Tag Archive for: Miami Heat

The Importance of Elbow Touches in Heat Offensive Scheming

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When a team doesn’t have a true play-making point guard to run the show offensively, there’s always a slight change of pace in terms of the way they trigger actions. Luckily for the Miami Heat, a young play-making big like Bam Adebayo makes the game-plan pretty clear heading into a season.

There’s two ways that he has been highly effective as a passer within the team’s offensive sets: 1) Creating on the move following the roll on the screen and 2) Setting up on the elbow.

Adebayo really began to take some major offensive leaps when his shooting reluctancy faded slightly and grew comfortable with taking shots in the mid-range area. That led to a very high frequency of elbow touches for him this past season.

Kyle Lowry being added to this roster definitely takes away some play-making duties from Adebayo in those spots, but it definitely doesn’t change his overall usage in that area.

Why not look back at Adebayo’s scoring masterclass, putting up 41 points against the Brooklyn Nets in a multitude of ways. He wasn’t doing it in ways that most bigs acquire 40 points in this league. He was doing it like a skilled perimeter player.

Facing up at the elbow and flying in plenty of different directions. Jab steps immediately into a jumper, swiping through for clear paths to the rim, and shot creating in ways we truly hadn’t seen up to that point.

Those are the elbow touches many want to see from Adebayo. He no longer has the pressure to play-make over the top of the defense for simple sprays or back-cuts, even though he will still sprinkle that stuff in due to his unselfish mentality.

But it’s now about opening up the scoring role from that spot in true Barclays Center fashion.

It’s not even just about him putting the ball in the basket, since it’s much more about the big picture effectiveness of a Heat offense. As stated in the past, we’re going to see a lot more diversity in this motion offense with the new weapons added to the roster. So, it’s up to him to maximize the spacing in that environment.

If he can add any bit of stress to help defenders when he stations himself at the elbow or free throw line, that’s an automatic win for the Heat. Once he builds the scouting report for teams to double him in that area so he can’t iso bigs inside the arc, the play-making opens right back up, which is the ultimate goal.

It shouldn’t be picking times to play-make and picking times to score. It just has to be natural. And if the surrounding spacers can do their job consistently, I have no doubt that Adebayo will flow much more naturally with those elbow touches next season.

Now, when talking about offense being run through the elbow, this isn’t just an Adebayo topic, even though it’s necessary to start there. A bunch of different players can benefit from this, and it begins with Kyle Lowry.

Looking at the play above, this is something Toronto did a lot of last season, using Lowry in more than one way in this specific action. Fred VanVleet inserts the ball to Lowry in a high post position, which sometimes will be a bit lower on the floor, before sprinting into a pin-down for a good look from three.

When seeing this, I bet many of you are picturing Duncan Robinson in that spot. But well, I’m not sure I agree exactly.

Robinson is a unique player in terms of the way he is guarded. As we saw last years, simple pin-downs just aren’t really going to work for him anymore with the amount of attention that he gets on a regular basic.

Tyler Herro, on the other hand, fits this set perfectly.

The Lowry-Herro back-court is an interesting one when projecting forward, due to the fact Lowry can enhance the one skill of Herro’s that he struggled with this past-season: spot-up threes.

Inserting him into these sets allow him to get good catch and shoot looks early on, which may be one of the most important stat-line improvements for this Heat team to have success. Combining Lowry’s wide frame and passing ability in these spots of the floor is very intriguing from a game-planning perspective.

Now, as mentioned previously, they’re going to shift Lowry around a bit. He’s an incredible player off the ball as a spot-up shooter and decoy, meaning these pin-downs can be the set up for him above the break. And well, it isn’t the worst thing in the world to put Jimmy Butler in high post positioning for play-making.

His downhill gravity when facing up always attracts those corner defenders. So if they jump that pin-down action, it means plenty of open space to navigate as an attacker, or potential lob pass to the roller off that initial screen.

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Working things through the elbow will mostly be seen in a similar way next season, except it’ll be used completely different. The mind-set and go-to moves in that spot will be changing for each player who fills up that area of the floor.

And once again, all of these pieces on the Heat’s offensive scheming come back to the same point: the effectiveness will largely ride on the shooting of their corner spacers. If this team makes defenses pay on open corner sprays, it changes the entire offensive dynamic in both the regular season and post-season.

 

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Diving into Heat’s Usage of Double Drag Ball Screens

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Erik Spoelstra and the Miami Heat are known for being pretty creative offensively, especially when the post-season comes around to surprise opposing teams’ defensive scheming.

Another thing to note about the actions they base things around is that they aren’t afraid to take chances. Just look back at the sharpshooting undrafted player, Duncan Robinson, who immediately transformed the way the offense was being ran.

If Spoelstra and company can do that with limited resources, it just makes you think about the creative scheming that will occur this upcoming season with plenty of versatile players who carry different strengths.

So, in this new series, I will be diving into a different offensive set every single day, highlighting the reasons it can be so effective and which players will be utilized within it.

We’re going to be starting out with a personal favorite, double drag, due to the fact it maximizes the skill-sets of the current squad. A high-level catch and shoot guy, multiple facilitators to run the set, corner spacers, and a dynamic and athletic roller.

We’ve seen it with this team in past years, but there’s no doubt in my mind the frequency of it will increase majorly next season. So let’s take a look into why it should be used exactly….

As you’ve seen with Miami in recent years, there’s not one way to run double drag in terms of spacing. They’ve always pretty much had diversity in play set-up, but there was never any diversity in who was running it.

Looking at the clip above, we see Goran Dragic setting up the action with Duncan Robinson about to pop out and Bam Adebayo ready to roll. But when dissecting these plays, the effectiveness is always about the players outside of the action.

With this specific spacing, Dragic is flowing into the side of the floor that Kendrick Nunn and Kelly Olynyk are setting up shop, meaning the options are either a lob to Adebayo or a corner kick-out.

And well, everything revolves around that corner shooter.

We’ve seen these type of sets being run in the past with Andre Iguodala waiting in the corner, but that was pretty much a signal for the defender to become a premium tagger, daring the ball-handler to make that kick-out.

Even with Olynyk on this play, there’s a little more reluctancy. He recovers late for the contest and Olynyk buries it, which is why a lot of this will revolve around the corner shooting of PJ Tucker.

If that corner triple is falling for him consistently throughout the season, this action will be pretty close to unstoppable for opposing defenses due to their being zero weaknesses in the specific positioning.

Now, it’s not always about the ball-handler flowing into the two shooters, since positioning can always be flipped. Take a look at this screen-shot above, and you can pretty much tell why I don’t love this type of spacing for Miami.

Butler would flow into an empty corner with the hope a 2 on 1 will be forced with him and Adebayo, but that just isn’t likely. Layers were added to this play, ending in an eventual Robinson three, but the point is that baseline defender can cheat over as the other weak-side defender slides down.

Basically, it doesn’t maximize this team’s skill-set as much. If they had a speedy guard who can turn the corner with some explosiveness, that’s a different story. But they have two ball-handlers, in Butler and Kyle Lowry, who just want time to dissect defenses instead of getting out in front.

Before looking into another form of double drag above, it should be mentioned the different ways players can be utilized.

Of course Robinson will exclusively be a popper in this set, but there’s ways to mix him around a bit. Putting him in the action pulls defenders away when he slips the screen, but allowing him to sit in the corner will do wonders as well.

