Giannis Antetokounmpo officially took the floor for the first time in a Heat uniform on Wednesday night as his new team played host to the Timberwolves, a prime-time affair during the NBA’s opening week showcase. Changing jerseys and cities for the first time in his career did nothing to slow the Greek Freak down. Not that we expected much else.
Antetokounmpo was the same rampaging, physically dominant force we saw win two MVPs and a championship in Milwaukee. He scored 21 points in the first half as he ran roughshod over a Minnesota squad lacking the big bodies required to stop him. Erik Spoelstra’s offensive system, with a focus on pace and running whenever possible, is the best possible counter to the classic “build a wall” strategy that has been the preferred method of stopping Giannis over the years. Miami’s focus on playing fast means the defense can’t get set, and it’s nearly impossible to wall off Antetokounmpo’s paint access if the defense isn’t set.
