Paradise Island, Bahamas — The Miami Heat held six practices in four days on makeshift courts in a Bahamas ballroom.
The majority of that work was on the defensive end of those floors.
"We've really focused on our defense, finishing our defense, the toughness plays in the paint, blocking out, group rebounding," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "I would probably say 70 percent of our camp was defense, other than player development."
Spoelstra acknowledged that the percentage makes him "a little uneasy," and that he'll zero in on offense more next week after the Heat's Sunday scrimmage and Monday preseason opener.
Still, it makes sense.
For all of the progress that Miami made with its offensive efficiency last season—finishing first in the NBA in field-goal percentage—it took some time to start stopping people.
By the end of the season, and especially during its 27-game winning streak, it did manage to become a bit stingier. Miami finished the season fifth in points per game against, sixth in field-goal percentage against and ninth in defensive rating.&n ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Ethan Skolnick
For the Miami Heat, the Camp Focus Is Defense First
October 4th, 2013 by Ethan Skolnick Leave a reply »
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