Allow the team’s three best players to navigate the defense, while Robinson sits in the corner daring his man to duck down even in the slightest fashion. We all know Robinson is Erik Spoelstra’s weapon, which is a main reason this action makes so much sense at a higher frequency level.

Now, the addition of Lowry makes things much more interesting. Butler and Lowry can switch off being the ball-handler in this set, and there’s a case to be made for both of them.

Using Butler as the ball-handler means that Lowry can be used as a popper/corner spacer, which definitely makes the most sense. If you’re sticking Butler in the corner, the free-lance tagging begins to occur which makes things quite pointless.

With that said, Lowry feels like the guy who will be running it more in the big picture. It’s the perfect go-to when Butler takes a quick breather, and allows Lowry to play to his strengths for possible above the break pull-up threes or simple lobs.

Anyway, back to the original clip above, it’s once again a bit different than the last. Instead of packing one side of the floor, they put one player in each corner, which is a sign that they’re confident in that open corner three.

The corner kick-out is usually the end result if the defense doesn’t have a miscue, but as seen above, that’s exactly what happens. LeBron James makes sure to communicate he’s staying on Robinson, which is most team’s main focus, but the other two defenders go to Butler. Olynyk slips, Butler feeds, and it ends in 2 points.

The original point of double drag ball screens are early offense. It’s kind of the initial call when flowing down the floor, waiting for this type of miscommunication to occur. But could we see it go from early offense to late-game offense?

Absolutely.

While it’s used mostly in the first half of the shot-clock, it may be a go-to down the stretch of games this season.

And after Miami has had some trouble recently with their back against the shot-clock, early offense will be key for them, which will be a big part of Lowry’s job to begin the season. He may be a veteran, but he plays at a fast pace.

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Adding a point guard wasn’t just to set up specific players on the perimeter or alley-oops to Adebayo. It was to take control of offense in this way so Butler doesn’t constantly have to.

Since I’ve continued to bring up the point about “adding layers” to these things in a Heat offense, here’s a glimpse of how that could look.

A lot of times in this action, the initial double drag can be used as a distraction for the off-ball movement that’s being set-up on the weak-side. In the clip above, this is an example why they may not always put Robinson in the screening role.

After Reggie Jackson goes through the two screens, Kawhi Leonard is setting a pin-down for Paul George to fly off of. In this case, Robinson would be playing the George role.

And well, that probably would’ve been more than enough room for him to fire for a good look. But aside from that, this is why the Heat will need that one-dribble pull-up option from Robinson. When defenders are running at full speed for the expected movement shot from deep, that simple combo changes the game for these type of layers.

This is also stuff I see them running for Herro, due to the fact it could get him flowing downhill without needing an on-ball screen. Giving him the reigns to the bench unit is one thing, but giving him actions that he’s comfortable in will be even better for him, which will consist of him running double drag screens as the ball-handler as well with the reserves.

I could go on all day about the different things they can, or will, add on to this, but you probably get the idea: offensive weapons = very good things.

It’s not the easiest thing in the world to run a high-level motion offense without a true point guard, but that hole has finally been filled. And now, Spoelstra can open up the play-book exactly the way he likes to.

 

Everything Tradeshows is a one-stop-shop for trade show exhibit rentals and custom exhibit display purchase solutions to companies of all sizes.

Visit them at EverythingTradeShows or call 954-791-8882

How Will Gabe Vincent Benefit from his New Rotational Role?

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Before free agency even truly began for the Miami Heat this off-season, two things were clear in my eyes in terms of guard play: a starting point guard would be added, and Gabe Vincent would be bumped up to back-up PG.

As Miami continued to fill the holes on the roster, it was pretty obvious that a role was opening for the guy who just received a regular contract following his two-way year. The unique thing about being a two-way player this last season was that it was basically a “one-way.” There was no G-League, and he was needed on the regular roster.

It was known that Coach Erik Spoelstra trusted him greatly out the gate. Some contract tracing issues led to games with eight available players, meaning Vincent was the starting point guard for certain stretches. And well, the way he was originally perceived quickly flipped.

When he originally got a chance with Miami two years ago, many felt like Vincent was strictly a spot-up shooter, who would fly off screens and not put the ball on the floor much. Yet, his role ended up being the exact opposite.

After playing as an off-ball guy for most of his life, he was asked to quickly transition into facilitating mode for their offense. But as time continued, a realization occurred that offense may not even be his best side of the ball.

When defensive issues were at its peak, the Heat went to plenty of 2-3 zone, which usually meant a 2-2-1 press. And to give it a nickname, the 2-2-1 press could’ve been called “Vincent minutes” this past season, due to the fact it was only used when he was in there pressuring the ball.

But heading into this season, he’s no longer the two-way wild card or an all-around spark. He’s a rotational piece who will be relied upon in crucial moments, so let’s hop right into some of the film of how some things will look in his role, as well as certain lineup combinations…

Immediate Off the Catch Production

Like I said previously, Vincent came into this league as an off-ball player with his ability to shoot off the catch. And although that slightly changed for him this past year, it feels like he will shift back into that role much more frequently.

One reason for that is his projected back-court pairing, Tyler Herro, since it seems he will get plenty of touches off the bench, which I’ll dive much deeper into down the line.

The other reason that role wasn’t very fitting this past year was due to his struggles from beyond the arc. He finished the season shooting 31% from three, and part of that was a developing jumper behind the scenes.

When he spoke with media after the season, he mentioned that he began to alter his jumper mid-season to maximize both consistency and range. And now with a full off-season, including plenty of reps with Team Nigeria, that jumper should be as comfortable as ever heading into the season.

Some players on the roster will have a changing offensive focus this year, but Vincent’s will be really simple in terms of being effective in the offense: knocking down the open triple. If he can provide high level shooting off the catch on that bench unit, it helps Miami’s initiators like Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler tremendously.

As seen in the clip above, we’ve seen him time and time again being the guy who plays off the strong side action. It is known that he can take advantage of defenses in those spots as well, but it just comes down to the overall consistency he brings in that space to begin the year.

Two-Way Contracts to Two-Man Sets

Vincent and Max Strus aren’t the first undrafted guys in the Heat system to propel onto the scene into true production in the rotation. There’s been a theme of certain groupings doing it together, like Duncan Robinson and Kendrick Nunn, which is exactly where Strus and Vincent will fall.

After Nunn and Robinson played well in Summer League, it felt like the two always shared the court together when the season began. There was a known chemistry there, and the coaching staff was testing the young guys. Obviously, the new situation is a bit different.

For one, Vincent and Strus won’t be jumping into the starting lineup like the other two did. And secondly, this won’t be as much of a surprise when they get a true role on the team. This isn’t a trial thing for Miami, since they’ve developed them in real NBA games for quite some time now.

Now, the two of them will be a big part of the benches scoring outlets. As much as Vincent will benefit off the ball at times, there’s no doubt he will have the ball in his hands quite a bit with Strus running off screens, Markieff Morris spacing the floor, and Dewayne Dedmon going through the usual screen and rolls.

Getting Strus going from deep will be important in terms of Vincent’s facilitating skills, but it all falls back to previous points. In the two clips above, there’s a mutual outcome between both plays: the spacing between Vincent and Strus.

When skip passes aren’t being involved and it’s just natural swings or base pin-downs, Vincent will have to make his defender afraid to leave him. If he can become a respectable deep ball threat, it leads to defensive reluctancy which eliminates those easy doubles or switches onto shooters.

