Erik Spoelstra on why consistency is key for Nikola Jovic in the new attack

MIAMI – With The Miami Heat have a different look this season with their new up-tempo offense, it has benefited many players on the team, such as Jaime Jaquez Jr., after a sophomore slump. Even The young star of the Heat, Nikola Jovic, will play in his career against the Portland Trail Blazers last Saturday under an improved attack, although he admitted that it was not always easy for him, s Erik Spoelstra giving his thoughts on his progress.

After Jović scored a record 29 points with nine rebounds and six assists, he spoke about it in the media, saying that “I felt like everything I did was wrong” with a new offense. He would credit the coaches and players for boosting him with confidence to cement his importance on the team, but Spoelstra would play down the importance of the new ClutchPoints offense, saying it’s more about “intention” with Jovic.

“It’s about intent and maturity, professionalism all the time. You know, that’s what we’ve always been on him for. It’s not about his confidence. We fill him with confidence. But that’s what it’s about for young players. It’s not a new offense, like that’s ridiculous,” Spoelstra said Wednesday.

“You know, when he plays with willpower and intent, and it’s always started with him and the approach every day to approach the practice day and shoot, and the film session, like it’s really important, he’s made improvements with that,” Spoelstra continued. “He’s not where he needs to be yet, because he’s young, he doesn’t see that it’s always important, but he’s getting there. And it’s a matter of consistency. But you can see the possibilities when he has that intention and when things are important.”

Asked Erik Spoelstra about the progress Nikola Jovic has made in the new offense, the young star admitted after the Portland game that it was a struggle at first.

Spoelstra would downplay it being an offense and more about “intent.”

Full answer: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/B00L7Til9j

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) November 12, 2025

Heat’s Nikola Jovic has a laisser-faire mentality

Jović continued his career with the Heat by being a key part of the most important play in Monday’s 140-138 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. He would be a boundary passer who threw the perfect ball to Andrew Wiggins for a dunk, and Spoelstra highlighted how gifted a passer he is, but also some of the weaknesses that come with it.

“Some of the things I’m just talking about are his strengths as well,” Spoelstra said. “All of us, you know, sometimes what are your greatest strengths, those things can be your greatest weaknesses. You know, he’s got size, he’s got vision, he can make passes. He’s got this laissez-faire.”

“He doesn’t feel pressured,” Spoelstra continued. “It’s there sometimes, where it’s frustrating as a head coach shooting around, and he’s just going through the motions. But that mentality also gives him that fearlessness, you know, to make clutch plays, you know, because he’s not afraid to make plays. But he’s got all those gifts. I’ve always thought his gift was his best gift. vision.”

Erik Spoelstra talks more about Nikola Jovic and his strengths and weaknesses, bringing up the final game the other night and his passing, saying that traits are what stood out in the draft. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/vuZ2Aszrgb

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) November 12, 2025

In any case. Jovic is averaging 10.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three-point range, as he and Jakes have been key to Miami’s explosive second unit. After Wednesday’s rematch against the Cavaliers, Jovic looks set to impress once again as the Heat take on the Knicks on Friday at Madison Square Garden.