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Another NBA offseason has come and gone, meaning another summer of Miami Heat rumors. As history has shown over the years, the Heat rumors once again did not materialize into any significant roster changes via trade or free agency. Miami was briefly linked to Donovan Mitchell early on, but that pipe dream was closed as soon as he signed his max extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The only real report in regard to potentially getting their hands on a new star player came with DeMar DeRozan, near the beginning of the summer. DeRozan and the Heat had mutual interest, and there was optimism between both parties to hopefully get a deal done. The former Chicago Bulls All-Star was a free agent, and the only way Miami could’ve got their hands on him would be to clear salary prior to signing him.
The Heat are hard capped financially, and were not willing to find themselves over the second apron.
There were talks of doing so, potentially out of the trio of hefty contracts with Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier or Duncan Robinson. But nothing materialized in undergoing a successful salary dump. Not doing so made it impossible to afford a player of DeRozan’s caliber on the open market.
Pat Riley and the team’s front office still made one outside free agent decision, in bringing in former New York Knicks combo guard Alec Burks. After losing Delon Wright to the Milwaukee Bucks, Burks provides shooting and a veteran presence to the point guard depth.
The dreaded ‘run it back’ term has surfaced once again across Miami fans, as the Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro core are all back for a sixth consecutive season. However, according to top Heat insider Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the infamous notion that the front office “likes their team” has not changed.
“The Heat’s perception of its team, as explained by people with direct knowledge, is that they have a very good roster that can play with anyone when healthy.”
“Do they realize Boston is loaded and perhaps the most talented team on paper? Absolutely. They have immense respect for the Celtics and know that everyone in the East is chasing them. But they also know they beat the Celtics in a playoff series 15 months ago.”
”Does the Heat believe it could use another key player to boost its title chances? Yes. But the organization also believes it has a contender if the roster is healthy and everyone plays to his potential.”
The biggest and most clear concern that the legendary Riley addressed at his end of season press conference was indeed health concerns. It is hard to disagree with the fact that the Heat simply have not been able to reach their full potential because of injuries.
Miami hasn’t been just injured over the years, they have been arguably the most injury prone team in the entire association.
Outside of the core dealing with these problems, specifically Herro, Butler and Rozier a season ago, it has also even affected their supporting cast. Duncan Robinson suffered a serious back injury late last year, Kevin Love missed a decent amount of time… along with Caleb Martin.
A new season provides a fresh start and clean slate for everyone involved. But there should be no doubt that a core Heat squad that has reached two NBA Finals and an Eastern Conference finals in a five-year span, is capable of being a contender when healthy.
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If you have any interest, here is farewell game of Goran. Its on Slovenian national tv, so I think you can watch it from everywhere.
https://www.rtvslo.si/sport/kosarka/noc-zmaja/poslovilna-tekma-gorana-dragica/718932
great to see bosh playing again.what if bosh stayed healthy with baby james moving on he would have been a ss .he loved playing with the dragon he said
Another reason to be positive about the upcoming season.
https://allucanheat.com/posts/key-stats-jaime-jaquez-jr-way-to-miami-heat-stardom?utm_campaign=FanSided+Daily&utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email&sc=e0273490fd355e2c28bdb25751d41af65a4dd80936ff00a80be9866c97887955
The Heat are delusional. I have been away for awhile and I come back to absolute ridiculousness like this. Anyone can say that they like anyone’s “core” and anyone can buy it. But, I for one, have little to be excited about going into this season, unless another seventh or eighth seed and an early exit is thrilling to some people.
The team is lying to themselves. And Pat is over the hill, having gone from being one of the best to being one of the worst at his job. The only small solace for me will be being able to say I told you so by November.
I think you are very wrong. The Heat will be a good team this year with the potential to be a very good one. I guarantee you that if the team is not playing well by Christmas, changes will be made. Players who may immediately be on the chopping block if that happens are Butler, Herro, Robinson, Rozier, and Bryant.Either way, I’m not concerned. If they don’t produce…they are gone.
Meanwhile, I’m excited about the new guys like Ware, Larsson and Johnson as well as the continued improvement of Bam, Jaquez and Jovic. GO HEAT!!!
I always liked you and appreciate your glass half full attitude. But, it’s a bit of a stretch this time. Yes, the Heat have some nice players. But, so do many teams. Except,,there are now several teams in the East and a few more in the West that have better talent in that they have more good players.The mistake hometown fans often make, in every sport, is that it is in comparing lineups that you can gauge relative strength. That is where the Heat clearly fall short this year.
Of course the Heat like their core, what else are they going to say?
If jimmy was younger id be more excited about the core. Our roster compared to bost phily ny not gonna happen.I think we are in the second tier with indy orlando milw.Anything can happen in a season so we can take the angle that jaime will play at an all star level.Jimmy visited the fountain of youth.Bams offensive game takes a step.Rozier plays like he was before mysterious season ending injury.Ty and dunc improved defensively.Ware is the next lively No injuries .All the above happen heat can challenge for a ring.LGH
I’m not under any illusion that this year’s team is a top tier team…yet. However, there are many factors that go into making a successful team/season. I measure success by competitiveness, not necessarily if my team wins the championship every year. If they have a chance to compete, I’m good with that.
