No one can really agree exactly where the Miami Heat belong in the Eastern Conference. Are they a top tier team or will they just sneak into the playoffs? Or will they miss the playoffs at all? Let’s take a little sneak peak and see for ourselves.
Key Additions: Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler coming to Miami from the Philadelphia 76ers felt more about the location of the team rather than their chances of winning a championship. Butler has made himself right at home with the Heat. He seems to get along (right now) with his new teammates and is getting to practice at ungodly hours in the morning. But everyone can agree that the Heat will not be winning a championship this year. So why Miami? When you have as much money as an NBA All-Star and live in a place like Miami, is that really an L? Can’t blame the guy after spending his career in places like Chicago, Minnesota and Philadelphia.
Key Losses: Dwayne Wade, Hassan Whiteside, Josh Richardson
Dwayne Wade may not have played amazingly his final season, but it’s always rough to see a franchise cornerstone to leave. Wade helped bring three championships to Miami. No Heat fan will ever forget that. Whiteside isn’t an unrecoverable loss, but he was a big body that is now gone. Richardson does hurt. He and Butler play a similar game, but Richardson is younger. It would have been nice to have both Richardson and Butler, but it is what it is.
Potential Starting Lineup: Winslow, Herro, Butler, Odebayo, Leonard
Herro has looked really good in the preseason (yes I know it’s preseason) but he deserves the start. The Heat have been running Winslow at the starting point guard spot this offseason, a move which I personally love. Leonard is a newcomer from Portland and can somewhat fill the hole left when the Heat and Whiteside parted ways.
Projected Wins: 42
Getting above 40 wins
