Giannis’ cautious claim on Heat’s offense starting hot

Looking at the pace for comparison, the Milwaukee Bucks last season with Antetokounmpo, though playing in 32 games, ranked 23rd in pace, whereas in the 2024-25 season, the team was 14th.

Heat’s Giannis Antetokounmpo on the fast-paced offense

While it will take time for Antetokounmpo and the other newcomers to the Heat to get acclimated to the fast-paced offense, there’s no denying that he’s bought into the system. As the system values players that drive downhill with ferocity, that’s Antetokounmpo’s bread and butter, as he’s been impressed with what he’s seen from the offense.

“We’re going to be able to get the scoreboard up to 110, 120 each night, which always gives you a chance to win, and we’re going to guard,” Antetokounmpo said. “The one thing about Coach Spo from the years that I played against him, he will switch it up; if things don’t work, he’s able to adjust to something else.

“He’ll fit the offense and our defense as to what we can do and try to put us in the best light and try to allow us to play within our strength,” Antetokounmpo continued. “So having a coach like that, you don’t worry about nothing. You just worry about your job, and you know that he’s gonna have your back. He’s gonna have our offense and defense looking sharp.”

With Antetokounmpo mentioning the points, Miami averaged 120.9 points per game last season, ranking second in the league, as they now add a force that has averaged at least 30 points and 11 rebounds in the three seasons before playing 36 games last year.

Heat’s Davion Mitchell on new-look offense with Giannis Antetokounmpo

Besides Antetokounmpo and Adebayo, a player who will be key in facilitating the offense is point guard Davion Mitchell, as he was crucial last season in helping the offense move quickly. Mitchell told ClutchPoints Tuesday after the first day of training camp that the offense and the defense will take time to come together.

“I mean, that’s why we have preseason. That’s why we have training camp. Everything is going to be new,” Mitchell said. “Even the defense thing is not going to come easy. Like, just because we’re good individual defenders doesn’t mean our defense can just be good just because we’re individual defenders. I think we got to figure out when to help, how to help, figure out when to help as far as if someone’s getting post up, as far as the help side. It’s a lot of things that we got to learn, but it’s the reason why we got preseason and training camp.”

At any rate, it remains to be seen how the offense will play from the get-go in the regular-season opener on Oct. 21 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the meantime, Miami will continue training camp throughout the week at FAU ahead of Saturday’s preseason opener against the Toronto Raptors.