The HEAT just missed the playoffs last year and only Udonis Haslem remains from the Big 3 era. Things are much different now. There is nothing particularly sexy about this guard and wing heavy roster and that means the national media isn’t really paying attention to the Miami HEAT, but perhaps they should. They HEAT moved to a record of 2-1 with a dominating victory over the Atlanta Hawks without their best defensive player Hassan Whiteside, who was out with a knee injury.
The HEAT slashed, passed, and splashed their way to an early 21 point lead, and really was never in danger of losing to a feisty Hawks squad. The addition of Kelly Olynyk had some people scratching their heads after his 4 year $50 million deal, but his style of plays is paying immediate dividends with the HEAT’s read and react offense.
The addition of Olynyk gives the HEAT a more versatile front court with Olynyk functioning as both a stretch big, primary ball handler and facilitator.
It’s a dimension that the HEAT lacked throughout last season that could have buoyed the HEAT during times when teams loaded up on Whiteside in the paint. With Olynyk in the fold and the majority of last year’s 30-11 roster now accustomed to the Spoelstra’s offensive system, the HEAT have a chance to become a dark-horse contender as the season moves forward.
In the Western conference, Big 3’s have formed on every other team it seems, thanks to the blueprint the HEAT created seven years ago. Ironically, the 2017-18 HEAT are showing signs that they can contend in the Eastern Conference using a traditional five man team structure. Injuries have always been a road block to long-term success in the NBA, but this iteration of the Miami HEAT is equipped to withstand those tough periods better than last year’s team.
The HEAT are currently 3rd in assists, 3rd in blocks and 7th in 3s made in the young season, and a continuation of these trends will be the reason people will eventually begin to take notice. Defense, ball movement and 3-point shooting will be the identity of this team, much like HEAT teams from the past, but the difference is that there will be a different star player every night. It’s a formula that can work in a weaker Eastern Conference, and as the HEAT start to rack up Ws, everyone will take notice. They took a step towards that tonight by beating a team they should have at home, in a game they would have lost and did lose on several occasions last season.
Flip the page for post game video of Kelly Olynyk talking about the HEAT culture and their chances this year.