After Jimmy Butler’s departure at last season’s trade deadline, the Miami Heat must find their new identity. The team ddressed their biggest weakness this offseason by adding a few scorers. After the decline in guard play last season outside of Tyler Herro’s breakout campaign, the team drafted Illinois guard Kaspraras Jakucionis and traded for veteran Norman Powell from the Los Angeles Clippers. While those additions look to help Miami establish a new backcourt identity, there are still concerns as the season begins this week.
Bleacher Report released an article, determining the biggest questions for every NBA team before the beginning of the regular season. The Heat’s question: Who’s going to create offense?
“Should we add Miami fielding a bottom-third offense to the list of life's certainties next to death and taxes,” the article asked. “OK, that's overstating things, but here's where the Heat have finished the past three seasons in offensive efficiency: 25th, 21st and 21st. And, remember, this three-year stretch featured three playoff berths and three series wins, because Erik Spoelstra is a mastermind, and Playoff Jimmy was him. Even without Jimmy Butler now, Miami could conceivably capitalize on a wide-open East by fielding even an average offense. But how is that supposed to happen? Shot-creation was already a question mark before Tyler Herro had surgery on his left foot in September.”
Herro’s projected month-long absence will be the biggest obstacle for this team to overcome. Miami has a plethora of young talent. Jaime Jaquez Jr. had a phenomenal rookie season but disappointed last year. Could he see a resurgence? Nikola Jovic was just extended by the franchise with a four-year deal. Could he break out in the way the front office believes? Terry Rozier was once viewed as a big trade acquisition. Can he turn back the clock and deliver consistent shooting production? All of these smaller questions play into the general offensive concerns.
“Bam Adebayo is in a two-year scoring decline,” the article added. “Norman Powell faces plenty of sustainability questions following an age-31 breakout, and he's a play-finisher, not a creator. Nikola Jović has had trouble staying on the floor (and, at times, in the rotation). Rookie Kasparas Jakučionis may not be ready. So, it might be another round of nightly searches for scoring chances.”
Miami is projected as a mid-level team in the Eastern Conference this season. Only time will tell if the offense improved when the Heat’s season begins on Wed. against the Orlando Magic.