Indiana Pacers: What we need to learn from the Miami Heat

As a team that didn’t make the playoffs, it is worth reflecting on the teams that did and what we can learn from them. The Pacers should be watching.

The Heat are doing some things that are wowing the NBA world, making it to the NBA Finals after barely making it through the NBA play-in tournament. Many had written them off months ago as serious playoff contenders, but here they are, playing on the biggest stage, the NBA Finals.

And just a few metrics that really show how unlikely the playoff run truly was:

• The team went 44-38 in the regular season and scraped into the playoffs.
• They lost their first play-in game to Atlanta by double digits and had to play an additional play-in game.
• They have been missing multiple key rotational pieces such as Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo.
• They were 30th in points per game and 29th in pace for the regular season.

So by all accounts the Miami Heat should not be in the NBA Finals, nor should they even be remotely competitive. But here they are and they are certainly competitive. What can the Pacers learn from them?

Coaching matters, and even more so in the playoff push.

The Heat have arguably one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time. Erik Spoelstra has now made six finals appearances, two of which he had no business being in. He is far removed from merely the coach that got to coach LeBron James, it’s looking like he himself can make the most out of just about any roster.

His in-game adjustments are on point and he always has his team with an answer to the biggest of punches the other team can throw their way.

How the Pacers could learn: The Pacers have a decent amount of capital here with a championship-level coach in Rick Carlisle. However, in recent years in-game adjustments could be dramatically improved and perhaps that is with additional resources on the bench. The Pacers should look at how they could improve coaching for down the stretch, even if they already have an all-time level coach in the building.

You have to play both sides of the ball and that especially includes defense.

Anybody who has been watching these finals has watched defenses clamp down in the postseason, much more so than their regular season counterparts.

One hallmark of this Heat team, even when they were terrible on the offensive side of the ball during the season, is that they were elite on the defensive side of the ball being second in the league in opponents points scored.

This has allowed them to stay in games even when they are shooting poorly, and why they look to pop off the television screen when they are finally hitting shots.

How the Pacers could learn: The Pacers have looked bad on defense ever since long-time coach Dan Burke left the bench to head to Philadelphia. They have lacked defensive identity for years now. That might mean bringing in some defensive talent in the draft or bringing in a coach that is known to instill defensive toughness. But something will need to change if the Pacers want to eventually make it to the promised land.

Role players matter more than you think they do, especially when the stars aren’t shining quite as bright.

One thing that has also been a hallmark of the Miami Heat this offseason is role players (many of whom are undrafted) stepping up into an established system and shining. Players like Gabe Vincent and Duncan Robinson wouldn’t have gotten an opportunity to smell the floor in many organizations around the NBA. But in Miami? They are given a role and they execute it to perfection.

This stands in stark contrast to many of the teams around the NBA who are so focused on obtaining stars that they lose sight of the talent they already have and the depth that they need (we are looking at you Lakers).

What the Pacers can learn: Only bring in players that have a defined role. If we have two centers on the roster, there is no reason to draft a third. We can get a third string center undrafted or on the buyout market. Focus on what the team needs and start there. And anybody that we bring in we need to get some minutes for so that we can truly evaluate them. Otherwise we leave players like Gabe Vincent on the bench who could otherwise shine.

You only need one true leader to build a franchise around, and the mentality of that leader is key.

Today’s NBA continues to be fascinated with super teams, yet here are the Miami Heat who have repeatedly made the NBA finals without one. Their best player, Jimmy Butler, wouldn’t crack many analysts top five in the NBA, yet alone top ten, but they continue to perform in the playoffs. How is this so?

Most of it comes down to leadership and how one player can inspire those around them and build a culture where everyone is valued. This seems apparent in the locker room in Miami as Butler and co. talk during media.

What the Pacers can learn: Tyrese Haliburton may be the only true superstar we need on the team. With his leadership and inspiring personality, perhaps, the team can completely build the franchise around him, similar to the Heat and Jimmy Butler. Of course Haliburton will need co-stars such as Turner (Adebayo) and Mathurin (Herro). But it can be done without selling your future for another superstar that may or may not want to leave in a few years.

The Pacers can get there if we just learn these key lessons. Without them, we may just find ourselves following a losing strategy.