Why is Nobody Talking About the Miami Heat?? | HHT 70
On the 70th episode of Hot Hand Theory, Geoff and XJ break down how Bam Adebayo, Norman Powell, Erik Spoelstra, Tyler Herro, and the Miami Heat are quietly becoming the Eastern Conference’s biggest problem—and why their elite defense paired with an evolving Noah LaRoche offense makes them far more dangerous than anyone realizes.
The duo dives into the film and data to show how the Heat are winning with the revolutionary LaRoche system that removes traditional screens to maximize driving lanes and spacing. But even more importantly, they’re third in the NBA defensively, even while running one of the fastest paces in basketball.
We explore why Bam Adebayo has made the leap from all-star to all-NBA/fringe MVP candidate (career-high three-point volume at 37%, paired with his best defensive season ever), why Norman Powell is playing at an all-star level at 32 years old, and how Erik Spoelstra’s willingness to completely reinvent his offensive philosophy mid-career sets him apart as arguably the NBA’s best coach. Plus: how Tyler Hero’s return will determine if the Heat are just a tough out or legitimate championship contenders.
We break down what makes the Heat’s low-turnover, high-pace approach so effective, why their depth (Dru Smith, Kel’el Ware, Nikola Jovic, Davion Mitchell) gives them staying power, and whether they should make a move for someone like Lauri Markkanen to capitalize on the East’s wide-open window.
We cover:
🔹 Bam’s leap: 6 threes per 75 at 37%, best defensive season, all-NBA level play
🔹 The LaRoche system: How the real goal of removing screens is to simultaneously maximize space and driving lanes
🔹 Why Erik Spoelstra is the NBA’s best coach: Reinventing offensive philosophy after years of success
🔹 Norman Powell’s all-star season at 32: Is this sustainable through the playoffs?
🔹 Tyler Hero’s return: Will he be additive to Bam and Powell or disrupt their chemistry?
🔹 The depth advantage: Dru Smith leading the league in steal percentage, Kel’el Ware’s upside, shooting around the core
🔹 Should the Heat trade for Lauri Markkanen? Weighing standing pat vs. going all-in on an open Eastern Conference
🔹 Can Bam and Ware play together long-term, or does Miami have a center decision to make?
💬 Let us know in the comments: Should the Heat make a move at the deadline, or is this core enough to win the East?
If you value strategic analysis over hot takes and want NBA breakdown that explains HOW teams win, not just that they won, subscribe and catch every episode.
#MiamiHeat #Heat #BamAdebayo #NormanPowell #TylerHero #ErikSpoelstra #HotHandTheory #NBAPodcast #NBAAnalysis #HeatBasketball #EasternConference #NBASeason #NBA #NoahLaRoche #KelOWare #DrewSmith #NikolaJovic #LauriMarkkanen
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Timestamps:
0:00 | Preview
0:52 | Intro: The Miami Heat
2:10 | Erik Spoelstra is doing it again
7:30 | Noah LaRoche’s system
12:30 | Can the Heat offense get even better?
16:15 | Are the Heat a piece away?
22:57 | Is Lauri Markkanen the answer?
26:30 | Why Tyler Herro needs to fit IN
29:15 | The Kel’el Ware Dilemma
34:58 | Please Like, Comment & SUBSCRIBE
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24 Comments
Are the Miami Heat still a move away? Or is their "next step" the return of Tyler Herro and continued growth in Noah LaRoche's system? IF the Heat were to make a move, who would you want to see them acquire? Lauri Markkanen!? Let us know 👀👇
I enjoyed this Miami Heat offense with them pushing pace and creating advantages without pick and roll screens and the wheel concept they play with moving the ball, I have a question, if Miami runs into an elite defense in the playoffs in a 7 game series, that team obviously has weeks to prepare for Miami's offense, if that elite smart team takes away this offense that Miami is running, what would be the adjustments they make especially teams can go to zone vs this Heat offense which we saw the Knicks do but what do you think of this if they run into a elite smart defense 🤔?
The east is wide open, miami definitely is capable of winning the east
Glad someone said this. I bet them to win the east last week. Spo in the playoffs. I think this is the type of team that can exploit KAT.
I feel obligated to make a snide comment about Miami moving away from Bam constantly setting illegal screens, but I don't have the mental energy to craft it, so this will have to suffice. I can now check the box on my Hater To-Do list.
