What is Heat Culture though?
Pat Riley coined the term, “Heat Culture.” In the HBO series, “Winning Time,” he wasn’t the architect of the “Showtime” offense. “Heat Culture,” is being in physical shape to withstand the rigors of an NBA season. An example is losing to the Bucks on Tuesday without Jimmy Butler but stood toe to toe with them. The Pacers scored 72 points in the 1st half, and then got shut down. Check out this article here on our site about the trade that made it happen. The Pacers knocked them on their butt on Thursday, but you don’t earn the title of “the nastiest team in the NBA” without getting blood on your jersey a few times. Check out this article here how Shaquille O’ Neal describes #heatculture in three words. The Heat are in the Top 10 in defensive rankings. Look at it here on NBA.com.
Heat culture sparks the offense
In the last nine games, the Heat offense is averaging 115 points per game and averaging 26 assists per game. They scored 129 in Thursday’s loss. Bam Adebayo had 31 points against the Bucks and was scoring at-will against Giannis and Bobby Portis. Josh Richardson is playing better and has been averaging double digits in starts. Duncan Robinson puts the ball on the floor, runs off screens and is no longer a catch-and-shoot player. The players have “bought into” Heat Culture. Bam Adebayo’s injury has highlighted how important he is to the Heat offense. The team has a great combination of youth and experience. The Boston Celtics biggest fan, Bill Simmons, let everyone know on his podcast why Heat culture is real. Check the article here.
Jaime Jaquez is a Heat culture fit.
On Draft night, broadcasters called Jaquez, “the most NBA ready player coming out of college.” Check out this article here as to his other title on Draft Night, Juan Wick. No draft pick really lives up to titles. Jaquez is living up to the hype–shooting the three and mid-range, putting the ball on the floor and showing great footwork. He defends the opposition’s best player (and has gotten schooled) but hasn’t been completely lost. Finally, he plays the entire fourth quarter.
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