Steve Kerr Reveals What Makes the Miami Heat Unique

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr says the Miami Heat play a unique defense
Steve Kerr Reveals What Makes the Miami Heat Unique
Steve Kerr Reveals What Makes the Miami Heat Unique /

There are several different ways to execute a zone defense, but what the Miami Heat have been running in these NBA Finals is something Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has not exactly seen before. Joining Draymond Green on a recent podcast episode, Kerr broke down this defense from Miami, and why it's so unique.

"They run some interesting stuff," Kerr said of Miami. "They've got a couple different zones that they run. The one [in Game 2] looked like a matchup zone, almost like a hybrid type thing. Like maybe they made it up on the fly during the Finals. But they are really good. They're tough-minded, they're so well-coached... They just don't make mistakes."

As an 8th seed, Miami does not have the same margin for error that other teams have. That margin for error becomes even smaller against a powerhouse like the Denver Nuggets, which is why the Heat have found success with their elite discipline and attention to detail.

When it comes to their defense, Miami is also incredibly savvy, which has helped them slow down some of the league's top offensive weapons this postseason. According to Steve Kerr, Miami runs different zones, and has perhaps even created a new one for this NBA Finals series vs. Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. The Heat are unique, disciplined, talented, and hungry, which has been a winning combination for them.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.