First Half:
This wasn’t a typical game for the Heat, with a mix of cheers and jeers following Jimmy’s tribute and introduction, both teams would go to work with the Heat drawing first blood on a Burks three. Bam slammed it on Jimmy seconds later, while inadvertently elbowing Draymond in the face (so real first blood was drawn by Bam, I guess).
The Warriors struggled to score early, letting the Heat go up 7-0. Miami ran the offense through Bam for much of the first quarter. At times this season, it’s seemed like Bam just wasn’t much of a contributor, so feeding him early paid dividends. Still, things were slow and chippy but eventually Herro, Burks and Wiggins got it going to boost the Heat offense. Miami’s defense was locked in, getting some big stops early and racking up some highlight reel defensive plays in the process.
The Warriors’ reserves allowed the Warriors to pull back at the end of the first as they got hot from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Heat offense stalled briefly, but Bam would keep it afloat with some beautiful buckets. The Heat would go into the second quarter up six. The Warriors continued to shoot well from three, and stay within striking distance – but with the Heat getting signs of life out of Tyler Herro, it would stay ahead. Miami continued to excel on defense, protecting the paint and keeping Jimmy away from his signature buckets.
The Heat played to its size advantage, leveraging Kel’El Ware for some highlight plays. He hasn’t had his best outings as of late, but I still think Ware will be a major difference maker for the Heat moving forward.
The Heat built a really strong lead, and didn’t take its foot off the gas heading into the second half. With Bam hitting threes, Ware doing damage in the paint, and Wiggins scoring in bunches, Miami was firmly in the driver’s seat. Unfortunately, turnovers caused a Warriors 7-0 run, making things slightly uncomfortable. The Heat would regain its bearings in the final two minutes, playing lock-down defense, scoring well on offense, bringing a 17-point lead into halftime off a Herro buzzer-beater three. All while keeping Butler to 2 points on 1/6 shooting.
Second Half
Bam showed no signs of slowing down to start the third, opening things with a big slam that would be followed up with another AB three. Bam looked relentless, delivering on both ends. The Warriors wouldn’t roll over with Jimmy finding some offense and chipping away at the Heat’s lead. Wiggins was exceptional, scoring well and playing hard-nosed defense against his former team.
Ware also continued to be solid, and he did this!
The Heat entered the fourth quarter with a thirteen-point lead, but the Warriors were firmly on its heels. With Miami’s tendency to blow leads, things were anything but stable, but a Mitchell buzzer-beater three certainly helped.
Mitchell would continue to be tenacious starting the fourth quarter with a pick-six and an and-one. Miami’s reserves were all contributing with Slo-Mo, even scoring in transition. The Heat and Warriors would go back and forth, but things largely stayed consistent (including the boos from the Heat crowd every time Jimmy touched the ball). Herro’s quiet night got louder as he hit a couple of big threes to get his point total up to twenty.
Bam also continued his impressive night, showcasing some impeccable footwork for some beautiful buckets. The Heat just didn’t stop, sharing the ball well and getting contributions from everyone on the floor. This limited the risk of its signature scoring droughts and helped starve the Warriors out down the stretch.
Jimmy has been having some great games as of late, but this game really echoed his recent outings in the Kaseya Center when he was doing everything he could to get traded. The Heat needed this win, and the fan base needed this win after everything that’s gone down since Christmas Day. Impressive all around.
***
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Really good take on the game from Nic Rohloff on his popular local podcast.
https://youtu.be/d7_D0z2RZmU?si=uPn0a4V8Ojc45Wfs
Several of us keep hoping that Spo will play the G Leaguers. What we tend to forget is that Keshad Johnson, although he started as and has been treated like a G Leaguer all season, IS NOT on a two-way contract. He has had a regular, 2 year, NBA contract, since December 26, 2024.
Johnson’s first year salary (prorated) is the equivalent of Larsson’s, who is a second round selection. His second year salary is the same as Larsson’s.
However, Larsson has played in 48 games a total of 595 minutes. Johnson has played in just 10 games (almost all during garbage time) a grand total of 57 minutes. WTF is wrong with that picture???
