Spoelstra’s Pick-and-Roll Fix Could Save Heat Season
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A Smarter Way to Play
Spoelstra made a deliberate shift to get his big men into their best spots. He intentionally placed Giannis in the "dunker spot" to create easy scoring chances near the basket. This tactic allowed Bam to attack the rim while Giannis dominated the boards.
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There is also the issue of Klay Thompson, who has struggled mightily in the first five games. From deep, his shooting sits at 32 percent while he averages just eight points per game. His presence in the starting lineup has hurt the team's defense and spacing. If the Heat want to keep this new offensive rhythm, they may need to rethink who plays alongside Giannis and Bam.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/spoelstra-pick-roll-fix-could-090543636.html
Pick-and-roll helps Heat climb out of hole, as Spoelstra relents with offense
MIAMI — Stubborn turned to sensible Wednesday night, which perhaps not coincidentally had a losing streak turning into the first win of the Giannis Antetokounmpo era for the Miami Heat.
Focused on player movement, ball movement and pace since the start of last season. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra showed a far greater degree of open-mindedness in the 129-117 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena than delivered relief from the season's 0-4 start.
...the Heat utilized 57 pick-and-roll sets against Atlanta, not only eclipsing their previous season high of 35 but also their 2025-26 single-game high of 47.
Since the start of last season, Spoelstra had made a dramatic shift away from pick-and-roll sets, an accommodation he believed best suited the team's roster.
...the pivot in Atlanta was pronounced.
"We ain't ran pick-and-roll in a long time," Adebayo said with a smile after scoring a season-high 24 points in Atlanta.
This time, there were no forced 3-pointers from Adebayo, just a single missed attempt from beyond the arc, otherwise 8 of 15 from the field.
Spoelstra spent extended time with Adebayo courtside after Wednesday morning's shootaround in Atlanta, apparently with messages both delivered and received.
The change was discernable, including to Antetokounmpo.
"We have offensive principles. Guys have to look for space. Guys got to go downhill. Guys got to move when somebody drives," Antetokounmpo said of the Heat precepts set in motion prior to the 2025-26 season. "But at the end of the day, once the game slows down, you got to set some pick-and-rolls.
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So pick, roll, victory.
"I just feel like he's one of those coaches, he sees how to make adjustments," Adebayo said, "and he made an adjustment."
[He made an adjustment away from his own stupid.]
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"...when the game gets to those neutral times, we have to be more intentional of where the ball is going. ..." [Spoelstra]
[That's Pat Riley speaking through Spoelstra there. Whoever ends up with the ball last in the final 8 secs shoots? Don't do stupid shit, Spo. Get the fucking ball to your main guys. That is what Riley said in end of season presser.]
