At least one NBA analyst is still bullish on the Miami Heat's new offense, as Fred Katz notes that he's interested to see whether this new philosophy can be successful in the playoffs. Historically, this is the type of offense that falters in the postseason. However, as he also notes, would Erik Spoelstra create (and install) an offense that is just going to fall apart in the playoffs?
The answer is no, but that's certainly something that Spo and this Heat team will have to prove.
The Heat's huge changes to their offense
Theoretically speaking, the playoffs are all about creating advantages. That's why star players stand tall the most in the postseason. Generally speaking, the easiest way to accomplish that, especially without superstar players, is through pick-and-rolls and, at the very least, ball screens. However, the Heat's offense has moved away from most of those concepts.
The Heat is averaging the fewest ball screens in the league and has all but removed the majority of their pick-and-roll action, including dribble handoffs, out of their offensive calls. Because of that, it's easy to question whether this pace, cut, and motion offense will have success in the playoffs.
Then again, at the heart of this question is basically debating whether Spo knows what he's doing or not.
And as probably the best active coach in the league right now, I'm not sure how anyone can feel confident about doubting Spo. Again, why would Spo install an offense that he knows is destined to fall apart in the postseason? He wouldn't. And he didn't.
But, sure, he'll have to prove that when it matters most. And it's only natural for there to be some early doubters.
The best part about this debate is that we're eventually going to get the answer to this question. Unless something drastically changes between now and the end of the season, the Heat are almost certainly going to make the postseason in a weak Eastern Conference.
At that point, that's when the ultimate test of this offense will come. Last year, the Heat were a downright disaster on the offensive end of the floor in their first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. That historically bad performance is partly what sparked the big changes to the Heat's offense.
While the Heat have shown some positive signs to being the regular season, this offense will only be judged by what it can do in the postseason. It's only then that a final verdict will come on this Frankenstein philosophy created by Spo.