They found a solution to that problem with Robinson, but he was surrounded by starters. In this situation, it feels like Vincent and Strus will be working off each other more than expected, since they’re both responsible for the other getting good looks.

A Chance to Navigate in Space

We all know that numbers don’t always tell the full story. Vincent obviously wasn’t consistently taking advantage of the wide open threes either, but a lot of it had to do with circumstance and spacing.

When I say circumstance, I mean the Vincent card was always used when the team was in a bad spot. Starters going down due to injury or contact tracing, Vincent was then asked to fill some big shoes.

The team needed some bench production from him, along with other guys at the bottom of the roster, he was forced to be the creator. And well, that task is far from easy.

Looking at the clip above, let’s take a look at the lineup on the floor for Miami. They have floor spacers in Herro and Robinson lined up on the weak-side, while Precious Achiuwa and KZ Okpala are filling up the lane for their defenders to essentially collapse on the ball-handler, which in this case was Vincent.

These lineups were one of the main reasons half-court offense was problematic at times. Vincent is forced into taking a very tough baseline step-back, which he somehow finds a way to bury it. Although this ended in a make, you don’t want to put this type of burden on Vincent.

He is at his best when he’s able to flow in the offense with true spacing around him, and up to this point, he hasn’t been given any open floor in the half-court with these type of reps.

But when running with Herro, Strus, and Morris in that bench unit, he won’t have the same problems, which truly makes me confident in his offensive usage.

A Big Man Adjustment Period

This should quickly be touched on since I don’t think it’ll be a big deal in the long-term. When I say that Vincent is better when offense is flowing, part of that means running pick and rolls, which forces 2 on 1’s by the rim.

He loves throwing that lob pass to rolling, athletic bigs in Adebayo or Achiuwa, but there will be a shifting big man combo. Vincent will be seeing quite a few minutes with veteran big man Dewayne Dedmon, which is a change in pace for a pick and roll ball-handler.

The reason I don’t think it’ll be a big deal is due to the fact that adjustment period won’t last long, but it is something to monitor. While it may be one less weapon for the young guards in that sense, it’s a positive thing from every other window you look through.

The bench back-court is going to be very inexperienced this season, and as we saw down the stretch this past year, Dedmon can grab a hold on specific lineups just through his veteran leadership.

Vincent and Herro may be losing an option in PnR sets from the rolling big, but it’s clear they are gaining much more from it.

The Tyler Herro Factor = Balancing Reps

And finally, the combination with Tyler Herro. The Miami Heat basically opened up a clear path for the role of Herro heading into the season, which will be a straight bucket getter off the bench when the team needs it.

As I’ve said in the past, although he will have the ball in his hands a ton, more spot-up opportunities will be mixed in. He struggled in that area this past season, and I would believe that’s an area of focus in off-season training. So, if he’s going to try and create space off the ball at times, who will have the burden of feeding him?

Well, I think we know the guy.

One surprise to Vincent’s facilitating development was smart perimeter passing. He can read the floor well, meaning he watches off-ball actions to await the perfect time to throw that lead pass for the movement shooter, which also refers back to my points about his combination with Strus.

But that doesn’t mean the Herro-Vincent duo will be a one-dimensional one.

Looking at the first two clips above, you can see that Herro will be creating for others when initial sets breakdown very frequently. Hence, the quick trigger of Vincent will do wonders.

On the other side of things, though, Vincent’s creation for Herro won’t just be for triples on the outside. As seen in the last two clips, it’s mostly about hitting Herro in stride to get to the basket, which will be one of his many avenues for success.

When I say Herro will play off the catch, this is what I mean as well. Finding ways to get him to the basket, other than an on-ball screen, will be a specific scheme that will be focused on as the season progresses.

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When the new season officially begins, that spot will be waiting for Vincent to fully hold onto. He gets the first shot at it, and I fully believe it’ll be his for good if he can just utilize some of the things mentioned here, which all comes back to three-point shooting.

If that jumper that we’ve seen flashes of a few times in the past shows up to begin the year, the outlook of the team could look a whole lot different.

 

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Miami Heat Giving Bam Adebayo Much Awaited Front-Court Flexibility

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In the NBA, it’s always about finding ways to maximize your team’s young and talented centerpiece. For the Miami Heat, that is Bam Adebayo, and they may have finally found a way to build a specific front-court that enhances his skills.

It should be mentioned that there’s a reason long-term front-court fits are discussed whenever there’s trade possibilities in the off-season. One of the main ways to give Adebayo additional comfort is to give him consistency at the power forward or center position.

But since there weren’t any on the market, they went in another direction, which may be even more fitting in a short term sense.

There’s a certain theme with the guys that have lined up next to Adebayo over the years, and it’s not just about him playing the 4 or the 5. A year ago, he had major success next to a drop big in Meyers Leonard, before transitioning back to the 5 with Jae Crowder slotting into the starting lineup for playoff time.

Fast forward a year to this past season, there was a short period of time with a Moe Harkless trial, leading to the Kelly Olynyk insertion with some sprinkled in starts for Andre Iguodala, before eventually acquiring Trevor Ariza at the deadline.

The point that has been made in the past about Adebayo just needing to be put at the 4 for the team to have success isn’t really a fair statement. It’s not about his position, it’s just consistency.

And looking at that 2 year stretch of players lined up next to him, it’s obvious there was nothing consistent about that. Heading into the 2021-2022 season, none of those guys are on the roster, meaning it’s adjustment time for Adebayo once again.

But this time, in a good way.

PJ Tucker will most likely get the start to begin the year, and although he’s 36 years old, he’s been pretty available over the course of his career. Markieff Morris fits the build of players that fit well next to Adebayo as well, being a floor spacer in the corner who can also occupy space above the break, while bringing true defensive physicality.

Looking down the roster a bit more with two back-up bigs I touched on in my last piece, Dewayne Dedmon and Omer Yurtseven aren’t just Adebayo fillers. It took coach Erik Spoelstra quite some time to reach a certain confidence level with Dedmon-Adebayo minutes, and they weren’t half bad for stretches in that playoff series.

The key element there is that the other three players on the court must be deep threats, meaning no Jimmy Butler in those minutes. Other than that combination, there won’t be shooting questions in the front-court like the past.

Iguodala may have been great down the stretch in many games, and came up big in the bubble, but offensive production always seemed to plummet whenever he shared the floor with Adebayo especially. In the places Adebayo likes to operate, the defender in the corner guarding Iguodala would just help down, basically daring him to kick it out.

It’s just not ideal to manipulate certain lineups when role players don’t fit with the stars.

Omer Yurtseven, on the other hand, will get his shot at some point, and spacing issues won’t be in question. He can screen well, be utilized as a roller/popper, and is versatile enough to be plugged in different spots.

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That is four different players that can be combined with Adebayo in a positive fashion, which is just as good as gaining a young and reliable four. Much like Spoelstra, Adebayo needs fitting weapons around him so there isn’t a constant adjustment period.

And although I highlighted four possible pairings next to him, there’s still one more: Jimmy Butler.

We won’t ever see him playing the four in a regular season game, but if the match-up is right in the post-season, I believe we could see it frequently. It just depends on the health of Victor Oladipo.