THINGS TO BE POSITIVE ABOUT
PLAYERS
Improved play of Bam, Jaquez, Jovic, Highsmith
Return of “Playoff Jimmy” looking for a max extension
Return of Herro with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove
Return of healthy Rozier, Robinson, Richardson and Love
Addition of Ware, Larsson and Johnson
DEPTH
I realize those are a lot of factors to consider. However, the team’s depth and experience allows for a 9-10 man rotation and many combinations of players (offense, defense, tall, small ball, youth, veteran, running, half-court, etc.).
This will also allow Spo to save players for big games and space minutes for key veterans out so they aren’t as susceptible to “burn out” and injuries during the course of a long NBA season.
It will also give Spo an opportunity to slowly work the rookies into the line-up as injuries occur and situations permit. I can see all three contributing throughout the year. I am particularly high on Ware, who I think should be part of the regular rotation early in the season and perhaps starting next to Bam by the playoffs.
SCORING/REBOUNDING
The team has four starters (Bam, Butler, Herro and Rozier) capable of averaging 20 PPG. They have another four (Jaquez, Richardson, Love and Robinson) who should average 10PPG, or more. Love and Ware are capable of averaging 6-8 RPG off the bench, to go with Bam’s 10+. Highsmith and Johnson are capable of being defensive stoppers.
TRADE ASSETS
Last but not least, using an expanded rotation and developing the rookies should give Miami plenty to bargain with if they look to make a big trade (or two) before the deadline.
Bottom line is…I am optimistic. You should be too!
GO HEAT!!!
I agree. Why does being hopeful suggest we are naive or, lol, delusional. I appreciate that the Heat might be a play-in team or as high as 5 or 6. They have potential and are getting younger. I’m looking forward to the season and watching them. Replacing Martin, Delon, and Mills with Ware, Burks, and Pelle is solid. Having Johnson, Christopher, and possibly Stevens waiting in the wings is also nice.
before season starts gotta be optomistic and take the optomistic approach.health health and more health.30 has decided to take the opposite approach.i will take the appropriate approach as the season goes on.
You guys are all my bros and I don’t think I know more than any of you, but I gotta give my honest take. And, I will add that a middling team like the Heat are often just one or at most two players away from significantly raising their chances in the offseason. My comments are something of a lament that we didn’t do that. To me, it seems like having Jimmy at this point in his career necessitates the attitude of going as much in as possible and I am disappointed. I hope we do way better than I think we are going to with our current squad. I will be hoping so along with the rest of you.
I believe we all wanted the Heat to do more this offseason, but we have to play the hand we’re dealt. Going into the second apron triggers really egregious penalties. I want to see if Herro stays healthy and lives up to his commitment to be in the best possible condition. Duncan only has 1 more season with fully guaranteed money. Butler will possibly be playing his last season in a Heat uniform. Changes are coming, perhaps later than sooner, but they are coming. If the team and its new players step up, they could make some noise this season.
I’m just trying to be positive about the players the team has. A few players are getting one last chance to prove themselves before they are traded. If they come to camp in shape and ready to play, if they can mesh as a team and if they can stay healthy, they will do well, maybe very well. If they can’t, several will be gone by next offseason, a few before the trade deadline.
I can’t wait for training camp…I’m especially interested in seeing if Butler looks like he’s ready to play up to his potential or if he is going to bring a “disruptive” attitude. It’s time for him to Lead…Follow…or Get the hell out of the way!
GO HEAT!!!
I’m with you, team is going nowhere fast and it’s getting annoying at this point. Running it back again and I knew health would be to blame. But was completely healthy vs Memphis when they trotted out players they got from their local grocery store, was also fully healthy vs Washington and lost. I bring up those 2 teams cause that was the difference in the standings and not being a playin team but there they were again. And like I’ve said since the season ended this team gonna go as far as Jimmy takes them, he comes in lackluster misses a game or 2 in during the opening week/or 2 then it’s gonna get ugly fast. A team takes on the identity of its best player, ours an aging injury prone part time player who will be another year older, banking on a 2nd year player (jjj) and a couple of rookies to be the difference is a recipe for disaster. For the millionth time the nba is a talent driven league Bos ny Philly 3 teams directly in Mia way stockpiled on said talent this year and last while Mia is running it back with a “healthy” team. 6th best team in the east if we’re being honest with ourselves but it’s not a lot of that going on around here lately
Ittakescouragetosaythetruth.Iamnotgettingspacesbetweenmywords.Butthanksfortellingitlikeitis..