Johnson should be getting pretty pissed off right about now and looking forward to the expiration of his contract in the summer of 2026 in order to find employment on a team that will give him a chance to play. If Spo chose not to use him during the 10 game losing streak, when will he use him? It’s not like the Heat has a ton of very good two-way (offense and defense) rotation wing players built like Butler who can also play PF. What a waste!
I don’t know what Riley and Spo’s strategy is, but it really, really sucks!
Well, one thing for sure – this has been a very spirited, civil discussion. Many different points of view that all lead to the same conclusion: we love our team and want to see them succeed.
There are several excellent quotes in the roundtable discussion by ALLUCANHEAT staff regarding Jimmy Butler’s return to Miami last night. It’s worth the read.
Here are a couple of gems:
Q: Were you surprised at how Jimmy Butler was greeted by Miami Heat fans at Kaseya Center?
Daniel Riccio: I was expecting a lot of cheers considering how bad the Heat have looked since his departure. So I was a bit surprised to see the boos more audible than cheers on the broadcast. But after seeing how Jimmy acted throughout the night, he deserved all those boos and then some.
Q: Which of Butler’s quotes leading up to the big night bothered you the most?
Max Marshall: “I’m always painted as the bad guy. Everywhere I’ve been, I’m always the problem.” He quit on his teammates and threw his coach under the bus, but yet doesn’t get why people view him as the bad guy.
Q: What was the most memorable moment from Butler’s return night? Was there a moment that got you in the feels?
Daniel Riccio: The most memorable moment was the Bam Adebayo dunk over Jimmy early in the first quarter. The moment that got me in my feels, and potentially changed my entire opinion on Butler, was when he refused to acknowledge his former teammates after the game. I thought that really showed his true colors. To disrespect and blatantly ignore the guys that you battled in the trenches with during multiple NBA Finals runs like that says a lot.
https://allucanheat.com/jimmy-butler-miami-heat-return-roundtable-surprises-emotions?utm_campaign=FanSided+Daily&utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email&sc=e0273490fd355e2c28bdb25751d41af65a4dd80936ff00a80be9866c97887955
“I have to be careful how I say this since I have to fly home to Florida, and I want them to allow me in the state. I was embarrassed watching that and looking what the Heat fans did. To give a man who quit on you, he quit on them because he didn’t get paid by the Miami Heat, and I know he took them to two NBA Finals and everything he did was great for you, but to give that man a standing ovation, that bothered me dearly.”
~ Bobby Marks, ESPN ~
me2
I didn’t say it, he did. It’s a direct quote.
i doubt it was pats idea for the tribute prob came from mickey.theres a reason why keshods a g leaguer but i guarantee just with his athleticism and body type hed be better than the swedish sensation.maybe if he plays to much in nba they have to pay him more $$$.this is more of a riley scratcher than spo scratcher.doesnt our team look different w/o 55 and jjj
Like it or not, if Duncan is healthy, he’ll be back in the rotation. Guaranteed. The good news for you is it is entirely possible he will be gone after this season.
I would keep Burks on a team friendly contract to fill-in for the off the bench gunner role. Miami can either pay Duncan his partially guaranteed $9,888,000 and let him walk or sign him for the season @$19,988,000 and try to trade him.
this is the new heat team i am ready for nba playoffs f the tanking.not scared of anybody in east we will give them a hard time.tanking is for losers doesnt guarantee u sht
It sounds really good but the thinking is over optimistic. Beating the Warriors without Steff is not unlike beating Dallas or the Kings. It was a nice win but Steff is their best player, and he affects everything.
We often do this, think that by winning over a lesser team it means we can beat the good ones. There is a world of difference between the good teams and the mediocre ones. We are getting a little better with Ware emerging for sure now, and Mitchell and Wiggins getting comfortable. But, we still got a ways to go.
Correct. Most people are not suggesting that the team **deliberately** lose any games. A person vehemently criticizes the team, and regularly states that without Butler, they will be in play-in purgatory or worse for years to come now wants to charge into the playoffs because we might “win a game or 2”. This team does not yet have the talent to beat any elite team – east or west. We seem to be heading in the right direction but, as you accurately point out, we still have a ways to go.
