When the Miami Heat are healthy, for the most part, they are a very dangerous team in the league. There aren’t many complaints to have this year if you are a Miami fan, at all, is the point.
Yeah, of course, you can pick at certain things on the roster that you would like to see be better. On most of them even, there is probably a certain level of agreeance that certain players need to be better in certain situations.
However, there are also a ton of things that many would disagree on. Having said that, all Miami Heat fans can probably agree on one thing.
That would be about the issue with their crunch-time offense. Miami, in close games, makes you nervous.
They, often, are left to scramble at the end of a possession where they can’t seem to figure out how to get off a good look. With so many talented guys, it’s befuddling.
With that, what are some tweaks that Miami can make that might allow the ball to go in the hoop more in those closing moments? It’s a great question and here are some options.
Miami Heat: Diversification Might Be Key Fix To Late Game Offensive Issues
When you take a total view on things, Erik Spoelstra might be the best coach in the NBA. He, absolutely, should be the NBA’s Coach Of The Year this season.
With that, everyone on the coaching staff and the players need to be better when it matters the most. Too many times have seen Jimmy Butler dribble the air out of the ball as the clock ticks away, only leading to nothing.
Whether it ends up with a contested jumper or a questionable three, either isn’t preferable in those spots. Honestly, you shouldn’t mind Butler getting the ball in crunch time, however, you would like to see more of a plan from Bulter there.
At the very least, you’d like to see a better play drawn up. Even if it’s as simple as Butler attacking the rim, looking to kick it out to an open shooter or a cutter to the rim, that’s a plan.
Too often in these scenarios, though, it just doesn’t seem like Jimmy or the Miami Heat are prepared with a plan for these scenarios.
Miami Heat: Specifically, Bam Adebayo And Tyler Herro Doing More Might Help
Something that might want to be looked at closer in those moments is Bam Adebayo being used more. Adebayo hit the game-winner against the Brooklyn nets last season.
He has that in him. In fact, he has a ton more in him and needs to show it more regularly, but that’s a different conversation to be had.
To this point though, how about Bam being used in the dribble handoff in those moments? Yes, that is one of Miami’s go-to plays with Adebayo and Robinson, but that’s even more reason to go to it, right?
It would give Miami a couple of options instead of just pounding the ball, eventually leading to taking a bad shot. You’d like to see Adebayo have the ball in his hands, perhaps, allowing him to make a decision.
Even if it means Adebayo going one on one, he’s a good passer who will make the right read when needed. It would also allow Jimmy to maximize what he does best, finding gaps and finishing strong at the cup.
The Miami Heat need to figure it out during crunch time. Kyle Lowry has been out the past eight games due to personal reasons, so that is something.
Having him back on the team should definitely help them at the end of the game. Even allowing Tyler Herro to make a play would be something to look at more, though his passing isn’t the greatest.
Even with that though, you know he’s not scared of the moment. A part of this and something that needs to be understood is that with a lot of time on the clock, relative to the final moments of a game, and with Jimmy orchestrating in the closing moments, the defense knows what’s likely to come.
All in all, you love this current team as it is right now, knowing when and if they can get fully healthy, they’ll be a scary sight for anyone. Getting there might be an issue, but you have to wait and see.
If they can learn to close games a smidgen of a bit better, in these closing moments and holding on to leads, then the sky is still the limit.