It's time for Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra to put the offense first. We know that Spo loves defense, and often prioritizes that with his set rotations and starting 5. However, if the Heat are going to be unexpectedly good this season, you'd have to imagine that it'll all begin with a high-powered offense.
Looking at the Heat's roster construction, it's hard to imagine how they're going to emerge as a dominant defensive team this season (in a way that would completely alter the expectations for the team). That's why the Heat may end up being better off prioritizing a well-oiled machine on the offensive end of the floor.
If the Heat are going to compete with some of the other contenders in the Eastern Conference, they're going to need to bounce back in a big way on the offensive end of the floor. Last season, Miami finished with the 21st-best offensive rating in the league.
Interestingly enough, the Heat did finish in the top 10 of defense rating last season. It didn't matter much as the team's offense never truly got going. Miami snuck their way into the postseason, but were embarrassed in the first round against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
If the result is going to be different for the Heat this season, we're going to have to see a big surge on the offensive end of the floor.
The Heat's big concern on offense
That's far from a foregone conclusion for the Heat, even after the offseason addition of Norman Powell. While he's certainly going to offer a much-needed jolt to the offense, it'd be foolish to think that his addition alone to the roster is going to solve the headaches that plagued the Heat this past season.
Add in the fact that Miami lost its best 3-point shooting wing, without replacing him, and there is a real concern for the team on the perimeter.
It's certainly Spo's job to figure out how the Heat are going to survive without Robinson this season, but it's hard to imagine how his loss is going to help the team's spacing on the offensive end of the floor.
At this point, it has to be considered one of the bigger concerns for the team, especially if they elect to move forward with the idea of playing bigger in their starting 5.
If Spo does want to prioritize offense, you'd almost have to assume that Nikola Jovic will have to replace Kel'el Ware in the penciled-in starting unit. Perhaps that's the big sign that will suggest whether or not Spo is ready to go all-in on a more offensive-minded playing style.
With how last season ended, what could be the harm in trying something different? Catering to the offense a bit more this season would give the fans a much more entertaining product to get behind, and it could give the Heat a better shot at competing in the East.