Miami Heat Have Thrived At Adjustment Needed For Al Horford’s Return
Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo Is Truly The ‘Adjustment’ In Question
Robert Williams is not only a legit shot-blocking rim protector, one the best in the game, but he can close out to shooters rather swiftly when needed. On the offensive end is where you might need to look closer, as the Miami Heat won’t be able to pack that paint as they did, at times, in Game 1.
Horford can hit the three-ball, get it done off the bounce enough, and finish inside like a traditional big man. And that’s fine.
The Miami Heat, all regular season long, were the best team in the league at protecting their paint. They did so while Bam Adebayo, often, floated around along the perimeter when needed, only to get back to help protect the rim if he could.
That’s how they typically play it. So, while Horford would typically pull the opposing big away from the area where they are traditionally most effective on defense, Rudy Gobert, Deandre Ayton, or his own cohort in Williams, Bam Adebayo thrives anywhere on the floor defensively.
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Horford is still a really good player and his outburst in Game 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks proves it. But, the Miami Heat won’t be facing anything in his return that they aren’t built to face, haven’t faced all year long up until this point, and can’t overcome in this Game 2 of the 2022 NBA Eastern Conference Finals.