As camp begins, Heat's defensive principles stay same despite new faces

MIAMI, Fla. -- Looking at the roster the Miami Heat have assembled at training camp, it's almost a surprise that the players aren't walking around with name tags.

In total, 13 of the 20 players participating in camp are new to the team -- and if they weren't aware of the Heat's emphasis on defense, they're getting a crash course on it right now. Ever since the arrival of Pat Riley in 1995, the organization year after year has prided itself on focusing on the defensive system first and foremost. And this year is no different.

''The identity has been here for 20 years,'' head coach Erik Spoelstra explained after Tuesday's session. ''How we've done it has been a little bit different in terms of slightly different points of emphasis. But the most important thing is the commitment to that side of the floor. What our X's and O's and our exact strategies — that's secondary to that.''

Once conditioning tests were passed by each player before they could participate in team drills, the first day of camp was spent solely on defense. Little by little and with each passing day, Spoelstra has been steadily working in his system on both sides of the ball even as he acclimates to new personnel on his roster and even his coaching staff.

''Thankfully we have a culture set in place and we also have some Heat lifers that understand how important defense is and what our system is,'' he said. ''A lot of the same principles offensively we're still trying to emphasize. That helps us fast track it. But we do want to make sure we're getting guys comfortable in places where they can be productive.''

When asked what it's like to work with so many new teammates, Dwyane Wade was quick to point out just how different it actually feels for the returning players given the fact that the front office spent the last few seasons making small refinements to the Heat's bench.

''It's an adjustment but it's good, it's good for us,'' he said. ''It's challenging for all of us. We've been in the comfort zone the last couple of years. It's probably more different for us than for the new guys, so it's good.''

The pride that the Heat take on defending isn't just all talk either. In the past 11 seasons, the Heat have only finished once outside of the top 11 NBA teams in points allowed. Over the same period of time, they've placed outside the top 10 in opponents' shooting percentage just twice.

Little wonder that Riley's mantra of defense winning championships has guided the way to three titles over the past decade.

While they were helped greatly by the presence of LeBron James on both sides of the floor the last four seasons, the franchise has always taken pride on defense and that won't be any different this year regardless of how many new players have arrived.

''The defense is not going to change too much,'' said Wade. ''The defensive principles of the last couple of years is help each other, try to take accountability one-on-one but also know you got help from your teammates. That's not going to change too much. Offensively, it's going to change a little bit. We have different personnel. So we have to start playing a different kind of game. That's what these days are for.''

Spoelstra faces an altogether different challenge in the wake of James' departure to keep his team on point defensively, but he's appreciating the skill set that each new player has offered so far in camp.

''Everybody's been able to go so it's been very competitive and the guys each bring something different to the table,'' Spoelstra said. ''Shannon Brown brings athleticism and the ability to create in the open court. Reggie Williams brings the ability to stretch the floor and shoot the ball. Danny Granger does the same thing, brings a little bit more size and he has a veteran poise to his game. It's very settling for our group. And you still have Tyler Johnson and Andre Dawkins that came in very prepared in this camp and are doing well.''

Perhaps because the same team principles are still in place, the few returning players such as Chris Bosh have felt at ease that the transition will be smooth as possible in this new era of Heat basketball.

''This isn't anything special around here,'' Bosh said. ''We're not trying to reinvent the wheel. We're just coming in working, getting in shape, and building that chemistry right now. I think everybody's really coming with a hunger and a positivity that's going to help this team out. I think we have a good chance to continue to build and be a decent team.''

You can follow Surya Fernandez on Twitter @SuryaHeatNBA or email him at SuryaFoxSports@gmail.com.