While no team in the NBA playoffs was as resilient or determined as the Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler and Co. looked like a team ready to prove their worth in the postseason leading from the play-in tournament to the NBA Finals.
Unfortunately, the Heat lost in the Finals to a very good Denver Nuggets team led by two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, the league’s best player.
With the Heat falling behind last season, Pat Riley and company have their work cut out for them to build a team that can reach the next level, and they have an opportunity to do so as superstar guard Damian Lillard wants to play in Miami. Are.
Although Lillard wants to settle with the Heat before next season, there is no guarantee that Miami will be able to make a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, even if a third or fourth team is involved.
That said, there is a possibility that Miami will look similar to last year’s team without the free-agent departures of Gabe Vincent and Max Strauss, but ESPN’s Zack Lowe thinks that bringing Lillard back, via The NBA on ESPN This team will be fine even if I am unable to. ,
“Shall we sit here and doubt Jimmy Butler? … Lillard or no Lillard, don’t count this team out.”
,@ZachLowe_NBA On the roof of the Heat this upcoming season 👀 📈 pic.twitter.com/YX2LE6PzzZ
– NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) 18 July 2023
At this point, it seems inevitable that Lillard will land in Miami before the start of the 2023-24 NBA season, which would immediately make the Heat the team to beat in the Eastern Conference or at least significantly increase their chances of winning.
Although “Heat culture” has become a real thing under head coach Erik Spoelstra and Riley calling the shots in the front office, Miami is still in a good place and Butler will remain relevant for years to come. Era.
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