When Spo wants to throw all of his weapons on the table in that environment, a lineup of Lowry-Dipo-Robinson-Butler-Adebayo will definitely be a possibility. And although that’s a non-shooting front-court, we already know the effectiveness of those two on the floor together.

The Heat built around Butler in a sense to add his good friend and win-now guys with championship experience, but don’t let that distract you from what they’re opening up for Adebayo.

The flexibility has officially been found, and once he gets enough reps with them in the regular season, we won’t be seeing certain combinations for the first time in a playoff series down 0-3. It’ll already be tested out much sooner, and a rhythm will be formed.

And Adebayo in a rhythm can be a scary sight.

 

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The Roles of Dewayne Dedmon and Omer Yurtseven are Fairly Simple

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The back-up big man slot on the Miami Heat is an interesting discussion to have. The two guys up for the job are polar opposites in terms of experience.

Omer Yurtseven will get his first run at the NBA level following his two-year standard contract, while Dewayne Dedmon will be heading into his 9th NBA season at age 32.

After Dedmon was signed late in the season this past year, he rolled right into the playoffs with fresh legs. And in that first round series against the Milwaukee Bucks, not only was he Miami’s most consistent player, but he was also their most productive.

With that said, there’s no doubt in my mind that Dedmon will be the back-up 5 in the rotation, but that doesn’t mean Yurtseven is kicked out completely. The reason Dedmon was so effective by playoff time was due to the fact that he only played 16 regular season games, meaning an 82 game stretch for next season doesn’t seem one bit possible.

(Enter Omer Yurtseven)

Being the back-up for the back-up is not a bad job to have in your first official season, especially when it’s the Miami Heat. They’re known for their willingness to give extra opportunities for the undrafted projects, since most of them up to this point have exceeded expectations.

But Yurtseven is a bit different from past guys who have gone this route. Why is that? Well, expectations are much more extreme for this young big man. Duncan Robinson, Kendrick Nunn, Max Strus, and many others showed up out of nowhere, leaving many observers of the team a bit surprised when they got extended run.

Now with Yurtseven, it’s almost expected that he’s going to get his shot and shine.

The pure fit with the Heat’s centerpiece Bam Adebayo makes it even easier to picture. A drop big who can protect the rim while Adebayo switches on the perimeter, a lengthier front-court partner for rebounding, and of course, a versatile offensive weapon who can shoot the three and score in the post, which are two of Adebayo’s weaknesses.

So aside from the games that Dedmon sits out, how will Yurtseven get a chance in the rotation?

It’s not a fun thing to talk about, but injuries happen. And on a team that consists of a bunch of veteran players who are much more fitted for the post-season, openings will present themselves.

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PJ Tucker is the expected starting four to begin the year, and he’s known for being an available player in the regular season when looking at his track record. But much like Dedmon, it feels like the regular season games played may decrease slightly at age 36.

(Once again, enter Omer Yurtseven)

When a player in the starting lineup goes down, where does Coach Erik Spoelstra usually look? It’s not as simple as inserting the reserve who usually enters for that player, but instead he brings in a guy that isn’t in the rotation, so it doesn’t mess up chemistry and lineup flow. It’s the reason Gabe Vincent had so many starts this past year.

That’s the Yurtseven role this season.

He’s not going to be the back-up 5 from the jump. He’s definitely not going to be an immediate starter next to Adebayo in the front-court. But I do believe he gets some reps in each of those roles as the season progresses, which is exactly what he needs.

Show some flashes whenever being thrown in there, and stock will rise among the coaching staff. Essentially being the relief pitcher will be his task, and the ability to be plugged in different spots opens things up for him even more.

As stated earlier, the roles of Dedmon and Yurtseven will be simple out the gate. Yurtseven will get a shot and plenty of reps, while Dedmon can be effective and preserve himself for the playoff run.

Yes, this team doesn’t have many guys in that middle ground of ages with the two categories of veterans or youthful inexperience, but this is the one way that type of roster construction can be maximized.

And Spoelstra and crew won’t bat an eye at the thought of giving trust to those type of players through the first 82.

 

Everything Tradeshows is a one-stop-shop for trade show exhibit rentals and custom exhibit display purchase solutions to companies of all sizes.

Visit them at EverythingTradeShows or call 954-791-8882

Heat Check Gaming, like the Heat, had an up and down season

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Heat Check Gaming found itself down late, with three seconds left at end of a third quarter to Mavericks Gaming, during AT&T’s “The Turn”, an important midseason tournament. 

 

With two seconds left, a pass found its way streaking across the court from the left corner; then with one second left, Killeyy, who just rolled his way through traffic to find space at the top of the key, found the ball, and as his player rose and the ball vacated, his players finger tips and the arenas buzzer filled the speakers. 

 

Time expired. 

 

Bang. 

 

An exciting shot, sure, but unfortunately it didn’t do much to help close a gap for HCG, which went on to lose Game One by 10 points. In a way, the sequence actually served as a metaphor for the season – brilliant shining moments, overshadowed by the inconsistency that caused a gap too wide to cross.

The moment did, however, serve as a launching point for Killeyy. 

 

A late season addition, brought on after being released from the Pistons, to merge into the ranks of a squad struggling to find consistency; a squad hovering around .500, that would shine bright in moments and burn dull in others. Killeyy went on to have a tournament career-high that series: 34 points and an impressive shooting split of 86 percent from the field and 89 percent from downtown.

He not only led the charge to close out the first series of the tournament, snatching a round one best out of three victory, but also gave a window to an aspiring Miami-based squad, desperate for any momentum to close out their season. After the buzzer hit double zero on Game 3, the team instantly rose out of their seats and embraced to give their newest member his praise, and rejoiced on finding some identity. 

 

Killeyy recounts the moment to me saying, “It was really special for me to catch fire because not only was it my birthday, but it was our first tournament together. I really wanted to make it far and show how much better of a team we’ve become.”

That moment of camaraderie and happiness, stuck with me.

This squad is only a year removed from leaving the familiarity of their home, which served as a practice arena as well living quarters, to be shuffled into a make-shift gaming pod inside a locker room of the former AAA, back and forth, daily, for practice and to play matches. 

 

They were quarantined and isolated away from even their coach, who would lead his squad from what can only be described as a closet (but with a bathroom of course… it is the home of Pat Riley, after all).

 

It was truly a season of endurance, as trials proceeded them that year.

Because not only did the team need to adapt to their environment shifting, but the world around them as well; being one of the only professional sports leagues to play in the middle of a pandemic, they also lead the charge of being a face for unity. They displayed and dedicated their platform to social reform, as ESPN picked up 2K League coverage and hosted matches live to their audience of subscribers.

Yet, these challenges didn’t rattle the athletes. They adapted, played and finished a season of 2K League, in the midst of turmoil. And when I reflect on that moment back at HCG Headquarters, after beating Mavericks Gaming in The Turn, I saw depth to their joy – depth that might just be steeped in those overcome adversities. 

 

Holistically, I saw a team that is putting together pieces.

The season would end shortly after that on August 19, after the squad failed to clear the second round of a elimination tournament that would of won them a playoff bid. And while it is clear this finality, in what felt like a build to meaningful playoff basketball, was difficult for the squad, it was maybe necessary.  

 

2K league isn’t like most professional sports – while adding pure talent can raise a squad’s ceiling, the real difference is between the ears. The split second commitment to a movement or a dribble, lock players into motion, and every slight shift of a joystick requires layers of anticipation and thought. That complication gets compacted by that decision being able to be anticipated by teammates and acted upon in an equally short time. It requires practice and game time spent together as a unit, to get real repeatable execution. 

