Heat's Defense Ranks 27th in Early 2-5 Start
Former guard Tim Hardaway Sr. says Miami lacks defensive urgency and takes too many threes.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Basketball
Miami Heat fans are watching a 2-5 start to the 2026-27 season, and former Heat guard Tim Hardaway Sr. has added his voice to the criticism. On his Crossover Podcast, he said the team lacks urgency on defense and takes too many threes.
Why it matters
A slow start with a 27th-ranked defense puts pressure on a roster that often falls behind early and then has to claw back. For Miami fans, the question is whether the team can tighten up before the losses pile up.
The Heat sit at 2-5 with a defensive rating of 119.8, which ranks 27th in the league, and they allow 17.3 made threes per game. Bam Adebayo's 16.3 points per game is his lowest since 2020-21, and he is converting just 0.6 of his three-point attempts.
The players
Tim Hardaway Sr.
Former NBA guard and host of the Crossover Podcast who criticized the Heat's defensive effort and shot selection.
Bam Adebayo
Miami Heat center whose scoring and three-point shooting have declined so far this season.
Tim Hardaway Jr.
Heat guard named by Tim Hardaway Sr. in his criticism of the team.
Klay Thompson
Player named by Tim Hardaway Sr. in his criticism of the Heat.
Andrew Wiggins
Player named by Tim Hardaway Sr. in his criticism of the Heat.
The details
Tim Hardaway Sr. made the remarks on his show, Crossover Podcast, saying Miami lacks urgency on defense and shoots too many threes. He named Bam Adebayo, Tim Hardaway Jr., Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins in his criticism. The Heat's latest setback was a 138-117 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, and the team often starts games poorly and trails early.
Timeline
Seven games into the 2026-27 season, the Heat stood at 2-5.
Hardaway's criticism was published on November 5, 2026.
Beyond the 305
The Heat's 27th-ranked defense through seven games puts them near the bottom of the league on the end where Miami has relied on its identity. Their habit of starting slowly and trailing early shows up again in a 2-5 start that has drawn public criticism from a former Heat guard.
For fans in Miami, the Heat's early losses mean a longer climb back into the playoff picture if the defense does not improve. Watch the next few games for whether the team can cut down on threes allowed and start faster.
The takeaway
The Heat's 2-5 start rests largely on a defense that ranks 27th and gives up 17.3 made threes a game. Keep an eye on whether Miami tightens its perimeter defense and gets Bam Adebayo's shooting back on track.
Further reading
For more on the team's season so far, check out our Basketball coverage.
