Heat's new-look offense could unlock All-Star version of Norman Powell

"One thing has become crystal clear two games in Norman Powell's tenure with the Miami Heat: The team's faster-paced offense is ideally suited to helping him generate Eastern Conference All-Star buzz. This isn't meant to be an overreaction to the 32-year-old dropping 18 points in 16 minutes during a preseason loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Sure, that detonation is part of it. But you could see the outlines of Powell's glove-like fit even as he struggled in Miami's preseason opener against Orlando."

"In the absence of both Tyler Herro and a true-blue superstar ball-handler, the Heat are ramping up the pace at which they play. Last year, 12.9 percent of their points came from fast-break opportunities. The season before that, 11.6 percent of their scoring was generated in transition. And in 2022-23, just 10.5 percent of their points came in transition. Miami has completely turned the tables to start 2025-26."

"This play style is going to work wonders for Powell's impact. While he has the capacity to create some of his own looks, he is at his best when making quick decisions off the catch. His spot-up efficiency is forever through the roof, he is a terrifyingly effective grab-and-go driver, and his bandwidth for breaking down set defenses off the dribble increases tenfold when he's given the ball as he's coming around screens, or trailing a semi-transition play."

Miami has accelerated its offensive pace to start 2025-26, with over 17 percent of scoring now occurring in transition compared to roughly 10–13 percent in prior seasons. The Heat are operating faster in the half-court and pushing after opponent shots. Norman Powell excels in quick catch-and-shoot situations, grab-and-go drives, and trailing semi-transition plays, making him an ideal fit for increased tempo. Powell's spot-up efficiency and ability to break down set defenses improve when he receives the ball in motion. Tyler Herro's ankle injury and a lack of experienced ball-handlers amplify reliance on Powell's scoring in transition.

Read at All U Can Heat