The Miami Heat’s Future Is White Hot
Despite not making the playoffs, the Miami Heat will gear up for a positive offseason and future.
The Miami Heat were the most exciting team to watch this 2016–17 NBA season.
Flaming hot take? As if.
Against all odds, the South Beach squad managed to finish out the year with a record of 41–41. After failing to sign “whale” Kevin Durant. After losing Dwyane Wade to the Chicago Bulls and Chris Bosh to blood clots. After signing a bunch of so-labeled nobodies, to one and two-year contracts. After going 11–30 by January.
11–30.
2016–17 consisted of one-handed, mid-air catch-blocks by Hassan Whiteside.
Brutal posterizations, courtesy of James Johnson.
A high-flying Tyler Johnson.
Buzzer-beater performances by Dion Waiters.
And an all-around mind-blowing level of basketball from Goran Dragic.
There was the Heat’s 13-game winning streak, culminating in Okaro White being the only undefeated player in the league. Victories over the likes of the Golden State Warriors. Record-breaking three ball.
Still don’t think Miami had a spectacular season? Well, you’re just a hater then.
It’s true the Heat didn’t manage to make the playoffs this time around. With the Bulls also going 41–41 and holding the tie-breaker, the team fell to ninth in the Eastern Conference.
But as disappointing as missing the postseason is, it’s hard to hold it against them. Yes, even though their abysmal loss to the New York Knicks is partially to blame.
Because this year, Miami made the impossible… possible. The Heat managed to exceed the expectations of even someone like me, who had been steadily preaching the organization’s success since the first day of 2016–17 training camp. Wade or not. Injuries be damned.
And what’s more? Fans should undoubtedly expect an even better 2017–18.
Although free agency doesn’t officially begin until July, both management and players themselves have already started talking about their hopes moving forward.
Take Johnson for example, who has already offered to take a paycut in order to keep part of the roster intact.
“It’s not always greener on the other side. That’s the only thing that’s going on in the back of my head right now. I might not have the same opportunities that I had this year to get out the box and to play the way that I can …Who knows if I can get that in another city? Money has nothing to do with that. I love basketball. I love the game and I love it here.
I’m home. That’s what it feels like. I love it here. We had a great season. I love the culture here. I’m very passionate about this place.”
A sentiment that Waiters wholeheartedly agrees with.
“You really can’t determine those type of things. I can’t predict the future. The only thing I can do is just be around … I really don’t try to look too far. It’s only April. That stuff will come around in July. When it does come around, we’ll sit down and take care of it.”
Adding that he would do “whatever it takes” to remain in South Beach, including taking less money.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra would love nothing more than for these guys to return, too.
“Hopefully this is dot, dot, dot continued and we can build on this. But all those discussions are literally months away… We feel this group yes [can be championship caliber team].”
As for the front office? What’s that saying about a picture being worth a thousand words?
And it doesn’t seem like Justise Winslow is going anywhere anytime soon either.
“I don’t want the focus on how many threes he makes,” said Spoelstra regarding Winslow’s future. “He will make enough. He is dedicated enough to work on them. It will be about getting into world class shape, getting healthy so he can make all the plays he needs that impact and help your team win. It will be my job to put him in spots where he can be efficient and find small victories and build on those right away.”
Now obviously, management will still want to make some changes, to ensure growth in certain areas. In other words, while re-signing guys like Johnson and Waiters will be a priority, President Pat Riley may have to part ways with others like Luke Babbitt and Wayne Ellington. Especially since the Heat will have some financial flexibility once they get Bosh’s salary off the books, just in time to look at some outside free agents.
It will certainly be hard to see any part of this close-knit group go, but one must have faith in the culture of Miami Heat Basketball, above all else.
All hail The Godfather himself.
Miami’s turnaround this year was impressive, to say the least. But just wait. It’s comeback season, folks. The White Hot tour: coming this fall, to a city near you.