If they win the next 10 in a row, so be it. But for any objective fan who wants to see this team have a chance for real improvement, getting 2 draft picks, including 1 lottery, is a good place to start.
I m more for play as hard as you can and what happens, happens.
If there will be playoff and combative first round exit, great. They cant go any higher. I m fine with 2 picks too, if they play their buts off before that.
Totally agree.
An excellent place to start.
We don’t have to tank and shouldn’t. But, I believe everything will work out for our draft pick.
Which is how I feel
Absolutely! Even if the Heat makes the playoffs and loses a pick this year, the team will still get a pick next year. However, it will likely not be a lottery pick like this year’s.
wares looking like ss potential.wiggy balling the f out.d mitch guarding everybody like it f tanking its for losers
we wouldn have won steph played but it would have been very competitive.few games ago would be blowout loss.losing dunc jjj is big for us also no terry pelle love lets fn go
You continue to make my case for me. The Warriors are not even a first tier team, and you admit we would not have beaten them if they had their best player. Therefore, we would not beat any of the elite teams if they are at full strength. Can we compete against most of the teams? Yes, it seems like these players are learning how to work together, but we will most very likely not be able to make any deep runs. Most people here are not talking about tanking, which, in my mind, is losing on purpose. No one on this blog has said more times than you about how you would like to have a player like this or a player like that and why can’t we get players like that, and at least a good part of the reason is that other teams, as I have pointed out, got some great high draft picks. Some of those same teams also got players like Donovan Mitchell or Fox using draft capital.
I get it. You don’t want the season to end after the next 10 games or so. I won’t be happy either. I miss the Miami Heat when the season ends. But I really want to see this team have an opportunity to get better so that we can be legitimate contenders for years to come.
for 70 games i have not seen ware and wiggy reach this level .if they can sustain this level or for wiggy close to it and with davion defense i like our chances in the east,it depends who spobot plays in players 5-8.if 55 jjj pelle or terry are in that group our team is worse i think the way we played last night with the rotation of players used we can give any team in east trouble.bam is really getting down his 3 pt shot and looking gr8 btw.ty is good for 20-25 every night why not rc take down bost cleveland why are they so much better please explain why,this is the new heat team w.o 55 jjj pelle terry.u dont think bam could lockdown tatum wiggins on jaylen ware on injurzingis.why rc why are they so much better than us
I don’t jump to a good or bad conclusion after 2 games. But you tend to do that. I kept saying don’t give up on Mitchell, you were saying he’s too small and didn’t see at first just how good he was. So many examples like that. Lets see what they do in these last 10 games. 5-5 or 4-6, let’s call it a season and get that nice pick. 6-4 or 7-3, they may overtake Chicago and get home court in the first play-in game. Keep winning and move on. I’m a fan. But, no, I don’t think they’re as good as Boston or Cleveland and I think that we will end up in a similar position that we did last season as a first round exit. I do, however, think they can be more competitive now than at any time during the season. I also think that as long as Duncan is healthy, he will be in the rotation. I don’t think Jaquez or Rozier will be. Those two top teams have been playing very good ball for at least two seasons now. And, one more thing, SunMan and others have also said that getting the high draft pick might really help the Heat a lot. Why do you think we are all wrong about that? Anyway, we’re about to find out what this team is going to do, so whatever happens, happens.
You are so funny. You’re like the human definition of wearing one’s heart on their sleeve. As one who occasionally tends to over-emote myself, I appreciate your mercurial highs and lows.
Lol, I get it too. We love this team.
“We often do this, think that by winning over a lesser team it means we can beat the good ones.”
We don’t often do this. Some often do this.
A subtle distinction
They call me Mr. Subtle… or Kermit the Frog.
Ribbit……
didnt just beat them blew them out.diff rotation.helped immensely.
