to fix this issue. It will care of itself one way or another within a year.
I agree with this. We must remember this is a player who just turned 21 and is still honing his skills. The combination of ball handling, passing, size, shooting makes him a keeper imo.
Agreed. You don’t trade unicorns. Look how far he’s come in a few seasons. And if Spo trusts him there… That’s all I need to hear.
its the same team 30.good team stay injury free like our chances
Injury free may be the sticky wicket. It would be wonderful to even have twenty games where our top eight in the rotation were all available. It would be so great to see how good this team really could be.
Well statistics say that Niko and Bam have been one of the Heat’s top 2 PF-C tandems in the Jimmy Butler era along with PJ and Bam.