Miami Heat’s Net Rating Hits 28th Despite Star Power

Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesThe Miami Heat have started the season 1-5, but the real story isn’t just the losing streak – though finally broken with the 129-117 win over Atlanta. It is the team’s net rating, which sits at 28th in the league. That number is so low it feels like a typo, yet it is the cold reality on the court. The offense ranks 27th while the defense is 24th. Even with two superstars, the math simply does not add up for Miami right now.Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing at a high level, but his teammates are not keeping pace. Bam Adebayo has seen his scoring drop to 11.8 points per game, down from 20.1 last season. His rebounding has also dipped to 7.3, and he is averaging 3.5 assists. The problem runs deeper than just one bad shooting night. The Athletic’s Sam Amick noted that the fit between the big men is the main issue. He wrote that the “clunky fit between Heat big man Bam Adebayo and his new frontcourt mate” is the most concerning problem by far.The Spacing Problem Stalls the OffenseBoth stars play in the paint, which leaves no room for the ball to move. Their defensive strengths overlap too much, and neither player creates the spacing the other needs. The Athletic’s Dan Woike stated that unless Miami makes a drastic trade, he dislikes the pairing. He pointed out that “Their defensive strengths seem to be duplicative, and neither provides the other with any real spacing.” This lack of open floor space makes it hard for Giannis to drive or for Bam to finish.The backcourt does not help the situation either. Klay Thompson looks past his prime, and Davion Mitchell is not a strong distributor or shooter. The team lacks a creator who can set up Giannis when the defense collapses on the paint. The Athletic’s Sam Amick warned that missing the Play-In is now a real possibility for the Heat. He cited the difficult dynamic between the stars and the weak backcourt as the main reasons for the struggle.Minutes for Jovic Remain UnclearYoung forward Nikola Jovic is stuck in a rotation that changes every night. He played 24 minutes in the opener against Minnesota, but his time has shrunk since then. According to reports, the 23-year-old Jovic remains in the process of locating his specific role. Spoelstra added that he extended frontcourt minutes recently, so Jovic is still in the mix. The coach admitted he just has to figure out the best way to use him.Because Jovic executed a four-year, $62 million contract extension during October 2025, his career trajectory is linked to the team. He told reporters he “can’t say I kind of didn’t expect it” regarding the inconsistent minutes. He has dealt with similar ups and downs before and says it gets easier with time. Spoelstra noted after shootaround on Wednesday that Jovic has been giving the team “good minutes” this season, which is different from last year.Adebayo Rejects the Scapegoat RoleBam Adebayo knows the fans are looking for someone to blame for the 0-4 start. He finished with only eight points in the loss to Dallas, missing all five of his three-point attempts. He refused to accept the role of the sole villain for the team’s struggles. “Can’t overthink basketball,” Adebayo said. “For me, my shot not going in. I’m not going to overthink that.” He believes the criticism is unfair given the collective nature of the game.The Heat need to find a way to make their stars work together before the season slips away. They have the talent, but the current system is failing them. Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks offers a chance to break the streak.