The Miami Heat is off to a sizzling start this adolescent season and the biggest reason for that is defense. The team ranks top three in steals (10.3) and blocks (6.7) per game, forcing a league-best 19.3 turnovers. Additionally, opponents are shooting a near NBA-worst 27.6% from the three-point line. All this is helping the Heat net the league’s 4th best defensive rating.
Basketball savants will tell you it’s more about tenacity than talent. More about gut than gifts. Yes, you must have exceptional players to execute but its largely predicated on those players “buying in,” everyone setting their sail in the same direction with a singular vision and goal in mind.