 

2K isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon and Derric Franklin (aka Famous Enough) knows this well. 

 

“It takes time” he shouts in a YouTube video where he discusses coaching tier lists. Team-building requires combining an extremely precise mix of unique and meshing skill-sets that then have to learn each other, before then executing precise timing and movement-based actions. 

 

“Slow progression is better than no progression” Derric said and this HCG squad proved that when they can click, they can challenge anyone in the league. And now with another season of experience under their belts, as well as more time removed from the struggles of blazing a path inside the pandemic, the team prepares for a unified push next year. 

 

This time, with a more stable core of talent that is ready to compete again for a 2K championship.

2K League is hosting their first ever All-Star Game and Heat Check Gaming representatives need your help to end up on that stage! Go to https://2kleague.nba.com/players/ to cast your vote!

The Full Bam Adebayo Packet for Next Season

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Once the deal was finalized, sending Kyle Lowry to Miami in exchange for Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa, one guy came to mind when evaluating the Heat’s updated roster: Bam Adebayo.

The point guard-center connection always means a little more than other positions, especially when they’re going to be two of the primary players on the roster. Adebayo hasn’t played next to a true point guard in Miami up to this point, and well, that one position shifts his entire offensive effectiveness.

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A guy that can get him in his spots, put the ball above the rim for an athletic and dynamic finisher, and maximize players around him with his leadership is all Adebayo needs to take that next step.

But before diving immediately into the next leap, we must discuss the things that will be reiterated heading into the new season. So, let’s hop right into the ways that Adebayo will be utilized in the offense next year.

What will carry over into next season?

The Jab Jumper

The consistency in Adebayo’s mid-range jumper was the big leap last season. He would set up shop on the elbow after rolling off the DHO or PnR, and it began to make him a much bigger threat for opposing defenses.

Aside from the previous playoff series against the Bucks where Brook Lopez socially distanced from Adebayo on the elbow, most teams get up in his grill when he turns into face-up position. There are a couple reasons for this, but the first is that is where his play-making is deadliest.

He can make difficult passes over the top, sprint right by off the dribble, or just try and get into shooting motion inside the arc. But the question became: how can he generate both space and rhythm before firing?

Well, that’s where the jab step comes into play.

Not only were his pump-fakes not a true threat when being defended closely, but it just never created any type of reaction in one-on-one situations. The jab step, on the other hand, gets defenders feet moving. And that’s all Adebayo needs before using his undeniable quickness.

Looking at the clips above, you can see exactly what it leads to. The front foot always gets pushed backward, and it gives Adebayo the confidence to let it go without much of a contest. But that’s not even the main thing the jab step does for him.

As mentioned earlier, it’s more about rhythm. Every player has a specific wind up that gets them into their shooting motion. No matter if it’s a normal one-two foot plant around a screen like Duncan Robinson or a shoulder bump in the post like Omer Yurtseven, every single player has that one thing they rely on.

That’s why we see Adebayo use it even when it isn’t necessary. It gets him into a comfortable motion and can lead to good things as the shot clock is expiring. Many things will take leaps this year, but certain things like the jab step just need to “carry over.”

Roll Threat/Lob Threat

The other thing that we’ve seen since Adebayo’s rookie season that will be utilized more than ever before is the lob pass and overall roll usage. This is what makes the Lowry-Adebayo connection so dynamic.

Looking at the clips above, we see Gabe Vincent being the facilitator and creator in these pick and roll sets. And if an off-ball spot-up guy can get Adebayo in his spots in this fashion, just think about the things Lowry can do.

The first clip is a pretty typical top of the key pick and roll before finishing the lob pass, but the second clip is a Lowry-esque possession. Vincent uses the attack to create a switch on the block, before feeding Adebayo down low with the mismatch for the bucket.

This stuff will be simple translation, which is why it’s just about carrying over the basics. Many of these sets will be expanded on as the season goes on, but there’s no doubt in my mind Adebayo will have an immediate pick and roll connection with Lowry, due to both of their overarching strengths.

What needs some improving?

Post Predictability 

When being asked the question about the most necessary addition to Adebayo’s game next season, I would probably start with post play instead of three point shooting. The reason for that is if three-point shooting became a part of his game, it would probably just be from the corner which doesn’t truly move the needle.

If shots are being made from above the break, then that’s a completely different story. Adebayo as a top of the key or wing threat outside the arc changes the entire offense, due to the difference in spacing with the ability to pop out in every base action.

But that just doesn’t seem to be coming at this moment, since other parts of his game are being improved first, such as fully rounding out the mid-range jumper. Post-play, on the other hand, isn’t as much about skill-set expansion as it is comfortability and reps.

There are things that can be taken away from the two clips above, so let’s start with the first one. Doesn’t seem like anything major, since he has a guard down low on the block leading to a double coming from the top of the key. He kicked it out which ended in a Kendrick Nunn bucket.

The issue is that when his back turns to the basket that early, it is known a kick-out is coming. He’s a fantastic passer with his back to the basket, especially when he is able to play-make over the top of guys when he has the height advantage.

If that isn’t adjusted, teams will be very prepared by next season when they see him turn into the post. We saw some flashes with Team USA where he used some spins into base-line jumpers, and clearly, that’s all that is needed.

A go-to move down there when things begin to breakdown on the perimeter for potential kick-outs is the most important development. With a PJ Tucker front-court pairing, they already have their corner spacer, so it’s up to him to diversify the offense to make defensive scheming uncomfortable.

Drifting in Space

Although I’ve discussed the ways Adebayo can score as a roller off the screen, there’s still one more layer to that. One thing he was really good at last season was drifting down into space for easy floaters and push-shots.

Guys like Kendrick Nunn and Tyler Herro love to avoid the screen at times to try and navigate inside the arc in different ways. That initial movement leads to the pick and roll defenders shifting a bit as Adebayo can just search for a dead-spot.

The guard can then dump the ball off to him down low for an easy shot. But what part of that needs to improve?

If that stuff was happening with last season’s roster, imagine the extra space he will have with Lowry in that action. It was highly effective whenever it was used with Jimmy Butler, and the reason for that is his downhill gravity.

Adebayo will be able to get these type of looks, but it will be about making instinctive decisions instead of overthinking his placement after the screen is avoided. The two clips above show him being decisive after the ball begins to flow, and it leads to a rhythm floater.

Once that quickness and comfort is seen below the free throw line without the ball, it’s another minor part of his game that can really help the offensive production, particularly in non-Butler/Lowry minutes.

What offensive actions will we see frequently?

Double Drag Expansion

Now to the actions that can be run around Adebayo next season, this topic is endless. Shooters like Robinson and bigs with guard skill-sets like Adebayo are two guys that are easiest to scheme around. That’s why I’m highlighting the base sets Miami will go to.

I discussed double drag when talking about Butler’s role in my last piece, but Adebayo will be the true winner here. We’ve seen it used in the past, but the issue was that there weren’t as many options across the roster to mix it in.

Next season, the combinations are fluid: Butler as the ball-handler with Lowry popping and Adebayo rolling; Lowry handling, Robinson popping, and Adebayo rolling, etc. But a constant staple will be the three-man combo seen in the clip above.