Hell yeah man, Jimmy no jimmy **** it we ball
I disagree heat. Miami has it’s hands more than full trying to get out of the play-in round…much less beating Cleveland or Boston in the first round. Let’s see, if they play hard and lose play-in they get a lottery pick with a shot at a top 4 player. If they barely get out of play-in they lose their 2025 pick to OKC and get their asses kicked in first round like last year Hmm? Tough choice. Plus, if they did as well as you suggest then wouldn’t that confirm what a great job Riley and Spo are doing? Asking for a friend
if 55 jjj terry play thats an l.last night.slo mo burks hh solid nba players no duncan defense weaknesses,u dont blow out a team like that with those 3 stiffs gettingminutos
Winning for the sake of feeling good rather than adding talent to this team which it desperately needs (chance at a top 4 pick) is as insane as pat Riley’s running it back 6 years straight
Next, Jase Richardson, sg (dad is Jason):
A rare off-game from Jase Richardson against New Mexico won’t set off any alarms. Part of the reason he’d become so well regarded was because of his consistency. Even without a high-usage role, he had been a reliable source for shotmaking, finishing and high-energy plays.
It’s also become clearer by the month that he offers more creativity than the early numbers suggest. While he’s been incredibly efficient off the ball, he’s also been one of the nation’s most efficient ball-screen scorers thanks to his feel on drives, elite finishing and 49.1 percent pull-up shooting.
just need pg,we got 4 solid starters
I will copy and paste the evaluation of two of the players that would be possible for Miami with the #8 pick. First is Jeremiah Fears:
Despite an early NCAA tournament exit for Oklahoma, Jeremiah Fears had 20 points against Connecticut and finished the year strong enough to solidify himself in this year’s lottery discussion.
With the speed and shiftiness he uses to create, and the tough three-level shotmaking flashes, teams will be looking at Fears as a potential high-level starting point guard.
The main questions ask whether he’ll improve his shooting and decision-making, but for an 18-year-old with a heavy workload and elusiveness that passes the NBA eye test, he’s made enough threes, pull-ups and setup passes for teams to bet on his development.
being good in college doesnt mean diddly in nba.id rather have an experienced pg
Give me a combination Exum,Joseph,Paul,Jones,Hayes, and a rookie . We badly need shot creators .
Most of the great players in the NBA were good in college. It does count for something, my friend.How many times have you written that you want this player or that player? Do you think these players grow on trees? It is true that not every player is recruited from college, the vast majority are, and the greatest players in the league have come from one college or another. Look it up.
Fox – Kentucky. Mitchell – Louisville. Cunningham – Oklahoma State. Shai – Kentucky. Edwards – Georgia.
There are exceptions like LeBron, Luka, Jokic, but most come from college.
No matter how hard you try to believe the draft doesn’t matter – it does. Just look at the roster of any team you admire.
of course most come from college point is for every ware bam ty theres a beasley minor precious winslow all the latter ones were good to great in college to.how many from sweden lol
Lol, where do you think most of the experienced point guards came from???
Like a lot of you said, we played well because we played our best players and only them. We only played eight till the end and that may be asking too much of them. Maybe Jovic can bring something as he will be back any day. But, Jovic may be like JJJ, almost, but not quite good enough. We need to find out. Too bad about Terry, Love, and Dunc, and probably JJJ too, but we need to make room for two new guys.
And, with ten games left and despite this win, nothing to play for, I would like to see if our top GLeaguers could extend our roster beyond eight guys.
I will reiterate that we are still only a play-in team, and won’t make it beyond there this year. But, last night we got a glimpse of what should be a bright future. We are a point guard and another high level scorer away. The draft will give us at least one answer, but it may take a trade to get that last addition.
Its not easy. A good point guard needs year to develop. So I believe it has to be a trade for a good point guard. And probably also for a good frontcourt scorer.
That’s so true. Look at Ware, or Bam. It took some time for both. Ware will likely be better by next year than he is now. It will be the same for our draftees.
to bad about terry love jjj dunc.to bad theyre bad
Again, on the mark here. As previously mentioned, we need a combination of 1 very good, perhaps star potential, pick, 1 solid rotation pick like backup pf/c, and a smart trade or 2.
What a difference a year makes
Last year, the Detroit Pistons were in 15th place in the Eastern Conference and had the worst record in the NBA.
This year, the Detroit Pistons are in 6th place in the NBA Eastern Conference, 2 games behind 4th place Indiana.
Last year, the Detroit finished 14-68, (54 games under .500).