Miami offense not good? The sane offense that number 1 in scoring? One of the best shooting percentage and basically top 3 in most offensive categories? Boy oh boy please watch more games
You Miami Heat podcasters are so annoying. Instead of enjoying the good energy and vibes that this team is putting out you guys are trading everyone. It’s so sad….
Heat has the solution for the offensive rebounds and that ware😑Spo just don’t start him with bam because we don’t have a back up center
This was a great podcast! Totally agree, Markennen or Giannis are the ultimate final piece to this Heat offense.
Imagine Lauri attacking the space in the offense or Giannis scoring in transition… Sheesh!
I'm a Heat fan,the Heat current roster is not winning a championship with that roster,the Wade era is the blueprint,you got to have a HOF talent to win a championship,scheme and C+ talent will not win a championship,upgrade the talent,Go Heat.
Its not called all stars anymore if theyll put it usa vs european. The selection will be biased. Theres not so much international player to fill up 13 roster for all star rn. But since they want the format like that, the selection will be unfair to say the least.
Go Heat
Great Breakdown
Miami is playing great basketball. I can see Miami coming out of the east this season.
You have to catch their games, yes our super stars are not flashy to the media, so they get no promo, but man when i tell you its a showdown, night in ,night out. Every player on the heat roster is committed and playing together as 1, no matter who gets swapped out, problem heat is having current is tyler, getting him used to the playing style. It took the heat 6 games to glue, after that dem boys were hummming.💪🏾🔥🔥
Bam alongside Ware gives Miami the highest ceiling. The problem is (and it's a good problem to have) who do you sit out of the starting five? Davion is playing out of his mind right now. Wiggins too. Herro and Powell both having All-star seasons.
"Great coaches like Mazzula" lol nah man
All we need is a backup big (C or PF that can guard up)
Spoelstra a top 4 or 5 coach in the league? Comparing Spo to Mazulla and other coaches? Who are these two dudes talking about Spo like this? Spo is the best coach in the league and has been for a long time. Other coachs aspire to be Spo. Couldnt listen past that.Terrible pod.
What is wrong with picture? Ware stats; 53.8 percent overall (18th in NBA), 43.6 tree-point % ( 18th), 10.6rbis (6th in NBA and numero 1 in rebs per minute) but scoring only 12.2pts in just 24.5 minutes. Why those minutes, why so few shots in the offense, Gets about 2 buckets a game off offensive rebounds. 12.2pts while his shooting is great (including over 81% at the line) and Ware is tossed to be curb not starting. Spso lies when he claims, "Make me Play you. " Since Nov 1, KW shooting 50 % from three since then (18 of 38). Bam has the lowest assist rate every as a starter, Tyler lousy assists too. Give KW the rock
How can you admire Spo when he obviously looks for any or every reason to play Ware less. Following Ware's 20, 20 20; 14rbs, 16rbs, 18rbs 3 games Ware was kicked to the curb under the bus and relegated to few as 16 minutes in one game. Offensive rebounding: Ware takes almost 3 times the offensive rebounds per minute. Get stats right, Ware is currently taking 3.3 offensive rebounds a game one of the best in the NBA (WAY BETTER THAN BAM). He currently 6th in rebounds at 10.6rbs in only 24.5minutes. Free Ware from clutches of Spo and let him play 32 min a game. Bam 37.8% Ware 43.6% threes
Platy Bam and Ware together 15 minutes a game and both get 34 a game. Develop chemistry between Bam and Kelel. Ware has improved his three point % almost 8% this season. Herro has killed the good chemistry that exited before he came back. And kicking Ware to the curb BY SPO because Herro came back. Markkanen gets half the rebounds per minute as Ware, it is ridiculous how much better Kelel than the Jaz player. Tyler hats to pass the rock and he is a detriment to the team because he can't defend; trade Tyler. Guys Ware shot 42% from three at IU. Jovic never should start ahead of Ware, neither Pell.
Ware could average 22 a game right now, play him 34 minutes and let him shoot 5 to 8 threes a game he has made 50% (18 of 38) threes since Nov.1. Spo is missing it to not play Ware and Bam together. Completely illogical. I been watching the NBA since 1958 and I ain't never seen a great shooter and rebounder left on the bench; NEVER. He is the most talented on the Heat NOW, play Kelel cause you have a be blind to not see it
Sit Wiggs some games and Tyler others; PLAY KELEL or you don't fully develop him. All he needs and minutes (experience and he will become a real star; like 20 pts and 13rbs a game. He can do that right now