Before their inconsistent start to the season on the defensive end, Bam Adebayo came out and said the goal is for the Heat to be the "No. 1 defense" in the league. And while the Heat focusing on their defense isn't anything new, this would actually be a significant development.
Even more so with the way they looked in the season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Consider the Heat last season: a high-flying offensive team that had some historically bad defensive moments at times. The Heat were second in points per game, but were 22nd in opponent points per game. This is an anomaly for the Heat, which, for all of their other seasons in the 2020s, have had pretty average offenses mixed with elite defenses.
The Heat's defensive potential is through the roof with Giannis and Bam
Of course, the Heat knew this and went into this offseason looking to right the ship on defense, even if that meant making the potential offensive fit a little dicey. This meant getting rid of some of the Heat's best offensive players (and defensive liabilities), Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, and replacing them with one of the greatest defenders in NBA history.
Before we get into what needs to be changed, there were some defensive positives last season. The team was fourth in rebounding and ninth in offensive field goal percentage. The issue on defense most of the time was that the Heat played so fast on offense that even if percentages weren't sky-high, teams could just get up more shots.
Funny enough, the team was actually good at not giving up fast-break points despite their fast pace, so that goes back to the positives category as well.
Why the Heat could still have the No. 1 defense in the NBA
Now, to this season. What's in the Heat's favor in having the top defense is that they finally have the personnel to do it. Four of the Heat's five starters, no matter what they may have shown in the opener, have the potential to be very good to elite on that end of the floor. The other starter is Klay Thompson, who has been a good defender in the past. With diminished expectations on defense and a much stronger supporting cast than he had in Dallas, he should be able to be at least average.
When the team is healthy, Klay will not have to guard the best player on the opposing team every possession, or even the second, third, or fourth. That's what makes the lineup so dangerous: there isn't really a weak spot or a guy that you can just go after on every possession.
More importantly, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam are both switchable onto anyone. While many fans pretend that their favorite defenders are able to switch 1-5, Giannis and Bam have done it for a very long time. And the Heat's strong rebounding from last year should only improve with Giannis in the fold, as he's been a double-digit per game rebounder nearly every year of his career.
If Giannis and Bam stay healthy, a No. 1 defense is 100 percent in the cards for the Heat. Health is the only thing stopping the Heat's defense this season. Oh, and I suppose a repeat of their effort and performance on opening night.
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