One of the dangers of being so successful for so long is that often teams (and organizations in general) are often reluctant to admit when it’s time to break down a successful formula and start over. To that end, we bring you exhibit A, the Miami Heat.
For years seen as the area’s sports franchise gold-standard for excellence, and led, arguably, by one of the two most influential people in NBA league history (Boston’s Red Auerbach being the other) in Pat Riley, the goals set by the team never waver. Win the title, or at the very least, be in the mix. Riley and his team would make the necessary moves; find the missing ingredients; locate, and develop that proverbial diamond in the rough; and despite previous success, they would be in the mix for title. And it worked. I mean, really worked. Three NBA titles in eight years, numerous deep runs in the playoffs, including two NBA Finals appearances in the last six years, but now they are showing signs of leaking oil. After losing to Denver in five games following the 2022-23 season, things began to unravel. Well actually, Jimmy Butler began to unravel. The cornerstone piece of Heat success decided he no longer wanted to be part of Heat culture, and forced his way out of town via trade. What followed has been a steady, but definite, decline in both the number of impact players and team success. Guys the organization thought could be the next alpha dog in the locker room, have simply not been up to the task.
Yes, Tyler Herro (when healthy) and Bam Adebayo are talented players, even potential All-Stars, but neither of them has that leadership gene. Pieces thought to be keys to success have either not developed (Jaime Jacquez, Terry Rozier) or are still in the development stage (Kel’el Ware, Nikola Jovic). Truthfully, the window for this present group having success may have closed when the Portland Trailblazers refused to deal Dameon Lillard to the Heat. Allegedly, the Heat were reluctant to include Tyler Herro as part of any deal, so Portland dealt Lillard to Milwaukee (he’s had mixed success there, and is recovering from a potential career-ending Achilles tendon injury) but the narrative was set; since then the Heat struggled to 46 and 37 wins, won the play-in series, only to be summarily soundly beaten in the first round of the playoffs.
Miami did make a significant move this past offseason when it acquired shooting guard Norman Powell from the Clippers, part of a deal which sent Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson to Utah. They also said goodbye to longtime sharpshooter Duncan Robinson, a terrific shooter, but limited in other parts of his game. It remains to be seen whether Powell, at age 32, can be the missing piece. Already Herro is out for two months with a foot injury, but he should be back by the first of the year – so until then, it’s ride or die with what they’ve got. Coach Erick Spoelstra is still considered an elite coach, and the front office will not, pardon the pun, stand “Pat.” So buckle up hoops fans, the eight-month odyssey is about to tip off. Will the local guys be in the mix? Who knows? But it’s going to be interesting.
Let’s tip it off!
