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How concerned should you be of Miami’s offense after a 1-3 start
In a game where Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro outscored the Milwaukee Bucks franchise player
Giannia Antetekumpo, the Heat (1-3) closed out their fourth regular-season game with a
122-114 loss to the Bucks Monday. Miami was ripped through in transition by almost everyone
that night; even Milwaukee forward Bobby Portis.
Since Miami’s 103-102 victory in the season opener Oct. 25 against the Detroit Pistons, they
have had star players sit out games, guys sidelined due to injury and have slowly become an
early lackluster team on offense.
With the first week of the regular season over with, the Heat bring more concerns than
guarantees to their play on the floor. Unless you’re looking at Herro and Heat forward Bam
Adebayo, you might not know what the hell is going on in Pat Riley’s house of cards within the
roster.
Herro through four games has taken heave to what is asked of him from the franchise that
potentially was going to ship him out in an attempt for Bucks guard Damian Lillard. The former
first-round selection averaged 25.3 points and shot 42% from the floor per game in the first
week.
Adebayo since his rookie season has progressed to a primary isolation, take-him-inside type of
big man with a jump shot that challenges anyone to get close to him. Bam scored 22 points and
corralled eight boards in Miami’s 103-102 win against Detroit. However, Adebayo hasn’t done
much defensively one-on-one.
Despite producing a 115.2 defensive rating this season, his main defensive assignments
through his three games played -- Pistons Jalen Duren, Boston Celtics forward Kristaps
Porzinigis and Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert -- all scored 14 or more points,
grabbed nine or more rebounds and shot 50% or better against him.
There hasn’t been a lot of help for Adebayo under the basket. Heat forward Kevin Love is
usually tested outside the painted area on offense and doesn't fare well against younger
forwards inside on defense.
Miami forward Thomas Bryant provides some size coming off the bench, but hasn’t had a
positive game since the opener. The six-year vet started his first game of the season against
Milwaukee Monday. Bryant ended his night with 10 points, two steals and shot at a 57% clip
through 22 minutes of play.
The first guy you see make their way to the scorers table in the past few games for Miami is
forward Jamal Cain, who made his NBA debut with the Heat last year in November. The
6-foot-6-inch wing averages 14.6 minutes per game, but usually finds his time scoring by
himself or cutting baseline. Cain has yet to record a single assist.
Behind him is Heat fifth-year guard Duncan Robinson. The sharp shooter has been anything but
sharp early this season. Robinson has shot 39.3% from 3-point range and 46.2% from the floor
-- tied for 92nd best in the association.
Miami’s depth is not “contender” ready -- we all know that. Bryant isn’t going to come in and
provide double-digit scoring nights off the bench, nor defend players like Philadelphia Sixers
center Joel Embiid from dominating inside. The only thing Miami can rely on is its offense.
Unfortunately, this offense has missed a huge usage guy in their few games played with All-Star
forward Jimmy Butler. The franchise player for Miami has been in more headlines for his hair
compared to what he’s done in the stat box so far this season.
After suffering a 119-111 loss on the road to the Celtics Oct. 27, Butler was off the Heat’s
rotation for ‘rest’ reasons against the Minnesota Timberwolves Oct. 28.
The Heat, without Butler on the floor, lost against Minnesota 106-90 as Miami’s offense
struggled to compete against a 25-point showing by Naz Reid.
Butler hasn’t been the guy for Miami through these first few games. The veteran forward has
averaged 15.3 points per game and doesn’t find the ball in his hands when much. Matter a fact,
when Miami was going on a comeback run against Milwaukee, Butler didn’t see the floor.
In a weird way, Butler is almost seen as an afterthought. Him and 37-year-old guard Kyle Lowry.
The aging guard has only one standout performance, a 13-point game against Boston, this
season. Besides that, Lowry has declined in his game.
Miami with these issues currently are ranked 25th in the NBA for most points per game as a
team and are in the middle of the pack in other offensive categories. This may be just early
hiccups on their way to a good season, but the Miami Heat need to find answers before it’s too
late.
Written by: Brandon Hernandez
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