Butler’s ability to attract eyes when slashing hard is like no other, while we already know the way Robinson and Adebayo are viewed in their respective slots. That leaves Lowry as a possible off-ball corner threat on this play, which makes things even more difficult to guard.

And well, that is the expansion with this action. Things will look pretty similar inside this set, but I believe the frequency increases majorly. Now that they have a starting lineup that fills the holes of this action absolutely perfectly, there’s no reason not to spam it in offensive droughts.

And that will absolutely enhance Adebayo’s effectiveness.

Inverted Pick and Rolls

Lastly, we have another point to be made that was noted when talking about Butler. I have gone on and on about the importance of inverted pick and rolls with Butler and Lowry, due to his high level screening for his size, but Adebayo is the true gem here.

The constant discussion throughout the season was how can Miami find ways to get Adebayo flowing downhill. The first thing that worked was using Robinson’s gravity to get him on the move. They ran some high pick and rolls with him to create 4 on 3’s with Adebayo, but the scheming didn’t stop there.

When Robinson is on the move off the ball, his man stays glued to him and isn’t afraid to grab him to eliminate any space for an advantage. He then began running his man into Adebayo’s defender as a screen, which gave him a wide open lane.

The inverted pick and roll seemed too easy for that duo.

In the second clip above, you see an example of that. Robinson battling through for the pick, a switch is forced, and Adebayo gets to the basket for the tough lay-in. But it shouldn’t have to be a Robinson screen every time.

Looking at the first clip above, the initial set is an empty corner inverted pick and roll with Adebayo and Butler. It puts Butler on the short roll where he thrives, and gets Adebayo a wide open pull-up middy with zero help at the nail.

That’s the expansion. It isn’t just about Adebayo finding ways to get himself and others good looks in the action. It’s about him realizing he essentially is the action.

As Butler responded when I asked him about this topic earlier this season: “He’s damn near unguardable whenever he’s playing like that.” And that’s exactly it. When confidence is high and his abilities are peaking, he frankly can’t be stopped when combining his size and skill-set.

Just watch his 41 point performance against the Brooklyn Nets for further assurance.

 

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How Will Jimmy Butler be Used Following Miami’s Recent Acquisitions?

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Some things are going to change for key Heat players this season considering they added a player of Kyle Lowry’s caliber, as well as some corner spacers in PJ Tucker and Markieff Morris. Even if it doesn’t change things majorly, roles will shift slightly.

To that point, it’ll lead to many of the player’s roles being simplified. Bam Adebayo can expect the ball to find him in comfortable spots on the roll. Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson will get more open looks with the extra rim pressure on the floor. Tucker, Morris, and Dewayne Dedmon won’t have to worry about many breakdowns on the perimeter defensively.

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Everything will be simple. But well, Jimmy Butler will be used all over the place. And that’s exactly how he likes it.

On the defensive end, it’s hard to keep him in one specific spot, since he does so many things really well. Hitting passing lanes is probably his best feature, can defend the post, and can’t truly be broken down one-on-one.

Offensively, the three-ball may not be a consistent shot for him, but he can be placed in every other spot on the floor to be effective as a scorer or facilitator. Much like Lowry, he’s very flexible in terms of where he can be used.

Before I continue to dive deeper and deeper into the specifics of this Heat roster, we can’t move forward too far before establishing the ways Butler will be utilized. So, let’s hop right into the film of how he will bounce off the newest acquisitions…

Defensively, Nobody Benefits More

Lowry changes many things for this team. One of the biggest shifts is that they are adding a point of attack defender who won’t die out on screens, which hugely takes some weight off Adebayo’s shoulders when defending the pick and roll.

But in my opinion, that ability impacts Butler more than anybody else on the team.

We all know what he is capable of on the defensive end, but there’s a reason that he began to hit some strides toward the end of the season on that side of the floor. Trevor Ariza being added mid-way through the year meant Butler didn’t have to defend the opposing team’s best guard in the regular season. And that was huge for his overall impact.

Lowry will be the guy in that spot moving forward, which means Butler will find himself off the ball on the weak-side more often. And I don’t think there’s many things Butler is better at than being a help-side freelancer on defense.

Looking at the play above, this is Jimmy Butler right at home. He takes chances that many players just wouldn’t, due to his confidence in his on-court reads.

Not many players are leaving Anthony Edwards wide open with zero help in sight, but Butler saw an opportunity. Naz Reid has his back to him, leading to a full out sprint from Butler to poke it free and play into transition. When he can be that sneaky helper who can disrupt ball-handlers completely, the team benefits greatly.

After this particular game, I asked Butler about making these type of reads, which he responded: “You gotta look at who has the ball, right or left handed, what their skill-set is, and I guess some good timing with some timely gambles…If I get them, it’s a good thing. If I don’t, I gotta hear Spo telling me to stop doing them.”

It’s not just about putting him in the best defensive spot physically. With Butler, it’s a mental game, and allowing him to manipulate offenses with a trusted guy on the perimeter will lead to very good things.

Why was Miami’s 2-3 zone so effective in the bubble specifically?

There are so many answers to that question: it hid negative perimeter defenders, caught opposing teams by surprise for them to adjust, etc. But one of the main things not talked about enough was pairing Butler’s perimeter dominance with another strong defender at the top of the key.

No clear-out could take him away from the play. No screen could force a switch to put them at a disadvantage. It was just pure confidence that his side-kick would be there no matter what, Adebayo was ready for the step-up or trap, and guys like Robinson and Herro had the simple task of filling the weak-side.

In some ways, that is what Butler will have in many of the Heat’s lineups next season. In the starting group, there will be 4 strong suited defenders on the floor, and a bunch ready to rotate in. Shooting may feel like the skill-set that is best around Butler, but it’s actually about the other side of the floor.

The Heat have a roster that enhances Butler, and that’s the exact reason they went in this direction.

Three-Man Game

Now to the offensive end, a lot of stuff will look like an Erik Spoelstra masterpiece. Weapons will be all over the place, meaning the motion offense will benefit greatly. But as seen in Toronto, running offensive sets as a three-man game works very well.

One variation of the three-man group will be Lowry, Robinson, and Adebayo. There will be games where they begin to spam double drag–Lowry facilitating/slashing, Robinson popping, and Adebayo rolling–which is the much needed diversity this offense has been searching for since the bubble breakout.

But more importantly, three-man actions down the stretch are going to include the team’s three best players: Butler, Lowry, and Adebayo. We could also see some double drag with these three, including Butler as the ball-handler and Lowry as the popper, since Lowry will be in a ton of off-ball spots throughout the year.

Looking at the clip above, though, this will be home-base for this trio late in games. The ball in the hands of Butler as Adebayo comes to set the screen. It appears to be a normal pick and roll, except a stagger screen is being set by Goran Dragic in this instance on the big man, forcing either a very favorable switch or an easy basket.

I’m going to discuss Lowry’s screening a bit more next, but that’s what elevates this combination. It’s going to get to a point where defenses have no other choice in these spots than to switch, giving Lowry an isolation on the pop-out with a slow big or Adebayo on the block with a guard.

It is textbook. And a couple of veterans being at the forefront of this just makes it so much easier.

Butler-Lowry Dynamic

Something I’ve highlighted many times in the past is that there’s a reason Butler-Dragic pick and rolls were so effective. Of course Dragic did more than enough to make stuff like this work, but it all revolved around Butler’s strengths.

