Let’s continue with the second part of our preview series almost four weeks before the start of the new NBA season! Also included today: Will the Heat catapult themselves into the realm of the top teams in the east? Can the Knicks build on the successful previous season? And how happy are the Pistons fans with their summer?
In our ten-part preview series, we’ll take an in-depth look at each team three at a time, starting today with the early representatives from the Eastern Conference. Here is part one with the Warriors, Grizzlies and Timberwolves.
NBA Season Preview MIAMI HEAT
Miami Heat: The Transactions
newcomers
- Trade: Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors)
- Free Agency: P.J. Tucker (Milwaukee Bucks), Markieff Morris (Los Angeles Lakers), Caleb Martin (Charlotte Hornets)
departures
- Trade: Goran Dragic, Precious Achiuwa (beide Toronto Raptors)
- Free Agency: Andre Iguodala, Nemanja Bjelica (beide Golden State Warriors), Trevor Ariza, Kendrick Nunn (beide Los Angeles Lakers)
Miami Heat: The most important statistics 2020/21
| Bilanz Regular Season | Offensiv-Rating | Defensiv-Rating | Net-Rating |
| 40-32 (6th place in the East) | 110,6 (18.) | 110,7 (10.) | -0,1 (17.) |
Miami Heat: Strategy in the offseason
In one respect, the Heat left no doubts about this offseason: Miami wants to follow up on the surprising finals run in 2020 with a delay of one year after the past season was rather of manageable success. For this, team president Pat Riley put all his chips on the table.
The guiding principle for the summer was all-in, which was implemented in the form of a sign-and-trade for the best available free agency player: Kyle Lowry. The Heat also signed Tucker and Morris (HeatCulture, I hear you trapping) and bagged contract extensions with Jimmy Butler and Duncan Robinson.
Riley doesn’t care that Miami could face ugly consequences aka punishment by the league (the investigation is still ongoing) as a result of the Lowry deal. Lowry and the other signings are excellent fits, especially on defense, which will be the Heat’s hobbyhorse. Miami is one of the big winners of the offseason, laying the groundwork for an attack in the east. But is that enough for the top?
Miami Heat: The Vulnerabilities
The shooting was already a problem child, especially in the potential starting frontcourt with Butler, Tucker and Bam Adebayo, the classic three-person experts are not gathered to widen the field. Also, some key pillars of the team are relatively old, will they stay healthy throughout the season?
If the answer is “no,” the depths might cause some Heatles to frown. Above all, there is no additional playmaker behind Lowry and Butler, Nunn’s departure could still hurt. Perhaps the Heat are also pinning their hopes on Tyler Herro, who should take the next step after a mixed sophomore season.
The Miami Heat roster
| Point Guard | Shooting Guard | Small Forward | Power Forward | Center |
| Kyle Lowry | Duncan Robinson | Jimmy Butler | P.J. Tucker | Bam Adebayo |
| Gabe Vincent | Tyler Herro | KZ Okpala | Markieff Morris | Dewayne Dedmon |
| Victor Oladipo * | Max Strus | Caleb Martin | Udonis Haslem | Omer Yurtseven |
| Marcus Garrett |
*still injured at the start of the season
Miami Heat: The hopeful
Or on Victor Oladipo. While he’s not the classic hopeful (like Adebayo, a hitting Lowry, or franchise star Butler), the guard could play an important role in Miami’s hoped-for evolution from a good team to a very good one.
After quadriceps surgery in May and long-term injury concerns, the 29-year-old signed for the minimum ($2.4 million). Can the infamous Heat athletic trainers work wonders for Oladipo when he returns, expected in November? If he’s revived as a scorer and playmaker to All-Star levels, he could bring a new dimension to Miami.
Miami Heat: Fazit
However, this should not necessarily be expected. Nonetheless, the Heatles are better positioned than last year just by adding Lowry. But the Heat are not yet up to the level of the Bucks and Nets. You will probably even have to classify yourself behind the Sixers as the fourth power in the east.
With the combination of defense, experience and young talent, Miami is well positioned to take advantage of any weak phases in the competition. But sooner rather than later, the Heat will have to hope for an opening door of the basketball gods for a title attack. In the years to come, the team will grow old and expensive.