No team in the NBA playoffs was as resilient or determined as the Miami Heat, with Jimmy Butler and company seeming like a team possessed and ready to prove their worth in the postseason going from the Play-in Tournament to the NBA Finals.
Unfortunately, the Heat fell short against a very good Denver Nuggets squad in the Finals led by arguably the best player in the league in two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
With the Heat falling short last season, Pat Riley and company have their work cut out for them to build a team that can get to the next level, and they have an opportunity to do that with superstar guard Damian Lillard wanting to play in Miami.
Although Lillard wants to end up with the Heat before next season, it’s not guaranteed Miami will be able to get a deal done with the Portland Trail Blazers, even if a third or fourth team gets involved.
That said, there’s a chance Miami will look similar to last year’s squad minus the free-agent departures of Gabe Vincent and Max Strus, but Zach Lowe of ESPN thinks this team will be just fine if unable to bring in Lillard, via NBA on ESPN.
“Are we gonna sit here and doubt Jimmy Butler? … Lillard or no Lillard, do not count this team out.”
—@ZachLowe_NBA on the Heat’s ceiling this upcoming season 👀 📈 pic.twitter.com/YX2LE6PzzZ
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 18, 2023
At this point, it seems inevitable that Lillard will land in Miami before the start of the 2023-24 NBA season, which would instantly make the Heat the team to beat in the Eastern Conference or at least drastically increase their chances of winning it all.
However, with “Heat culture” turning out to be a real thing with head coach Erik Spoelstra at the helm and Riley calling the shots in the front office, Miami is still in a good place and will be relevant for years to come in the Butler era.
NEXT:
Former Heat Star Details Jimmy Butler’s Impressive Performance Vs. Bucks