Butler as the screener meant he could receive the ball on the short roll, which is where he’s super comfortable. He can use his plethora of pump-fakes, turn into a back-down, or plummet into the defender under the rim to draw the foul like he loves to do.

When running inverted PnR’s, the guard setting the screen or forcing the switch wasn’t what was important. It was that angle provided is all Butler needs to make something out of the possession. And when talking about guards screening, not many are better than Lowry in that department.

Looking at the plays above, something really sticks out: the spacing. In the first clip, the defender was willing to dip down for the cut-off, leaving Kendrick Nunn open on the perimeter, while in the second clip, Andre Iguodala’s corner presence was an after-thought.

Could that change for Miami next season? It’s definitely possible.

We know that nobody is ducking down to the nail when Robinson is on the perimeter, but it’s more about that 5th guy. It’ll come down to Tucker continuing to punish defenses in the corner, and Morris improving the efficiency levels little by little. If you give Butler space on these top of the key PnR’s, late-game offense will look a lot smoother.

Lob Threat through Power Forward Play-Making 

Speaking of the latest wings added to the team, Tucker and Morris, there’s a formula for them to take some extra initiation as passers. Tucker will most likely takeover the DHO sets at times to allow Adebayo to set-up on the weak-side, but Morris is actually the guy that will open up Butler’s play-book.

If there’s one part of the floor that Morris is an effective play-maker from, it’s the top of the key. He was used a ton in horns actions to open up the floor with him at the top of the offense, leading to skip passes to the corner or over the top passes to bigs at the rim.

(Enters Jimmy Butler)

Butler is clearly a high level slasher and off-ball cutter, which we saw with the Robinson rub screens time and time again. Looking at the plays above, we see Kelly Olynyk surveying the floor then hitting him in stride with the lob pass for the finish.

That can be the Markieff Morris role at times, and even if it doesn’t seem major, it will be. With a secondary attacker on the roster, finding these minor areas of the offense to take advantage of will be huge for Butler, and I think we see it gradually increase throughout the season.

Switching On and Off the Ball

I’ve talked enough about the spots he will be used and bouncing off of his teammates on offense, but we must finish off with this: he will still be putting the ball in the basket in the same way, just sometimes it’ll be slightly easier.

What I mean by that is Butler is 31 years old, and though he may be moving aside for certain possessions, his interior control will still be present on a nightly basis.

The part that needs to be mentioned here is drawing the line between on-ball and off-ball effectiveness. Once again, Lowry will be running the show a lot of the time with his crafty passing ability, but sticking Butler on the wing or in the corner won’t happen for long.

Not being a deep ball threat won’t allow him to be a spectator in the offense, which leads us right into the clip above by playing off the catch. There are only a few players who can score off the catch like Butler can, just like there’s few who can shoot off the catch like Robinson can. They have the recipe right in front of their eyes.

In the clip above, there’s nothing too complicated about doing this. Finding ways to get him sprinting toward the hoop is all he needs when balancing the ability to play on and off the ball. We’ve seen his on-ball skill frequently, but this small expansion changes things.

Run a double screen for Lowry on the wing, stick Robinson in the strong-side corner, and let Butler go to work. That is the recipe I’m talking about. And there are many more layers that can be added onto that.

Giving Spoelstra extra weapons and Butler extra layers to the offense is what each of them need to win basketball games. And well, they now have both.

 

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How Will Victor Oladipo Be Used for Miami Upon his Return?

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The biggest wild card for the Miami Heat this upcoming season is Victor Oladipo. After acquiring him at the trade deadline last season, the Heat resigned him to a veteran minimum following his recent injury.

With many evaluating the rotation of the Heat next season, it’s pretty obvious that Oladipo being plugged into a bench role can change the trajectory of the team. There has been mixed reporting about the timetable of his return exactly, but that probably isn’t the most important part about the next steps.

It isn’t when he will return, it is how he will return.

After repairing his right quadriceps tendon, it’s unclear how he will look once he gets back into action. But in my opinion, Oladipo at 75% helps this team at the back end of the season. As long as he can bring his base skill-set, it moves the needle enough.

So, let’s hop right into the ways that he will be used. And as we go through it, you’ll notice his role will mainly revolve around the key player that is on the floor next to him at that time…

Defensive Readiness

Before going completely into offensive usage, the defensive end must be the place we start. That was one of the main reasons the Heat wanted to acquire him last season, due to him possibly plugging the point of attack issues on the team.

And after adding Kyle Lowry this off-season, there are a bunch of projected defensive lineups that can really do damage in a playoff series. But when looking at the way he will come back from this injury, the biggest question seems to be how he will translate on the defensive end.

Lacking that same explosiveness and speed usually means taking a step back on that end, much like many are kind of expecting when Klay Thompson returns for the Golden State Warriors. But one thing that should be mentioned is that Oladipo’s defense isn’t solely carried by his speed and overall movement. It’s actually the defensive principles that carry the weight.

Look at the clips above from his biggest game with the Heat last season in that short span. These defensive highlights just further prove my point. Sprinkling in simple blitzes with Bam Adebayo, getting his hands on the ball when defending the post, and just making the necessary rotations.

None of that will change. He won’t have to carry a huge load on that end of the floor with the latest roster changes, except possibly guarding the best back-up guard when sharing the floor with Tyler Herro off the bench.

It’s just about what he will give them on the offensive end to complement others, and there’s one way to fully maximize that stuff….

Spotting Up from Deep Frequently. Very Frequently

There’s an obvious formula to working Oladipo back into play slowly. And well, that includes more spot-up shooting than explosive driving and kicking. Once again, Lowry now being a part of the roster can really allow Oladipo to take his time on the offensive end when returning, but some of this will be on Herro’s immediate role.

Although I will tough on this duo next, it’s important to mention that Herro’s utilization is going to be simplified majorly. It could be in many different ways, but the point is that putting Oladipo into catch and shoot spots at the beginning can really cater to Herro.

Aside from that, Oladipo’s spot-up shooting willingness has trended upward over the years. In the 2018-2019 season, he only played 36 games in the regular season, and shot 96 total spot-up triples on 41% shooting. Looking at this past season where he bounced around the league playing 33 games, he ended up attempting a total of 120 threes on 38% shooting.

This wasn’t supposed to be his offensive role on any team, due to his dynamic attacking ability paving the way along with his unique outside shot creation. But well, adjustments are important when a player goes through the things Oladipo has gone through.

Whenever he has been slotted back into play after an absence, catch and shoot scoring is where he always finds himself. And I’m pretty sure we will see it again with Miami this upcoming season.

Back-Up Back-Court Flexibility

As alluded to briefly in the last section, the success of the Heat late in the season will have a lot to do with the production of Herro and Oladipo off the bench. How can they produce at a high level as the key players on the floor? Well, let’s take a look.

For starters, as I’ve noted many times, there won’t be many instances that those two are the key players on the floor, due to the idea that Lowry, Adebayo, and Butler will be on the bench at the same time isn’t truly a reality.

But taking a look at the clip above, this is where Herro’s game will be simplified a bit to start the season. Playing off the catch, but obviously not in a Duncan Robinson style. He’s going to station himself on the wing or corner in shooting position, but he’s going to mix in those step-backs and side-steps to really make himself dangerous.

Looking at the second clip, this ties into Oladipo’s possible role in the offense. Herro collapsing the defense a bit off the pick and roll then making decisions from there. That is another part of his game that could really use a boost, and if he can read rotations at a high level in this way, by making skip passes under the rim, this combination elevates.

