As we await LeBron James’ decision, most of the Miami Heat’s roster is set for the 2026-27 season. Their biggest order of business was acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will practically help them in every conceivable way (minus shooting) on the court.
But which areas will he boost the most? Let’s examine!
1. Rim Pressure/Free Throw Shooting
Skinny: OK, I cheated (sort of).
I lumped these two together because, to a certain extent, they go with one another. The more you attack the rim, the more likely you are to get to the free throw line.
That was the case in 2025-26. They finished No. 12 in rim frequency and 13th in free-throw attempts per 100 possessions in the regular season. Yet, Miami still recorded the fourth-fewest paint touches.
The Heat’s new offense was catered best to those who could break down an already-bent defense. But they still lacked the necessary talent to consistently create that initial advantage, which was evident from January onward.
Antetokounmpo is exactly that force.
In his last fully healthy season, he ranked inside the top-30 in drives. Additionally, he posted the 17th-highest rim frequency of all forwards and bigs (min. 1000 MIN), converting those attempts at a 75 percent clip (84th percentile), according to Cleaning The Glass. Antetokounmpo has also led the NBA in free throw attempts thrice and has converted at least 74 percent of his rim attempts in his last eight seasons.
Over his last five seasons, he’s averaged 11.1 free throws per game, which would top the Heat’s single-season FTA record, set by Dwyane Wade in 2005-06 (10.7).
2. Rebounding
Skinny: Antetokounmpo’s inconsistent health did some damage to his rebounding totals last year. Still, he’s one of the most effective rebounders in the sport.
It’s important to note that rebounding wins championships!!!!!!
I’d argue it’s the most underrated aspect in the game of basketball. Traditionally, under Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, Miami has been an elite defensive rebounding team, placing in the top-6 in defensive rebound percentage five times from 2019-25.
They slipped in that area a year ago, ranking outside the top-10 in DRB% (71.3), while finishing No. 19 in offensive rebound percentage. They were even worse without Bam Adebayo, who’s not only a very good rebounder, but a stronghold on box outs, on the floor.
With Antetokounmpo in the equation, the calculus changes.
Since the start of 2018-19, Antetokounmpo is 10th (of 340 players, min. 5000 MIN) in defensive rebound percentage (29.8). He also elevated the Bucks’ defensive rebound percentage by at least 1.5 percent in seven of his last seasons when he’s been on the floor, all marks that rank in the 77th percentile or better.
Those are numbers you can’t ignore if you’re planning to compete, which the Heat are. It goes without saying that every possession matters, especially in the postseason.
3. Transition efficiency
Skinny: There aren’t many greater forces in transition than Antetokounmpo. And that’s an area where the Heat have struggled mightily in recent years.
The Heat was a bottom-seven team in points scored per possession and was 13th in points added per 100 in transition. They have been 18th or worse in transition offensive rating three of the last four years.
That shouldn’t be the case with Antetokounmpo, a human cheat code because of his size, length and sheer athleticism. He’s always been an elite play finisher, but the two-time MVP has ranked in the 92nd percentile or better in transition points added in three of the last four seasons.
He’s also improved his points per possession in transition each of last five seasons, tallying 1.3 ppp in a shortened sample last season.
Antetokounmpo forms his own runway; he’s a one-man force of nature. And for a team that’s largely struggled when it comes to decision-making and spacing in transition, he’ll be a breath of fresh air.
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Lately we have been talking more about how much better we are going to be with Giannis and how great it is going to be having him. This is all true and we have a lot to be excited about for the upcoming season. Giannis won’t be able to take us all the way with this current team, but we are now capable, with just an addition or two, of being true contenders. It’s right there for us now, whether it happens this year or next.
Everything is different now, everything has changed for the better. Hop aboard, bandwagoneers, the ride is about to get more scenic.
Riley sucks and should retire.
yes until he got greek.yes until he got jimmy.wade made riley and spo.down here. especially spobot.pat was great everywhere until he got our age
Riley should be fired. Too old!
