The Athletic NBA Daily NBA Stock Watch with Fred Katz | Morning Shoot Around
Oct 29, 2025
Fred Katz, an NBA reporter for The Athletic, joins the discussion to explore early-season NBA trends. He highlights Erik Spoelstra's innovative coaching style and the Miami Heat's unique offensive approach. The conversation shifts to Tyrese Maxey's impressive start and the Sixers’ youthful guard depth. Katz also marks the standout performances of rookies like Cooper Flagg and dives into the Wizards' surprising competitiveness. They touch on MVP narratives surrounding Luka, Giannis, and Wembanyama, emphasizing how team success will influence the race.
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Heat's Screenless, Hyperpace Offense
- The Miami Heat radically reduced pick-and-rolls and play ultra-fast, chasing quick sets and cuts instead of screens.
- Fred Katz sees this as an innovative, risky approach that is working early but uncertain in playoffs.
Heat Halved Historical Pick-And-Roll Low
- The Heat's current pick-and-roll rate (~20/100) halves the previous 13-season low, making their approach historically extreme.
- Katz warns it's unsustainable long-term but fascinating and currently effective.
Maxey Is Philadelphia’s New Cornerstone
- Tyrese Maxey exploded early, averaging unsustainable scoring but proving he's a foundational guard for the Sixers.
- Fred Katz and Andrew expect Maxey to be a top-3–5 guard long term if healthy.