Giannis Antetokounmpo challenged the Miami Heat to improve their defensive intensity and take greater responsibility after a 128-111 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Friday left them winless through their first two games of the season.
Antetokounmpo finished with 36 points and 12 rebounds, but Miami allowed 128 points for the second consecutive game. The Heat have surrendered a franchise-worst 259 points through two contests and have been outscored by a combined 42 points.
“I think we can be better. I think we can be a lot better,” Antetokounmpo said after the game. “We don’t set the tone. I feel like we just expect that the other teams are going to come in this building and lay down and let us play our game, but it’s not going to be this way. Teams are good.”
The eight-time All-Star stressed that Miami must compete from the opening minutes instead of repeatedly trying to recover from significant deficits. Detroit opened the game with a 17-2 run and led 65-53 at halftime before extending its advantage in the third quarter.
“We have to set the tone. We have to figure out a way to set the tone,” Antetokounmpo said. “We keep on playing from behind, you know. We go down 12, come back, then we go down 20, then we come back for 12. Then we just keep on playing from behind.”
Antetokounmpo acknowledged that Miami’s defensive problems become more pronounced when things go against the team. He believes greater trust and focus across the roster would help both ends of the floor.
“Once we are locked in and we trust one another on all levels, offense becomes easier, defense becomes easier,” he said. “Right now, it’s not there where it should be.”
Although the Heat showed some improvement compared with their season-opening performance, Antetokounmpo said the team still needs someone to spark a change in urgency. He also warned that the problems could continue if Miami does not address them immediately.
“It’s not going to be easy. What says that we’re not going to go in Charlotte and the same thing is going to happen?” he said. “We have to be urgent. We all have to be better.”
The responsibility, Antetokounmpo added, starts with him. He called for a higher level of personal performance, stronger defense and more playmaking for his teammates.
“Anything I say, I always start with myself. I have to be better. I have to set the tone. I have to be more urgent,” Antetokounmpo said. “Just got to keep on raising the level of my play, and I just hope that I put myself in position to help my team.”
Miami will have an immediate opportunity to respond when it visits the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.
