As the NBA season progresses, the Miami Heat sit fifth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 5-7. While the Heat's roster remains largely unchanged, aside from a few offseason additions and free-agent departures, the team has showcased a fresh approach to its play style this season. This season the Heat have been developing a new offensive system that looks to eliminate the over-abundant amount of mid-range shots last year's group would take and keep it simple by looking to attack the rim and shoot threes.
While the Heat’s new offensive system has shown promise, not everyone has found their footing. Some players have struggled to adapt, whether due to cold shooting, adjustments to their roles, or early-season slumps. Here are three players who haven’t quite lived up to expectations or played like the versions of themselves we’ve come to know.
The Heat need more from Bam Adebayo.
Bam Adebayo has long been considered the heart and soul of this Miami Heat era, right next to Jimmy Butler. To Udonis Haslem, he's the new "Captain." To Dwyane Wade, he's the next Miami Heat great. However, even the most dependable stars face rough patches, and early this season, Adebayo’s play has fallen short of the high standard he’s set for himself.
He’s had standout moments, such as his 32-point, 14-rebound performance against the Wizards and his 30-point, 11-rebound, seven-assist, and five-steal game against the Pacers, but other than that, the Heat have been looking for their consistent 20 and 10 star. His scoring has dropped, and his confidence seems shaken at times, especially when it comes to the three-point shot. What started as a promising increase in his shooting attempts, with the potential for nearly three or four per game at a high percentage, has turned into a situation where he either seems to be forcing shots or, at times, reluctant to take them altogether.
Given the new offensive system they're in, and with Adebayo reluctant to shoot that shot, it's no wonder he's been struggling. Since the start of the season, he's now shooting 42 percent from the field and 31 percent from three. The field goal percentage is a career-low and is a big concern for a big. The finishing around the rim just hasn't been the same and neither has the post game. It feels as if Adebayo is out of rhythm.
He seems to feel more at home in the mid-range or in his dribble hand-offs, where he can be more of a threat as an offensive hub. Duncan Robinson and Adebayo are also one of the best duos when on the floor together. In 11 games together, they pose a 116.3 offensive rating and an impressive defensive rating of 99. 3. It's one of the Heat's best combos on both ends of the floor.
At this point, it might be best to let Adebayo be who he's been and slowly try to assimilate him into the new system. There are some players who can thrive in any system no matter where you place them, but for a player of Adebayo's stature, you need him to feel comfortable to get the best offensive results out of him. He's been unable to find his usual offensive gear when it comes to scoring and playmaking, and it's leaving a noticeable gap in the team’s production.
On the other side of the ball, it’s hard to call him disappointing defensively—because even on his worst days, Adebayo’s defense is still better than most players' best. The stocks (steals+blocks) are there too, but it does feel like there are moments where he loses the one-in-one matchups that we're not accustomed to seeing.
It's been a struggle for the All-Star center, no doubt, but it's better to struggle now if it means he's adjusted to the new play style alongside Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro, who seems to be figuring it out.
Josh Richardson's season has been up and down.
Josh Richardson entered the season as a veteran presence with the potential to provide scoring and leadership on both ends of the floor. However, he’s found himself entrenched in inconsistency, with his performance dipping significantly in several key areas. His shooting percentages are well below what he’s capable of, as he's shooting a career-low, 28 percent from the floor and 27 percent from three.
His defensive impact has always been a bit overstated, but his presence has been extremely lacking when it comes to that end of the floor. The Heat have desperately needed a defensive-minded guard, especially with the starting backcourt of Terry Rozier and Tyler Herro and then Duncan Robinson coming off the bench.
Not to put all the defensive pressure on Richardson, but if you can't make plays on that end of the floor and can't hit shots, it's going to be hard to retain your playing time. Whether it’s a matter of coming back from the shoulder injury or a cold start to the season, Richardson has yet to find his rhythm this season, leaving the team searching for answers.
Terry Rozier has been a disappointment.
Terry Rozier is the final player who has been less than impressive, and there's actually a multitude of reasons why. In Charlotte, he was often seen as a dynamic scoring threat and a leader on the court, and a guy who could give the Hornets' fans some interest. However, ever since he got to Miami, his on-court play hasn't really translated with this Heat team.
It started with Rozier not wanting to step on toes as this is an already established locker room, but now it's turning into a question of whether he really fits with the starting unit. The shooting splits haven't been great, as a matter of fact, they're some of the worst since his rookie season in Boston.
His scoring has been erratic, and at times, it feels like he’s trying to force the issue rather than letting the game come to him. His shooting, especially from deep, has been up and down, and that inconsistency has left a void in the Heat's new offense, where they rely on him to be a reliable scorer and playmaker. The finishing at the rim for Rozier has always been suspect, but it's really hurt the offense as defenses don't have to crash too hard on him. If you have a bigger guy in the vicinity, he's more than likely going to miss.
His defense has also been an issue, as stated earlier, the defensive backcourt is just too small, and they get picked on. He's given up some timely baskets, including some vs the Sacramento Kings and the Detroit Pistons, which are two games they should've had in the bag.
While saying all this makes it feel like the sky is falling, it doesn't have to be a bigger issue than it is. Rozier could thrive with different lineups with the bench unit. There's more spacing and more opportunities for him to be the best version of himself. He can't be the guy he was in Charlotte, sharing the ball with Butler, Adebayo, and Herro. Especially Herro and the masterful play he's had so far this year.
For Bam Adebayo, Josh Richardson, and Terry Rozier, the season has been a tough one so far. While all three players have the talent and ability to be major contributors to the Miami Heat, their performances have left much to be desired. For Miami to make a push in the standings, the team needs these players to turn things around and while it's fun to overreact, the best part of this issue is that the Heat are only 13 games into the season, with a negative record, and are still the fifth seed.
The East has been so awful that they can actually afford to have this start. While these losses and this struggle of play have added to the frustration, one can only wonder that if these guys can get right, who knows what can happen this season.