Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has completely revolutionized the team's offense this season, and if their success continues, it's only natural that the rest of the league is going to try to replicate what they're doing.
After finishing with an anemic offense last year and losing in embarrassing (and historic) fashion at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs, it was clear that change was desperately needed in Miami.
Spo took that challenge this past offseason and decided to completely change the way the team approached the offensive end of the floor. Through the first month of the season, you can't argue with the results.
The Heat has changed their identity
The Heat is second in the league in points per game and a top 10 team in net rating. Still showcasing characteristics of a good defensive team, the team's fast-paced offense has completely altered the way the Heat operates.
The changes have been pretty evident on the offensive end of the floor. At the core of it, the Heat has eliminated almost all pick-and-roll action and has greatly limited their overall screen actions. Instead of being a team that relies on screens, the Heat has shifted toward a more pace and space offense.
That involves heavy cutting, driving, kick outs, and, perhaps most importantly, a lot of player and ball movement.
Miami still needs to prove that this offense can withstand the burden of a full NBA season, and then that it can be successful in the postseason (when the game naturally slows down), but if it does, it wouldn't be the least surprising if we see many teams across the league (especially those struggling on the offensive end of the floor), adopt some of these characteristics.
Whether they have the players to find success with these new philosophies remains to be seen, but the NBA is a copycat league. And if one franchise finds success in doing things one way, odds are that a few others are going to try and jump on that bandwagon.
A big part of the reason why this offense works for the Heat is that they have the personnel to run it. Even though the Heat doesn't necessarily have the elite stars that garner the headlines across the league, they are one of the deepest teams.
In order to play at the pace the Heat operates, depth is almost a necessity. That's one of the big strengths for this Heat team.
As Miami continues to be one of the best stories in the league this season, the copycats are almost certainly coming. It's just something that comes with the territory, and one scenario that Spo (and the rest of this coaching staff) needs to be prepared for.