Last year, the Miami finished 46-36 (10 games over .500).
This year, with 9 games to go, Detroit is 41-32 (9 games over .500)
This year, with 10 games to go, Miami is 31-41 (10 games under .500)
Last year, Detroit finished 32 games behind Miami (14-68 vs 46-36)
This year, Miami is 9.5 games behind Detroit (31-41 vs 41-32)
That is a swing of 41.5 games in just one season, so far. WTF?
what happens when u dont play ware the whole year .jimmy quits .terry jjj blow.diff team now.im pumped to give some team problem in playoffs.play the right fkn guys damit
NOPE!!
Cunningham pick #1
Duren pick #13
Ivey pick #5
Thompson pick #5
Average age of those players – 22.
High draft picks – THAT’S how Detroit got there.
And AGAIN, Butler quit on the team LAST season, not this one. He was pissed that he didn’t get the extension. Tennis matches were more important.
It’s also how Oklahoma, Memphis, Houston, Cleveland, and, some years back, Boston got there. All those teams scored on draft picks in the lottery.
i think we can beat detroit. when u have athletes like thompson and injured ivey u cant have any negative defenders on fn ct except the great ty ware bam wiggy ty as good as their top 4 rc
That is a very silly statement. Like, I read that last line a few times and it didn’t make any sense at all, and then I tried reading it again in a Kermit the Frog voice, and suddenly it worked.
Are you secretly Kermit the Frog?
Nobody gets an award for “record as compared to Detroit.” Yes, Detroit is doing well this year, and we’ve had some back-sliding. We’ve gone through some “personnel issues” this year, and honestly it’s impressive that we’re still even a play-in team. But Detroit doing well doesn’t change how Miami is doing. There isn’t a swing of 41.5 games. That’s so far removed from meaningful analysis that it’s like saying that George Washington and George Bush have the same first name, so they must be the same person.
Unless I’m wrong? Did they come up with an award for “record as compared to Detroit” while I wasn’t paying attention? Is this the new in-season tournament?
Actually, that might liven things up. Anyone have Adam Silver’s phone number?
I’m sorry, I should have elaborated so everyone can understand.
Detroit did it by signing and trading for several journeymen players (e.g. Harris, Beasley, Hardaway, Reed, Schroeder, etc.) and by the continuing development of their young players. With the upcoming draft, free agency, expiring contracts and development of our younger players, there’s no reason Miami can’t do the same thing within 1-2 years.
Is that better?
she must of had a tough day at the office lebron
Could be IBS.
i think this is a great analysis as always.by the lebron james of hhh 40 game swing wow hats off to detroitl but can u give me dets record last 20 years.no thanks to that a few down heat years would be hard to take.be competitive every year give me 3 hrs of eric reid and a good to great team which the heat have been for 30 years and im good.id like to meet rc and 30 in july but chatting with my heat bros will have to do for now.sunman keep em coming enjoy every post u give us.rc is the d wade of hhh.30 is the chris bosh.i am the duncan robinson of hhh .(should not be posting)
That is genuinely funny! I see you more as the Spo component, because you are a knowledgeable nuts and bolts, rotation setter, no nonsense guy. Then we can call you Heatbot.
Don’t be so hard on yourself heat. I wouldn’t say Duncan Robinson. More of the good version “Playoff Jimmy” than the bad “Evil Jimmy” he has become.
i say if kelel ware plays from day 1(rc disagees) the quitter doesnt quit on us.major mistake by eric.dude was ready from day 1 basketballs basketball see ball block ball,see rim put ball in rim.dudes a baller he has great instincts.makes very few bonehead mistakes.he was good to go from day 1.just needs little more davion muscle on that tall frame of his
Yup, I, and several others disagreed that Ware should start on day 1, and he didn’t. Early on, he looked lost out there and out of position, particularly on defense. Oh, and by the way, Butler quit on this team the season BEFORE Ware got here.
jovic hh 1st team all stars better than ware?
Heck no, but the #8 pick may be as good or better than any player currently on this roster. We got Ware at 15.
Thats the problem. Ware is everything we could ask for, but he is still rookie, and not a player which makes the team a lot better.
