@miamiheat on Instagram
The Heat fell to the Mavericks 113–109, dropping to 0-4 to start the season. Giannis finished with 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists (his first triple-double as a member of the Miami Heat), but Miami still couldn't get its first win. I am not giving up on this team after four games, but there are problems that need to be addressed. The Bam+Giannis fit remains awkward; the supporting cast is underperforming, and the effort hasn't been consistent enough.
1. The Giannis–Bam Minutes Are Not Working
The Giannis and Bam minutes look unplayable right now. Through four games, Miami has been outscored 206-161 in their 71 minutes and 15 seconds together, a -45 differential and a -31.6 net rating. Those should be the stretches where this team has its biggest advantage. Instead, the fit is still clunky, and the spacing is not there.
Bam finished with eight points on 3/10 shooting (30.0%), including 0/5 from 3 against Dallas. Afterward, he said his shot just is not falling right now. That is part of the problem, but Davion Mitchell also pointed out that Bam and Giannis play in the same spaces. You can see it during possessions when they crowd each other, and neither has enough room to operate.
I still believe Spo and this team will find a solution, but they need it soon. Bam making shots would help, but Miami also needs more purposeful movement and clearer roles when both are on the floor. The pairing this roster is built around needs to make the game easier for everyone.
2. Miami Needs More From Its Role Players
The Bam and Giannis fit deserves attention, but Miami also needs more from the players around them. Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, and Tim Hardaway Jr. have been underwhelming, and Nikola Jović has completely played himself out of the rotation.
Miami needs to rely on these players. They have to make open shots and give this offense something beyond its two stars. There is time to turn it around, but the supporting cast has to start holding up its end.
The shooting struggles make the spacing issues even harder to solve. When opponents don't have to respect the players around Bam and Giannis, those two have even less room to work.
3. Give Some Other Guys an Opportunity
Dru Smith’s minutes against Dallas encouraged me, and I would like to see him get more opportunities. With the way some of the rotation has struggled, those minutes should be available.
I also want to see more Simone Fontecchio and Ryan Conwell. Miami needs help shooting, and I want to see whether those two can provide spacing and knock down the opportunities this offense creates.
Even Myron Gardner could be worth giving minutes at times. This team has lacked hustle and a fiery mentality, and he could bring a spark. I am not asking Spo to overhaul everything after four games, but if the usual rotation is not getting it done, give someone else a chance to earn those minutes.
4. The Effort Has to Be Better, Especially on Defense
Miami has lost the rebounding battle in every game so far, and offensive rebounding frustrates me most. With this roster's size, that should be an advantage. Instead, opponents are getting extra possessions. Size only helps if guys actually box out and go after the ball.
The effort is especially important defensively because that is where this team is supposed to be elite. With Bam, Giannis, Wiggins, and Davion, Miami has the personnel to make opponents uncomfortable. Instead, guys are getting beaten off the dribble and allowing easy paths to the rim. Chemistry will take time, but competing defensively and finishing possessions with a rebound must be consistent.
That defense also needs to fuel the transition offense. Stops and securing the ball give Miami chances to run before the defense sets. With the half-court offense looking so awkward right now, those easier opportunities would make a big difference.
Too many offensive possessions also have guys standing still and watching the ball. Cut, move, set a screen, do something to help the guy creating. Miami cannot expect the offense to flow when everyone is waiting for someone else to make a play.
Shots will not fall every night. Effort has to be something Miami can depend on.
Next Up
On Wednesday (10/28), Miami takes on the Hawks in Atlanta. They are a big, physical team built around defense, forcing turnovers and getting out in transition. Miami has to protect the ball, match their physicality, and hustle back defensively. It is still early, but I want to see this team respond with more urgency. Atlanta will make them pay if they bring the same effort.
@miamiheat on Instagram
The Heat fell to the Mavericks 113–109, dropping to 0-4 to start the season. Giannis finished with 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists (his first triple-double as a member of the Miami Heat), but Miami still couldn't get its first win. I am not giving up on this team after four games, but there are problems that need to be addressed. The Bam+Giannis fit remains awkward; the supporting cast is underperforming, and the effort hasn't been consistent enough.
1. The Giannis–Bam Minutes Are Not Working
The Giannis and Bam minutes look unplayable right now. Through four games, Miami has been outscored 206-161 in their 71 minutes and 15 seconds together, a -45 differential and a -31.6 net rating. Those should be the stretches where this team has its biggest advantage. Instead, the fit is still clunky, and the spacing is not there.
Bam finished with eight points on 3/10 shooting (30.0%), including 0/5 from 3 against Dallas. Afterward, he said his shot just is not falling right now. That is part of the problem, but Davion Mitchell also pointed out that Bam and Giannis play in the same spaces. You can see it during possessions when they crowd each other, and neither has enough room to operate.
I still believe Spo and this team will find a solution, but they need it soon. Bam making shots would help, but Miami also needs more purposeful movement and clearer roles when both are on the floor. The pairing this roster is built around needs to make the game easier for everyone.
2. Miami Needs More From Its Role Players
The Bam and Giannis fit deserves attention, but Miami also needs more from the players around them. Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, and Tim Hardaway Jr. have been underwhelming, and Nikola Jović has completely played himself out of the rotation.
Miami needs to rely on these players. They have to make open shots and give this offense something beyond its two stars. There is time to turn it around, but the supporting cast has to start holding up its end.
The shooting struggles make the spacing issues even harder to solve. When opponents don't have to respect the players around Bam and Giannis, those two have even less room to work.
3. Give Some Other Guys an Opportunity
Dru Smith’s minutes against Dallas encouraged me, and I would like to see him get more opportunities. With the way some of the rotation has struggled, those minutes should be available.
I also want to see more Simone Fontecchio and Ryan Conwell. Miami needs help shooting, and I want to see whether those two can provide spacing and knock down the opportunities this offense creates.
Even Myron Gardner could be worth giving minutes at times. This team has lacked hustle and a fiery mentality, and he could bring a spark. I am not asking Spo to overhaul everything after four games, but if the usual rotation is not getting it done, give someone else a chance to earn those minutes.
4. The Effort Has to Be Better, Especially on Defense
Miami has lost the rebounding battle in every game so far, and offensive rebounding frustrates me most. With this roster's size, that should be an advantage. Instead, opponents are getting extra possessions. Size only helps if guys actually box out and go after the ball.
The effort is especially important defensively because that is where this team is supposed to be elite. With Bam, Giannis, Wiggins, and Davion, Miami has the personnel to make opponents uncomfortable. Instead, guys are getting beaten off the dribble and allowing easy paths to the rim. Chemistry will take time, but competing defensively and finishing possessions with a rebound must be consistent.
That defense also needs to fuel the transition offense. Stops and securing the ball give Miami chances to run before the defense sets. With the half-court offense looking so awkward right now, those easier opportunities would make a big difference.
Too many offensive possessions also have guys standing still and watching the ball. Cut, move, set a screen, do something to help the guy creating. Miami cannot expect the offense to flow when everyone is waiting for someone else to make a play.
Shots will not fall every night. Effort has to be something Miami can depend on.
Next Up
On Wednesday (10/28), Miami takes on the Hawks in Atlanta. They are a big, physical team built around defense, forcing turnovers and getting out in transition. Miami has to protect the ball, match their physicality, and hustle back defensively. It is still early, but I want to see this team respond with more urgency. Atlanta will make them pay if they bring the same effort.
