Erik Spolestra’s adjustments will determine how real the Miami Heat are

Does coach Erik Spoelstra have the right moves to make the Miami Heat more than just a sweet sports-media story?

When all of the blocks, bandwagon hoppers, and comeback stories wade away, the Miami Heat run will become one of reality versus perception.

Make no mistake, it was the Heat’s play on the court that transformed them from gritty underdogs to bubble darlings. However, at some point the storylines took over the spotlight, painting things like the ability to come back from down double-digits as inevitable wins for Miami.

That perception helped blind onlookers to the reality that the Heat had been losing sight of the little things. The team was piling up victories, but also building film of poor rotations, bad double teams, and sleepy starts to begin games.

For some perspective, the Heat have been outscored 116-87 in four first quarters, dating back to Game 5 of the Milwaukee Bucks semifinals series.

The words of Jimmy Butler only magnified Miami’s pitfalls, but coach Erik Spoelstra’s adjustments could define the remainder of their playoff season.

Prior to Game 3, Heat fans were not pleased with Monday Night Football pushing Game 4 back two days. They presumed Miami’s possible 3-0 momentum would be stifled and Gordon Hayward would get a little extra time to get healthy.

After the loss, the time off should be considered a chance for coach Spoelstra to do what he does best—game plan.

Miami Heat season will rest on Erik Spoelstra’s ability to implement change.

Truth is, Spoelstra’s in-game adjustments can be hit or miss at times. Often giving viewers the feeling that answers are being prayed for. On the flip side, the former video coordinator usually trots out all sorts of changes and counters when given the time to do film study and formulate a plan.

And make no mistake, several tweaks need to be made.

For starters, coach Spoelstra has to find a way to counter Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown’s switch to hugging Duncan Robinson and Goran Dragic every time they cross half court. He also has to find a way to punish the Boston Celtics for assigning Kemba Walker and Enes Kanter to Jae Crowder and Andre Iguodala with no fear of a Crowder post up or Iguodala blow-by.

As arguably one of the NBA’s top 5 coaches, Spoelstra has been recognized as a master of adaptation.

This could be traced through his entire Heat tenure, starting with the 2008-09 team where Dwyane Wade won the scoring title, to flipping offensive philosophies for the Big Three after losing the 2010-11 Finals, to keeping every team in playoff contention following their breakup.

So this is neither a new hand being delivered to Spoelstra nor one as simple as preparing for the Bucks without Giannis Antetokounmpo. What it is, is Miami’s chance to snatch Boston’s heart if he and his troops are on top of their game. Or better yet, on to a new game plan.