You can’t be right all the time, especially when you are willing to take an unequivocal stand. You can’t always say I somewhat agree with your statement.
Riley sucks and should be fired.
Ok, hope you got your vindication or one-up-manship. But, time to move on now. The spirit of this thread is there’s new hope a coming! As the Cars would say, “Let the good times roll.”
That’s comical. 2 years of non stop venom against the team and management and because it’s all butterflies and rainbows now for you and your fellow complainer, some of us who had to deal with that crap for 2 years should now just sing kumbaya together?
he lost it for a few years.was striking out on whales.landed an aging whale with short shelf life.jovic contract.over drafting of vanillas.keeping bam at center.not alls good with pat.deserved criticism was getting it nationally homer.when your good u get praise when not criticism thats sports.u dont like heaters getting criticized to bad uncs worse defender in nba tys second worse.my opinion.i havent seen any worse .jovics the worse player in heat history to date.my opinion.
Based on cumulative advanced defensive metrics like Defensive Real Plus-Minus (DPM), the 10 most consistently bottom-ranked defensive players in the NBA generally include:
Note: Hardaway Jr. #7. Only one whiteside in the bunch.
LeBron James landing now seem to be between the Heat and the Warriors.
Don’t believe anything you hear or half of what you see. Nothing is for sure until the fat lady sings…and she’s on vacation. The time for begging has passed. Que sera, sera. What will be…will be.
As soon as we get LeBron’s answer don’t be surprised if the HHH fair weather fans start posting again. You know the ones who post when Miami is winning and hibernate when it isn’t.
We should also begin seeing posts from new bandwagon fans who have suddenly decided to get in on the fun and call the Heat their new favorite team, if only until they learn if Miami will be a serious contender.
They’re already here, bro.
I see dead people.
Getting Giannis on free throws line is not exactly the way to win.
getting jovic there is the way
getting Jovic out of the way is the way.
trump should close the borders to guys who misuse arison funds.
You’ll be the first one to say “who saw this coming “ if he does well. And Riley is old and needs to retire.
Why bother the greatest mind in the universe with that?
Surely there is a place for an adviser for that issue. I think you would fit right in, so please, join that army of beautiful people helping HIM to solve all problems the World and Heat has.
And again, Amen.
Mitchell, Wiggins, LeBron, Greek and Bam would be best starting five defense in NBA.
…..not getting ahead of myself but add LeBron to that with those ‘touch down’ passes and we have double choke on teams.
him and port of miami take us out of playins to contenders.they takes milw from relevant to non relevant.
From low mediocre to rebuilding.
non relevant until they get a greek type player
This is going to be a different Heat transitional offense. The danger will be Giannis to be wary of offensive charges, that is how most teams will want to defend the Heat in fast break transition
If they get LeBron they are going to run over teams. Maybe I’m dreaming but, if that happens and Jovic gets in touch with his meaner side, forgetaboutit.
your on a jovic diet sm.drinking the kool aid
You have judged him guilty until he proves himself innocent. Third world legal process. I’m hoping he comes back more settled, confident and physical. However, I’m not guaranteeing jack.
this is basketball not judge judy .in the world of riley once paid gotta play.if niko can shoot it like unc he can survive here.when he goes to the hoop bad things tend to happen.maybe the next jack sikma?
He’s a total fair weather fan. Don’t you remember what he did with Jaquez in his second year and how he was sooooo surprised when Jaquez did well last season? Bandwagon.
jjj was great out of the gate jovic hasnt done sht here homer.pat fkd up what can i say .what did keshad do wrong what favoritism by pat and spobot total bs
Bam, Giannis and LeBron should take turns running over people. It shouldn’t take more than 3-4 charges for opponents to become very gun shy.
how bout vlad running over people that would hurt more
Feeling bad for those G Leaguers already.