One former coach didn't beat around the bush when criticizing the Miami Heat's offensive approach, stating that one of the team's staples on that end of the floor has become stale. The onus is now on Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra to figure out a way to solve the issue and keep the team's offense fresh this upcoming season.
If last year was any indication, Miami needs to make a slight adjustment to its offense this season. As Mo Dakhil, a former NBA Video Coordinator for the LA Clippers and San Antonio Spurs, points out, the league has kind of caught up to their dribble-handoff action that the Heat loves to run. Especially without Duncan Robinson, the Heat will need to adjust.
And it will be interesting to see what kind of new wrinkle Spo comes up with this season. The Heat clearly needs to make some sort of overall adjustment to their offensive philosophy, and there may not be any easy answers.
But that's part of what makes Spo great. He generally finds a way, and this could finally be the year where his offense gets a complete makeover now that it has become clear it's become a weak spot in the Heat's overall approach.
The Tyler Herro injury does limit Spo's options
Theoretically speaking, the Tyler Herro injury is not going to make life any easier for Spo as he prepares to revive the offense this season. Sure, he's only expected to miss a month of the season, but it's going to be difficult to set the tone and then completely alter things 15 games into the year when Herro is ready to return.
But I suppose that's what Spo gets paid to do.
In five games without Herro last season, the Heat were 0-5 and, perhaps most importantly, they had an offensive rating of 110. That would've ranked bottom-5 in the league over the course of the regular season. Not good.
Not only will Spo have to figure out what the new starting 5 will look like to begin the year without Herro, but they'll also have to add a new wrinkle to the offense without the luxury of having his best offensive player available.
There's an argument to be made that Spo is heading into one of his most important coaching years of his career in Miami. It remains to be seen if that will end up being the case, but it's clear he'll certainly have his work cut out for him this season.