In a very small sample size last season, the numbers with Herro and Oladipo on the floor weren’t very good. But with the recent roster construction, lineups will benefit when both of them can play against opposing back-up back-courts.

Oladipo may be the wild card of the team, but the wild card tandem is definitely the development of these two as possible reserve killers.

Adebayo-Oladipo Immediate On-Court Chemistry

Before discussing this from Oladipo’s perspective, it should be noted in a general sense. Why was is that Adebayo worked so well with Oladipo in a short span?

As good as Oladipo is, it wasn’t just because of him. It’s what comes from a shot creating guard who can score at all three levels following a screen or a hand-off from Adebayo. It’s why the Lowry addition is more important than some may think.

Spacing wasn’t off in these games, off-ball actions were fluid due to the amount of eyes on the strong side, and their skill-sets matched up. If multiples shot creators are put on the floor with Adebayo, it’s clear that good things will come out of it. Very good things.

Other than that, the first clip just shows how much the team elevates if he has even the slightest ability to get to the rim in a smooth fashion. That would mean Lowry and Butler could take a breather together on the bench, while Herro, Oladipo, and Adebayo bounce off each other to create good offense.

Oladipo at the top of the key with Adebayo and Robinson as screeners. It turns into an Adebayo hand-off for Dipo as Robinson screens for Herro in the corner. No help can drop down due to the pull that off-ball action puts on the defense, leading to an easy bucket for Dipo.

That’s the effect Oladipo has on the team. It’s the reliever for a 35 year old Lowry and a 31 year old Butler. These lineups with Herro-Dipo-Robinson-(insert corner spacer)-Adebayo will be a creative frenzy for Coach Erik Spoelstra, before transitioning back into the main thing with Lowry and Butler running the show.

It’s simple: Oladipo changes the game for them.

The Kyle Lowry Effect

Finally, Dipo wouldn’t just be a Lowry filler. We’ve talked about the way they can bounce off each other defensively at the point of attack, but there’s one offensive point to be made: pacing.

The Heat were a heavy half-court team this past season, even when shifting into a top 10 defense after acquiring Trevor Ariza. Transition offense didn’t ever look bad, it was just that possessions were always slowed down or pulled out to await the initial action.

A big like Adebayo with his guard-like skill-set should take advantage of that area, Butler loves to bull-doze his way to the cup, and of course, Lowry can get down there whenever he chooses and manipulate the whistle in different ways.

But the same may go for Oladipo.

He’s another guy who likes to push tempo, and if Butler or Adebayo are unwilling to, just know Lowry and Oladipo will make sure to change that rather quickly. That also does wonders for shooters like Robinson, since if the ball can be sprayed in the open court to collapse the defense a bit, transition threes will come often.

Looking back at the Warriors’ outside shooting over the years, it felt like every game, open looks were being generated just through that open court pressure. Draymond Green or Andre Iguodala would take control at times, and Miami has a few of those types that can mirror that transition shooting creation to a certain degree.

The most essential part about a player like Oladipo returning from injury is that he is versatile. If one part of his game eases up, he will put more weight on an attribute that can benefit in the short-term. This new roster is much more diverse, but for that to truly be seen, Dipo will need to take advantage of the role Coach Spo drums up for him upon his return.

And that could be sooner than originally expected.

 

Everything Tradeshows is a one-stop-shop for trade show exhibit rentals and custom exhibit display purchase solutions to companies of all sizes.

Visit them at EverythingTradeShows or call 954-791-8882

A Single Offensive Addition Changes the Game for Duncan Robinson

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Following a breakout sophomore season from Duncan Robinson, leading into a Finals run in the bubble, it was going to be hard to reiterate that same effectiveness in his third season.

He was on the top of scouting reports, teams were fronting his perimeter movement, and open threes were impossible. With him adjusting to all of this, he had a bit of a rough start to the season. But well, a “rough start” for Robinson is a normal start for others.

He ended up finishing his third season with a very similar stat-line, including 13 points a game, knocking down 3.5 threes a game on 41% shooting from deep. Yeah, I guess that isn’t too bad.

Speaking of those “adjustments,” they were being thrown at him from every direction. Starting his sets a few steps behind the three-point line to maximize spacing, sprinkling in some back-cuts to keep defenders honest, and accepting the decoy role when it was needed.

But there’s still one necessary step to truly elevate his game at this stage. It doesn’t involve excessive dribbling. It doesn’t involve hard attacks to the basket out of his comfort zone.

It’s rather simple: one pump-fake, two dribbles, and a pull-up.

It is something that I even brought up in the previous off-season, but obviously in limited time, that was a high expectation. But although we didn’t see it much this season, there were some glimpses that showed it’ll be easier to develop than originally expected.

When I stated that Robinson had to start certain actions farther from the three-point line, the clip above further proves that. He runs a high pick and roll with Bam Adebayo, which allows him to flow downhill and stop and pop at the perimeter for a pull-up triple.

The reason that’s important to note is to show the mechanics are there. Most of the time for catch and shoot players like himself, the stuff that comes before the actual release is the hardest part when forming a mid-range shot. The ability to have good balance on the abrupt stop, the comfortability with lifting following the two dribbles, and overall body control.

Getting those type of reps are setting him up for that next step of developing a mid-range game to a certain degree. It’s not that he will use it a ton, but it must be an option. If the shot isn’t there, defenses know the next option is a pocket pass or a simple swing. Once that expands, the game becomes much easier for him, yet much harder for the guy on the other side of the ball.

The most important part about this move is that it can be used in many different ways, meaning Erik Spoelstra can have a field day with opening up one of his favorite offensive weapons.

In the first clip above, we see a way it can be utilized as an off-ball threat, as he curls off the off-ball screen and catches in stride. If he can get to the rim, that will always be an option, since he’s very efficient once he gets down there. But there won’t seem to be many opportunities to get down there with ease considering his current skill-set.

Three defenders collapse once they see what is developing, but simply, there’s nothing they can do about that free throw line pull-up.

And by the way, not to stray off the topic too far, but there’s another minor reason this play worked: the Max Strus usage. That off-ball corner distraction pulls away those two defenders from the on-ball action, giving them the space they need. If Strus does end up getting rotational minutes as expected, that is why those two can be used together in beneficial ways.

The second clip above is just Robinson playing freely. It’s an awkward possession after the ball almost rolls past half-court, leading to him avoiding the screen to drive hard, before stopping at a dead spot once again.

Another area his deep ball shooting has really prepared him for is the overall offensive feel with the ball in his hands. As much as we discuss his gravity, that means that defenders are constantly flying around him from every direction. Due to that, he has developed a natural feel to find the spots on the floor that he can fire away.

This one simple move may not seem like it holds high importance, but it absolutely does. He already has the attributes that make him highly effective in this league, but now it’s all about finding ways to open that up more.

And when defenders are sprinting out for contests, mixing in that pump-fake, two-dribble pull-up can change the game for him next season. Obviously improving on-ball defense more and more will be a huge priority, but it wouldn’t shock me if this has been the main thing being harped on this entire off-season.

 

Everything Tradeshows is a one-stop-shop for trade show exhibit rentals and custom exhibit display purchase solutions to companies of all sizes.

Visit them at EverythingTradeShows or call 954-791-8882