(Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
The Miami Heat are ushering in a new era this season after acquiring two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason.
It was the highlight of one of the greatest offseasons in franchise history. A new superstar afoot presents new expectations — championship expectations, to be specific.
No, we aren’t guaranteeing a championship. We aren’t even guaraneeing the Heat make it out of a crowded Eastern Conference. But a new-look Heat squad led by Antetokounmpo and Mr. 83, Bam Adebayo, plus Erik Spoelstra manning the sidelines, is a tantalizing trio. We don’t know how this roster will mesh together because we haven’t seen it together yet.
If there’s one certainty, though, it’s that Miami will be a highly disruptive, active defense.
Although, some skeptics in the national space don’t believe that’s the case.
On a recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Simmons, a long-time Celtics fan, foolishly asked The Ringer’s Zach Lowe about “who will play defense” on the Heat this season. Over 24 hours later, that sentiment spread to former NBA veteran Danny Green, who questioned the Heat’s defensive infrastructure outside of Adebayo and Antetokounmpo, two very good defenders.
Former NBA player Danny Green on the new look Miami Heat:
“Where’s the defense? It’s just him and Bam. They got to clean up everything on the glass?”
THESE PEOPLE CAN’T BE SERIOUS 😭 pic.twitter.com/QZHxONDulV
— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) September 23, 2026
Why the Miami Heat will be a very good defensive team:
Hot take: A Miami Heat squad coached by Erik Spoelstra will play defense.
Hot take pt. 2: They have multiple good defenders.
I’m burning hot with how much fiery takes I’m spewing, I know.
We’re past the point of rational analysis: There’s a sick part of me that respects this level of hate. I know Green doesn’t technically “hate” the Heat, but his perspective isn’t drifting far from someone who openly does.
Again, I know we haven’t seen this Heat team perform yet, but the very last line of the laundry list of concerns should be the team’s defense.
Outside of Adebayo and Antetokounmpo, here’s a list of a few of the Heat’s top defenders:
Andrew Wiggins — One of the best wing defenders in the East.
Davion Mitchell — An animal at the point-of-attack.
Pelle Larsson — Have you seen how many times he gets hit in the face? He’s not afraid of the scrum.
Dru Smith — Led the NBA in deflections per 36 minutes (6.2!!!) last year.
Nikola Jovic — Not as disruptive as a few of his counterparts, but an underrated on-ball defender.
Myron Gardner — The aggravator!
Keshad Johnson — A big-bodied 4 who has posted career averages of 3.0 stocks per 75 possessions
Shall I go on?
Not to mention, Spoelstra-coached teams have finished top-10 in defense in nine of the last 10 and 13 of the last 16 seasons. In that span, they have cracked the top-5 five teams, according to Cleaning The Glass.
At the very least, the Heat are going to defend. I don’t think that should be of concern, especially with Adebayo and Antetokounmpo — who have combined to make 11 All-Defensive teams — leading the way.
That’s their backbone.
That’s their MO.
That’s their organizational philosophy.
That’s their CULTURE.
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