Bill Simmons doubts the Miami Heat's defensive identity following the blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo acquisition, but a roster anchored by elite stoppers suggests they are poised for an Eastern Conference takeover.
MIAMI, Fla. – As the 2026-27 NBA season approaches, Bill Simons shared a horrendous take on the Miami Heat on his podcast, along with former ESPN analyst Zach Lowe.
“I was like, ‘I don’t really like what you did this summer other than getting Giannis,’” he said. “I’m not scared of Miami at all. Nobody has been able to explain to me how Bam Adebayo and Giannis are going to successfully play offense together. Who’s playing defense on this team? Welcome to the Play-In.”
Out of all the questions to potentially be asked, Simmons arguably took the conversation down the worst route. Even with a less-talented roster, the Heat hardly have concerns on the defensive side of the court. It’s among the franchise’s top values since President Pat Riley arrived in South Florida in 1995.
When looking at the current roster, defense shouldn’t be a concern.
For starters, Antetokounmpo has received five All-Defensive selections, including four First Teams, and was voted Defensive Player of the Year in the 2019-20 season. In 13 years in the league, he went eight out of nine seasons averaging over a steal and a block. Antetokounmpo’s 6-11 and 243-pound frame gives opponents a difficult challenge to score at the rim.
Adebayo is one of the most respected defenders in the league. The three-time All-Star received five All-Defensive selections, including First Team in the 2023-24 season. Adebayo has finished in the top 10 of Defensive Player of the Year voting in six of the last seven years. He’s one of the few star defenders who can naturally cover all five positions on all levels, from the perimeter to the rim.
Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Bobby Portis Jr., and Pelle Larsson are other prolific defenders.
Simmons went as far as to ask, ‘Who’s guarding Jayson Tatum?’ He must’ve forgotten that the Heat have someone successful with that task. In the 2022 NBA Finals, as a member of the Golden State Warriors, Wiggins held Tatum to 37.5 percent shooting (21 of 56) from the field and forced eight turnovers, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.
Tatum played in just 16 games (all starts) last season since returning from a right Achilles Tendon injury. The 28-year-old is facing pressure to return to full superstardom form as the Boston Celtics traded former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Paul Georgie; other assets were included in the blockbuster package.
Before the season tips off, the Heat arguably have one of the strongest cases to win the Eastern Conference. Defense won’t be what holds them back from championship expectations. Simmons could come back to this moment later in the season and own up to what he said. It would be foolish to dodge it.
Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes and Miami Heat for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
