Miami Heat: They Don’t Really Need A Point Guard In Free Agency
By Isiah Curry
Perhaps, the Miami Heat don’t need to bring in a point guard after all. Or… do they?
Even though a facilitating point guard would allow both Jimmy and Bam to revert back to their previous roles (for which they’ve had for most of their careers), with Jimmy acting as a cutter and Bam as a roll-man, we shouldn’t discredit the improvements they’ve made as playmakers within their own means.
Butler, who led Miami with 7.1 assists per game this year, was successful while operating as an offensive initiator. The same goes for Adebayo, who demonstrated an ability to create opportunities in isolation from either elbow — whenever Heat coach Spoelstra decided to let the offense go through him.
Although spacing issues were evident and the Heat were ultimately 25th in scoring this year, there were reminders of that thriving offense which took them to the Finals the season prior. For those who aren’t familiar with coach Spoelstra’s offensive playbook, he isn’t exactly reliant upon isolation sets.
He emphasizes player movement, including back-screens, cuts off the ball, and dribble handoffs. But not only have those actions worked during the last two seasons with this group, it’s made Miami nearly unpredictable against opposing defenses, despite what many consider a down year.
If the Heat were to sign a floor general to a max-level slot, you wouldn’t expect it to be their final move of the summer. They’ll have to address the gaping hole at the four-spot and how they’re going to round out their remaining cap holds.
The addition of a point guard who strictly needs the ball to direct offenses changes their offensive direction… or does it? In a vacuum, it’s feasible but in the Heat’s case, it shouldn’t be their saving grace.
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Regardless of who comes along in free agency though, defense will remain the focal point of Miami’s success with the current core they have and a point guard isn’t needed for the part of their identity that would work best — and that’s allowing that defense to help you get out to run in transition.