When last we saw our men in red and black, they were losing to the marginal Toronto Raptors in a play-in game they lost by one point. On a contested play which, quite frankly, could have gone either way. Was Heat center Bam Adebayo fouled? Maybe.

Maybe not. In the end, would it have mattered? No, because the play-in game winners almost invariably are the sacrificial lambs of the NBA playoffs, and are routinely dispatched in the first round (and yes, Toronto would go on to lose in seven games to Cleveland). A 43-39 record and the fourth consecutive season where they did not win more than 46 games.

Another average result for a proud franchise accustomed to having a say in the post season. Now what? Well, if you’re Patrick James Riley and your standards are high, you aim to add a difference maker. And boy did he.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak. The alphabet. He’s #7 in your program and hopefully #1 on the stat sheets and in your hearts.

Milwaukee’s loss is Miami’s gain, as Riley and company persuaded the two-time MVP to bring his considerable talents to South Florida.

He´s listed as a power forward, but at times he moves his 6-11 frame like a point guard gobbling up giant chunks of floor space, like a point guard running a fast break. Except he´s bigger, faster, and has an inside post-game ideally suited to partner with resident Heat big man Bam Adebayo, in what looks to be an impenetrable interior defense. Add to that, complimentary pieces in returning small forward Andrew Wiggins, and newcoming sharp shooters Tim Hardaway, Jr. and former Warrior Klay Thompson, and you have the makings of a formidable squad.

Problem is other Eastern conference teams didn’t stand pat (pardon the pun). You already have the defending champion New York Knicks, lead by instant icon Jalen Brunson; the Boston Celtics who traded away stalwart guard Jaylen Brown and received Paul George in return, but still have a talented team featuring perennial all-star Jason Tatum; and the big enchilada, the Philadelphia 76ers, who traded for the aforementioned Brown, but then capped a dizzying off-season by signing Lebron James to a two-year deal to play back East.

Yeah, that Lebron James. Not to mention very competitive teams in Cleveland, Detroit and Atlanta — and suddenly, the Heat´s big moves look positively pedestrian compared to their rivals.

And then there’s this: the Godfather, aka Mr. Riley, is 81 years old. His teams have been eliminated either in the play-in or first round games for the last four years. Whatever championship window PJR and the gang hope to open with the Giannis signing, will close quickly if they aren´t careful. Antetokounmpo played only 36 games last year because of injuries; might his 32-year-old body have more mileage on it than his age would suggest? Then what? Rebuild for the future?

Heat Central has already shown they’re about as attracted to that option as they are their next dental appointment, so, no — it’s Giannis and company or bust for these guys.

So fellow Heatians, hang on and see where the ride takes us. Let´s tip it off!