The same will be the next year.
If we relay on rookies, the contention can begin in 2027 at earliest.
If there will be picks, I believe, it will be traded.
Sure, but if the pick or picks get you a solid #1 option, then getting the picks is still a very good choice
We are still talking about the rabbit in the hole.
In a month everything will be clear and a long summer in front of us.
Patience is a virtue. Miami can’t really construct the optimal team until the contracts for several players expire in 2026.
great great great pick skys the limit with him wemby jr looking like
May I remind you that early on you questioned whether he was as good as Bryant?
RC don’t forget s**t.
Can’t believe Wiggins had only 10 points, looked more like 18 points.
So true.
Great game. They were all good, but Mitchell won us this one with a steal at the start of the 4th qt. If GS would score once or twice then, it would be a close game.
Still, nothing change. This team is a good point guard and another good frontcourt scorer away from a good team.
Exactly, we need that. But, the front court scorer has to be a number one type option.
Somebody missed Jimmy, eh?
I look forward to hearing from Big Guy, who was at the game tonight (or any of you who were there). The atmosphere was pretty electric and it was funny to hear the boos rain down when Butler touched the ball.
It feels good to see the guys finally feeling comfortable in their roles and playing cohesively as a unit. Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen how bad this team can be. In the past 2 games, we’ve had a glimpse of just how good it can be.
I am very impressed with Mitchell. He reminds me of a tough bulldog, like Marcus Smart with a better motor. I don’t think he has ever been put in a role in the NBA that fits him to a tee like Miami does. The team’s tough minded defensive philosophy is right up his alley. I sure hope the Heat can work out a multiple year deal with him. He’s far too valuable to lose.
I think this summer is the opportunity for the Heat to begin a quick re-tooling/ rebuilding process, Hopefully, Miami gets 2 draft picks (one a #8-#10 lottery pick, or better) and are able to select 2 quality players who can get their feet wet in 2025-2026 and be ready to soar in 2026-2027. As RC suggested, if they are lucky and get a top four pick, they could spell real trouble for a number of NBA teams by next season. Several contracts will be expiring by the summer of 2026. Returning the core, plus Mitchell and Burks, the two new draft picks and the players on rookie and two-way contracts who are worth keeping, the Heat can be in a very good position to make a splash in the 2026 free agency and/or trade markets and return to contender status by 2026-2027.
Mitchell, Wiggins, Highsmith, Bam and Ware make a pretty good defensive closing unit. Add Johnson to that group (if he ever gets a chance to show what he has) and they could be formidable.
I’m feeling better now that we’ve finally had the chance to see the Heat at their best. They aren’t as good as OKC, Cleveland or Boston, yet, but they could definitely be in a position to compete with the league’s elite teams by the opening game in October 2026.
I’m looking forward to seeing the team’s progress in the coming months and the development of the younger players. Now is the time for patience by the fans and critical, analytical and strategic thinking by the team’s management. If this situation is handled properly, it could be the beginning of a very successful stretch for Miami.
Watching Butler seeing what a diamond in the rough the Heat have found in Kel’el Ware, the thought occurred to me that he probably wonders how things would have worked out if he had seen Ware as a starter before he quit on the team. He must now realize that the additions of Ware and Mitchell are helping transform Miami into a better team than the one he walked away from. On second thought, who GAF what that greedy, egotistical @$$hole thinks. I hope GS barely makes the play-in round so Miami can get the highest pick possible from them.
P.S. GO HEAT!!
https://youtu.be/aYlD6lIv8Bs?si=Rbj3KmaBdnYuvTOz
The post game interviews. Wiggins is a breath of fresh air. Very humble and mellow.
How many times in 36 years did the Heat have a top 8 pick? 4. Rice, Smith, Wade, and Beasley. A pick in that range can be a franchise altering player. Not always, but your odds are better in that range. And, did you know that the #8 pick has a 26% chance of moving into the top 4, and a 6% chance of getting the #1 pick? So, it would be nice to have a 1 in 4 chance to get a top four pick.
I agree with you 100% RC.
