NBA Miami Heat

Change Proving To Be Positive For The Miami Heat

Fresh Videos

By @blackirishpr

Washington Wizards

Getty Images

The Miami Heat are different. Coach Erik Spoelstra continuously said that throughout the offseason as he implored people to forget about the last four years. And it was about more than being without No. 6; it was about acknowledging an entire philosophy change from top to bottom — starting with the rookies.

The use of James Ennis and Shabazz Napier, for 15 minutes apiece, was the first time that we have seen the Heat inject that type of youthful energy into a lineup since Mario Chalmers and Michael Beasley in 2008. That’s not to say that Ennis climbing up the chest of Rasual Butler and throwing it down for the fast-break and one over the former Heat draftee was the cause of their win, but it was just another part of their new mindset.

The former champions’ aggressive attitude was a departure from the watch and pray style that they employed in the past. Twos and threes were constantly going up as the ball moved to open spots on the floor. It was as if the team went out of their way to shut the mouths of their doubters — particularly Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Norris Cole. They were all different.

Bosh was that 20-plus point go-to guy no one ever saw from him in Miami. He was an aggressor from all aspects of the field, even going at defenders off of the dribble. He also did something that hadn’t been seen from him since the 2013 postseason. He rebounded to the tune of at least 15.

For his part, Cole played on the attack as a first-time opening day starter, going at anyone in front of him, including John Wall, for a career-high 23 points. Again, this was different for the Heat. But what was the same was D-Wade getting hurt. Whether it’s the first game or the last, his injuries are expected. However coming back to score 12 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter wasn’t really anything people thought he still had in him — especially not when it includes two dagger threes.

All of this was a little weird after a strange offseason, but the hunger seems to be boiling in them now that they cannot rely on one man to save the game.

The change made Miami a little scrappy and not too Hollywood to get down on the floor — so much so that they actually one-upped a team in rebounding. That means real Heat fans should be happy to have the hunger back that a guaranteed trip to the NBA Finals made them lack. But don’t get too encouraged, because the game was still a semi-struggle against a Washington Wizards team down seven men.

Richard Nurse is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @blackirishpr or add him to your network on Google.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on