The Miami Heat are off to an unexpected 12-6 start to the season, with coach Erik Spoelstra being praised for changing the team’s offense. Spoelstra was primarily known for having a half-court offense, but that all changed this season.
Before the Heat outlasted the Dallas Mavericks 106-102 on Monday, Spoelstra was asked by a reporter why he decided to overhaul the team’s entire offense. For the two-time NBA champion coach, it was all about embracing their current roster and using what suits their strengths.
However, the main trigger was an embarrassing 55-point loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of their first-round series, wherein they got swept.
“It’s the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever been a part of. The locker room felt the same way, and we had plenty of time to re-evaluate things during the offseason… We had plenty of time to work on things. And then we just wanted to be open-minded. The first day of camp, I said I would just want to embrace the unknown, and I viewed that as a good thing,” Spoelstra said.
The new offense has done wonders for the Heat this season. They are sitting third in the Eastern Conference standings and are on a five-game winning streak. They have also won eight out of their last 10 games.
What is the Heat’s New Offense?
There’s no denying that Erik Spoelstra is one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. He has been in charge of the Miami Heat since 2008 and has led the franchise to two NBA championships in six NBA Finals appearances.
Spoelstra was primarily known for having a half-court offense, which usually has a lot of sets and not enough pace. That completely changed this season, with the Heat being the fastest-paced offense in the league. They are also the highest-scoring team, averaging 123.9 points per game. They are ahead of offensive juggernauts like the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets.
Here’s how Austin Dobbins of Sports Illustrated summarized Spoelstra’s new offense:
“The Miami Heat’s new look offense is focused on isolations, trust, pace, and confidence in not only yourself, but those around you. Miami is playing the brightest brand of team basketball where everyone can showcase their game. Get a matchup you like, take it to the hole, and kick it to the open man. Everyone is moving, everyone is working, and everyone trusts each other.”
The result? Nine players are averaging in double figures this season, including Tyler Herro, who dropped 24 points in his season debut against the Dallas Mavericks. Nikola Jovic is averaging 8.8 points per game, so the overall figure could jump once he’s healthy and back on the court.
Spoelstra Has Never Won Coach of the Year
With nearly 800 wins in the regular season and two NBA championships to his name, Erik Spoelstra is one of the greatest coaches in history. However, he has never won the Coach of the Year award in his career.
Spoelstra has finished in the Top 5 of voting four times and was runner-up in 2013 to George Karl and in 2017 to Mike D’Antoni, as per Basketball Reference. If the Heat can finish in a good spot this season, he could have a chance to win his first Coach of the Year award.
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