Thanks. I was thrilled with how they played tonight and we appreciate what Bam, Ware, Herro, Wiggins, Mitchell bring to the table. I just think we need a little more to be a top team.
A little more to be respectable. A lot more (via draft, trade, free agency and player development) to be an elite team
Good win.
A good way for the players to show that the players are ready to move on from the Butler era.Noticeable Duncan and Love were out.
Congrats Heat.!!
Yes, and JJJ. And Terry. The rotations were tightened up. We only went eight deep and that may not be sustainable. Maybe Jovic can be nine. Or maybe a GLeaguer.
waiting for sunmans evaluation thats all that counts for me.my thoughts dont mean sht
It’s there.
first time all year spo played the right players and sat or injured player didnt play.repeat the process and better results are forthcoming.man andrew wiggins is blossoming into a real good player ditto ware ditto davion welcome newbys to ty and bams world well needed help.hh burks slo mo in reserve are all defenders.loved this team we saw today hopefully spo stays with these guys for the rest of season.
You are funny. Just a couple of days ago, you said something like “lol, gsw misses Wiggins “ as in they don’t miss him. I answered that they did, in fact, really like Wiggins, not because he’s a nice guy, but because he’s a nice contributor.
Bottom 5 east teams really suck. It seems Heat will take that #10 spot, highest might be #9 and Heat will still be the best play-in team. And im torn between tanking (secretly) for that first rd pick and making a run at the playoffs.
fk tanking play right players could give anybody in east a problem anybody
Boston? Cleveland? No way says I. Knicks? Pacers? Even Detroit? Or Banchero Orlando? Maybe, but I doubt it. We win a game against a good team without their best player and another against a bottom feeder, and you’re ready for the finals.
I hope they play their best, go 5-5 the rest of the way, and lose in the play-in. If we make the playoffs and lose the pick, let’s see who the #8-11 picks are and how they impact their team. Many here will be absolutely howling. This team will be in the play-in for the 3rd year in a row. If we had the current roster from the start, I think we could have been the 5 or 6 seed, but not a serious contender.
ware on porz(who will prob be hurt) bam on tatum wig on jaylen dawg on older jrue.ty on white .i think we get a game or 2.boston has pp off the bench not much else.clvev mobley allen bam ware.wiggy on hunter dawg on the better mitchell and ty on darius ,i like our chances for a game or 2 in playoffs.knicks when healthy might have the best 5 in east,still with dawg ware wig and our twin towers get a game or 2.this is a new heat team rc.forget about the first 70 games with stiffs liketerry dunc pelle jjj love,play the right guys we are a good team.slomo hh burks get the scrub minutos.but knowing our robotic coach 55 will get his minutos and points for our opponents will become much easier to get
You are making my point for me – a game or two against this team, a game or two against that team. Sure, that can happen, and then we would be back home watching the other teams on TV. And we would lose that draft pick. We get a draft pick that high on an average of once every nine years. And, assuming that we will be a better team next season, and make the playoffs, the best draft pick we could hope for would be #15 or lower. You often say “ why can’t we get a player like Oklahoma or Cleveland?”. Often, the answer is because those teams got high draft picks.
Hard to tell. The #7-10 are all within striking distance of each other. We can’t go above 7, or below 10.
This may be pre-mature, but I’m really feeling up for another 8-seed-to-finals run…
It’s a nice thought, but a lot more unlikely than last time. And if they make the playoffs, they will lose a truly golden draft opportunity. I want to see them play hard each game, but also would love to see them get a top ten pick.
Riley: Don’t worry I just like to see Jimmy lose this game then we’re back to get that top lottery pick 😝
For me if we miss the 1st round pick, then it has been a wasted 2026 preseason.
That is a very silly statement. Like, I read that a few times and it didn’t make any sense at all, and then I tried reading it again in a Elmo’s voice, and suddenly it worked. Are you secretly Elmo?
BTW, I hate to be the one who breaks it to you, but this version of the Heat would be lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it) to make it out of the play-in round. It has just about as much chance of making a finals run as Jimmy Butler calling Riley crying and apologizing for being an asshole and begging to come back.
P.S. What you folks up there smoking these days? Do you have any more?
We’re so back
Boy, that felt so good!