30 to early for that.heat are heallthy at playoff time believe they can beat anybody in the east.
alrighty, its gonna be 6th to 10th seed for us then
Probably, but there is more of a chance the wheels could really come off this year than that things could come together and we are more competitive than we expect. If injuries crop up again, particularly to Jimmy, then things could seriously go south. I was an advocate for trading Jimmy this offseason, my feeling is that it’s the higher percentage move to use our assets best. It’s my opinion that what they are trying to do here is sort of not facing reality and pretending everything is going to be all right even though they made no appreciable upgrades, except possibly at center, and that may take a year or two to fully develop. I believe that mistake will set us back even farther as we will get less back for a an injured or less effective Jimmy.
One good thing about sports is you get to see who was right.
Things can go in both directions, that’s true for Heat, but for any other team, too. Boston, for example, was incredibly healthy last year, put aside Porzingis, which was also available, when things matters. Every other team in the east faces injuries, which drastically changed the performance of teams.
Heat can be anywhere from 2-8 position, but realistically, if everything goes a s expected, is 6th place and first round exit after hard fight.
I m fine whit that. This is a transition year, where players like Herro, Jovic, JJJ should step up or get traded, and the year where to see if there is something left of Butler.
About competition. Philly looks stronger, as NY, but still, their big additions are PG13, which have a long history of failures, and Bridges, which was the third option in Phoenix.
Good, but not great players.
Real monsters with best players are still in the west, except Boston.
Injuries are not the new thing for Heat. As far I remember, they were a problem. . Years ago I blamed charlatan doctors on the team which didn’t know how to keep payers healthy.
Today, I think, the healthy problem is related to Heat culture. Heavy training makes players stronger, faster, fitter, but also more fragile.
So injuries are here to stay.
I think all of the switching that Miami does on defense is really the culprit for a lot of our injuries. I wish we would play more of a drop coverage during the first half of the season and then switch it up after the all-star break. Of course, that’s just not the Miami Heat way… So, I concur that injuries are indeed here to stay.
Might be something about it. I wonder there if there is statistics available, how much players are moving in the defense. Should be interesting comparison between teams.
Looks like Tyler’s not going anywhere. Yet.
Yep, I like the (healthy) lineup run it back core and the supporting players. Also I could see that “core” expanding to Terry and Jaime this season. Hope I’m right 😁💪🏻🏀
Season starts in two months. I hope they’re right!
I think Miami’s management and players should have the opportunity to see what a healthy Heat team can do. I believe the team is stronger than last year after the addition of Ware, Larsson, Johnson and others as well as with the continued development of Jaquez, Jovic and Highsmith. If Butler, Herro, Robinson, Rozier, Love and Richardson come back from their injury-shortened seasons with positive attitudes and determination, I believe the Heat can be very competitive.
If, for any reason, the team gets off to a rocky start and various rotation players do not play up to expectations, I expect a re-tooling/rebuilding process and the trading of any players who do not fit Miami’s long-term plans, prior to the trade deadline. The players who I think Riley will be looking at especially closely prior to the trade deadline are Butler, Herro, Robinson and Rozier.
Best of luck boys! I can’t wait to see what you’ve got!
GO HEAT!!!
A lot of ifs, but also a whole lot of potential. We lost 3 players – Martin, Delon, and Mills. We added 3 players – Ware, Burks, and Pelle. That is a net gain of talent. Ware will be the best backup center we’ve had since, yes, Bam. He should be a needle mover. And we all look forward to seeing him paired with Bam. Burks wasn’t a sexy pickup, but he’s a 6’6” guard who can handle the point, is a 3 level scorer, and a fair defender. Before his most recent stint with the Knicks, he shot over 40% 3p% 5 years straight. Pelle has shown some nice skills, but likely will see little playing time, at least early in the season.
Jaquez, Jovic and Highsmith should improve this year. Remember, we haven’t had the top 8-9 players healthy together at the same time. I think they can be effective if they are all healthy and have the right attitude/edge when the season starts. That doesn’t include Ware and Larsson.
We are dues paying members of the GHF Society (glass half full). I’m looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.
Amen brother!
So does Pelle have to outplay Highsmith to crack the rotation?
No. He just has to wait his turn.
Pelle is a 6’6” solidly built sg, while Highsmith is a 6’5” (go figure) sf or pf. Since it’s two different positions, they aren’t really competing. Until the glut of guards is addressed, Pelle likely will see little playing time early on. It doesn’t appear that a Herro trade, or any trade, is on the horizon. But AUCH proposed this:
Miami Heat receive: Julius Randle, Miles McBride
Sacramento Kings receive: Kyle Kuzma
New York Knicks receive: Jonas Valanciunas, Corey Kispert, 2027 first-round pick (via Kings) 2028 second-round pick (via Heat), 2031 second-round picks (via Heat)
Washington Wizards receive: Tyler Herro, Kevin Huerter, Devin Carter, Jericho Sims
Randle and McBride for Herro and 2 second round picks? Make no sense plus it puts Miami over the second apron. What is Washington going to do with Poole and Herro. What are the folks over at AUCH smokin?