As the Miami Heat prepare for a new era of basketball, head coach Erik Spoelstra relayed a message that fans have been awaiting to hear - it's one that points to new schemes and, hopefully, an entirely different approach to the game for the franchise. Spo hinted as much as the team tipped off training camp with media day.
In the words of Spo, he's excited to install a "different plan for a different team." According to Spo, he's been working on new looks for the Heat as he prepares for this new chapter for the franchise.
Considering the Heat's offense got a bit stale, especially after the Jimmy Butler trade last season, fans will welcome the possibility of change with open arms. It may be exactly what the team needs to add some spice to a season that is flooded with uncertainty and the lack of defined expectations.
The possibilities are endless for the new-look Heat
Even though the Heat may not have the top-tier superstar that every team desires to have in the Association, there's reason to believe that Miami could still have an interesting season. What they lack in top-tier talent, they could theoretically make up for with depth.
Especially in the backcourt and on the wing, the Heat have the versatility that they'll need to put themselves in a position to make some mid-level noise in the Eastern Conference. They'll certainly need at least a couple of their young players to take a big leap in their development in order to make it happen, but if Spo did find the coaching fire once again, it'd be difficult to count out the Heat.
When he's at the top of his game and the players are bought in, Spo is consistently in the conversation for the best coach in the league.
If Spo is indeed refreshed and excited about coaching this group of players, there's reason for fans to be intrigued heading into the start of the season.
The Heat need an offensive resurgence
The biggest test for Spo and the Heat's coaching staff this season will come on the offensive end of the floor. Miami was a bottom-10 offense last season and looked absolutely overmatched in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
It'd be unfair to assume that Spo will have solved all of that in the course of one offseason, especially after losing the team's best 3-point shooter, while also having to survive at least the first month of the year without their best offensive weapon, but it will certainly be fun to watch unfold.
And with the way he was beaming at media day, it does seem as if Spo may have something already up his sleeve. If Spo does end up living up to his end of the bargain, Heat fans have every right to be excited about this season.
This is not one of those years that is going to end in an NBA Championship, but that doesn't mean this season can't be filled with joy and a resurgence for both the Heat and Spo.