MIAMI — Trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo changes everything for Miami. The franchise is officially moving on from the ‘run-it-back’ era and stepping straight into a brand-new title push. With media day set for Monday, September 28, and Heat training camp tipping off on Tuesday, September 29, head coach Erik Spoelstra has work to do. Looking at the top Heat training camp storylines shows how Miami plans to blend its new star duo and solve key rotation questions before opening night.
Building team chemistry from the ground up
Miami brought in six new players this summer, meaning nearly 43 percent of the roster is completely new. With media day on September 28 and Heat training camp practices starting September 29, Spoelstra has only four days to get his group working together before it’s first ‘test’. The team plays its first preseason game against the Toronto Raptors in Quebec City on Saturday, October 3. How fast these players learn to communicate on the floor is one of the most urgent Heat training camp storylines.
Double trouble in the paint with Giannis and Bam Adebayo
Pairing Giannis Antetokounmpo with Bam Adebayo gives Miami one of the most athletic frontcourts in the entire league. Both stars know how to fight for extra possessions near the rim. Last season, Giannis Antetokounmpo pulled down two offensive rebounds per game, and Bam Adebayo matched that by averaging two offensive rebounds per game as well. Miami was already a top-10 rebounding team last year, and adding Antetokounmpo makes them even harder to block out.
To make this pairing click, Adebayo must keep knocking down outside shots so defenders cannot pack the paint. Starting point guard Davion Mitchell also needs to keep the offense moving smoothly. Knowing how much Spoelstra is a basketball sicko, he probably spent his summer redesigning simple plays, like Horns pick-and-pops and Spain pick-and-rolls, that take advantage of the defensive focus on Giannis Antetokounmpo to open up easy drives and passes for Bam Adebayo.
Last season, Miami barely ran PnRs last season, instead creating three-point looks off kick outs or finding the trailing shooter in transition. Expect a mixture of both play types in camp scrimmages. Expect Spoelstra to also stagger Antetokounmpo and Adebayo across substitution patterns, guaranteeing that at least one big stays on the floor at all times.
Young hustle or elite shooting at the 2 spot
The starting shooting guard spot comes down to two very different options. Second-year guard Pelle Larsson brings relentless hustle and perimeter defense. Even though he shot just 32.8 percent from three-point range as a rookie in Miami, his defensive tenacity gives Miami another point-of-attack defender alongside Mitchell in the backcourt. He also started 54 of the 70 games he played last season so there’s familiarity with the role.
On the other side, four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson remains one of the premier three-point shooters in basketball, even after starting only eight games last season. Thompson’s ability to pull defenders away from the basket opens up wide driving lanes for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, and Andrew Wiggins. Choosing between Larsson’s defense and connective passing, and Thompson’s shooting is one of the most interesting Heat training camp storylines.
Relying on young guards to run the bench
With so many new players, Miami needs reliable ball-handling behind Mitchell. Spoelstra will count on unproven guard options to keep the offense flowing when the starters rest on the bench.
Larsson showed good passing instincts with a 16.8 percent assist rate during his rookie season, while Dru Smith posted a 20.0 percent assist rate in his secondary minutes. During Heat training camp scrimmages, both guards must prove they can run half-court sets without giving up costly turnovers. Larsson inked a four-year, $60 million extension this summer that kicks in next summer, so there’s a lot of pressure on him to justify that amount.
Lock-down perimeter defense and Dru Smith pushing for a role
Miami’s defense will depend on the pressure Mitchell and Wiggins can apply at the top of the key. Their ability to fight over screens and harass ball-handlers will allow Miami to force turnovers and unleash Antetokounmpo in the open court.
Dru also makes a strong case to earn real minutes in the rotation. Smith put up an impressive 4.1 percent steal rate last season, leading the team by a wide margin. He also recorded a 3.6 Defensive Box Plus-Minus, which was the highest mark among all Miami players on a standard contract despite playing the sixth-fewest total minutes. If Smith brings that same defensive spark to Heat training camp scrimmages, Spoelstra will have no choice but to find minutes for him.
Final takeaway for Heat training camp storylines
Working through these storylines will reveal whether Spoelstra can quickly turn this talented group into an Eastern Conference powerhouse.
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