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LeBron James dropped a bomb on listeners during a recent episode of his Mind the Game podcast. He credited Chip Kelly with unlocking the Miami Heat’s full offensive potential with the “Big 3.”
Yes… that Chip Kelly! James says elements from his spread football attack were integral in changing the team’s offensive approach.
And it worked!
We all remember LeBron’s move to Miami, as it became more of a production than a signing.
Moving on from the hometown Cavs, he formed one of the league’s first “super teams” alongside Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.
The group gelled instantly, landing an Eastern Conference championship in Year 1 before falling to Dallas in the NBA Finals. Looking for a way to get over the hump, head coach Erik Spoelstra got creative.
He flew to Oregon to meet with Chip Kelly, whose Ducks were fresh off a national title appearance against Auburn.
According to LeBron James, concepts brought back from that trip were installed in the Heat’s offense – with a Chris Bosh transformation being at the forefront!
.@KingJames talks about how Erik Spoelstra’s innovative strategy and Chris Bosh’s spacing unlocked the full potential of the Heat.
Full episode with LeBron and @jj_redick drops 4/3: https://t.co/lS85Uh1jg7 pic.twitter.com/8IDq6nD52T
— Mind the Game (@mindthegamepod) April 2, 2024
“That summer, [Spoelstra] went to Oregon and hung out with Chip Kelly… he learned the spread offense and tried to figure out if it could translate to basketball.
“When he came back, he knew for us to reach our potential… Chris Bosh had to go to the five. He had to start working on his corner three… It unlocked exactly what D-Wade and I thrive on. Dribble penetration slot cuts.
“It unlocked so much for our offense.”
There you have it!
Miami would go on to win back-to-back NBA titles the next two years. Heat fans have Chip Kelly to thank!