The Miami Heat's season hasn't even begun, but the coaching staff is already having to deal with a pretty big loss. Longtime Heat shooting coach Rob Fodor has left Miami's coaching staff to join Dusty May and the Dallas Mavericks.
Even though Fodor isn't necessarily a name that most Heat fans will know, this is one of those moves that could have a huge impact on the team's developmental program. Tabbed as a "mad scientist" when it comes to shooting, Fodor is credited with having a huge influence on the development of Duncan Robinson, one of the Heat's best examples of their developmental system.
It's also safe to say that Fodor played a role in the breakout and improvement of many shooters in Miami. A few recent names that come to mind, in addition to Robinson, are Max Strus, Caleb Martin, and Gabe Vincent. Each of these players experienced a stark improvement in 3-point shooting during their time in Miami with Fodor.
It's difficult to give Fodor all the credit for each of those players' improvements over the years, but there's no question that he has a proven track record with the team. And it'd be pretty outlandish to say he didn't at least have a small impact on the Heat's developmental system.
What will the impact be on the Heat's coaching staff?
Without knowing the specifics of this move, it is pretty crazy to think that the Heat is losing one of their shooting coaches just before a season in which many have pinpointed their biggest issue as shooting.
I'm sure the Heat have known about this for a while now, and certainly have a plan in place, but this is far from an ideal circumstance.
As much as Heat fans should be excited about the upcoming season with Giannis Antetokounmpo, you can't help but wonder what type of impact this change could have on the team. Again, without being inside that locker room, it's difficult to say how big of an impact the loss of Fodor will have on the team.
But it won't stop the speculation.
This is one of those losses that may not be felt right away for the Heat, but one that has more of a lasting impact. Especially if the Heat doesn't have a capable replacement waiting in the wings.
If nothing else, this is just another underlying storyline to keep a close eye on heading into this first season of the Giannis era in Miami.
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