In this edition of OTBN's 30-In-30 NBA offseason previews, we look at the Miami Heat, a team that is looking to get back into contention after a year riddled with injury.
It is no secret that the 2022-23 season was an odd one for the Miami Heat. Barely finishing above .500 to making the NBA Finals as an 8-seed was rarefied air. This past season saw similar regular season success followed by minimal postseason success.
Of course, this past year's Miami team was without Jimmy Butler in the playoffs after a play-in knee injury diminished their hopes. But this year, Miami seems to be gearing up for one more run re-signing their star big man Bam Adebayo and hoping injuries do not derail any championship hopes.
Finding what went right and wrong with a team that feels like they never have valued the regular season will be tough to sort out. Jimmy Butler is entering his age-35 season coming off a significant knee injury, this team feels like they have more questions than answers looking ahead to the 2024-25 season.
What Went Wrong
Jimmy Butler and the Continued Struggles with the Miami Heat Offense
Miami has always been a team predicated on their defense and 'Heat Culture' grinding out victories. But when the aging star is seeing his role diminish year by year and the secondary pieces are not growing into primary pieces, the offense will continue to stagnate.
In the 2021-22 season, Butler's usage rate was 26.5%, 22-23 that decreased to 25.6%, to this past season down to 24%. Which is as expected with a 34-year old, 14-year veteran. But when Tyler Herro, the expected next primary option sees his usage jump to 28% last season, he averaged 20.8 points per game, up slightly from 20.1 the year prior and not seeing a significant increase in Field Goal Percentage.
21 points on 44% from the field is a very good second option in today's NBA, and Herro could continue to grow in his age-25 season. But the former lottery pick has yet to play over 70 games, which contributes to many of the Heat's offensive struggles.
With the offensive struggles, enter Terry Rozier, who the Heat acquired last season; and in his 31 games with the team, averaged over 16 points and hit 37% of his threes. He will be a key piece to get the Heat back into contention this upcoming season.
The Heat also added Alec Burks. A solid scorer off the bench who will now be on his eighth team in his 12-year career. Heat Culture might do the veteran good, and looking at the proposed rotation of Herro, Rozier, Butler, Jaquez, Adebayo, Jovic, Burks, Robinson, and Rookie Kel'el Ware, the Heat offense could be better than 21st in Offensive Rating barring any injuries.
What Went Right
Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr. were NOT Traded for Damian Lillard
Ask any Heat fan this time last offseason, and they would have been ready to deal incoming rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. and second year player Nikola Jovic for the former Trail Blazer's star point guard. If the Bucks were to come calling this year? Milwaukee can beat it... Both the young wings not only showed prowess in the playoffs, but rookie Jaquez was on the All-Rookie Team and Top Ten in sixth man of the year voting after averaging just about 12 points, 4 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
Bam Adebayo's 3-Point Shot
If you have watched any of the Olympic Games, you have seen Bam start to stretch his offensive talents past the three-point arc, and this should come as no surprise. In the last 17 games of the year, Bam shot 14-for-28 from three. When you are starting as a Center who has never taken over a three-pointer a game, any improvement is significant, and this may become a key to unlocking the Miami offense.
Drafting Kel'el Ware
Ware averaged about 16 points and 10 rebounds a game in 30 starts for Oregon. The 7-footer also showed his capabilities of stretching the floor, hitting on over 42% from three, while also displaying elite rim protection averaging about 2 blocks.
His skill set is highly-coveted at the NBA level. A big man who can stretch the floor while also utilizing his length to deter shots at the rim. Ware can be a pick-and-pop threat, or also score with his back to the basket. Seeing Ware grow alongside Bam Adebayo will give opposing big men headaches on both sides of the floor.
What Lies Ahead
The days of the legendary 'Playoff Jimmy' on a night-to-night basis in the Spring may be ending soon. But the addition of the right pieces around the three stars in Miami might make them a formidable force on both sides of the floor once again IF HEALTHY... Which are the keywords.
Jimmy Butler is coming off a knee injury. Terry Rozier missed the playoffs last year. Tyler Herro has battled his fair share of injuries as well. But this Heat team has gained depth even in the losses of players like Caleb Martin, Kyle Lowry, and Delon Wright.
'Heat Culture' continues to grow with the likes of players such as Haywood Highsmith, Caleb Martin, and Duncan Robinson, and with a coach like Erik Spoelstra, history may repeat itself again. The depth certainly gives this 2024-25 Heat team a high floor but will need health and stars to grow to get this team back to the ceiling title contention.
Stay Safe Folks
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