Miami may not have won the title since 2013, but the franchise has one of the best records in the league in recent seasons: two NBA finals (2020 and 2023) and a conference final (2022), contrasted by two less glorious exits of the Heat in the first round of the playoffs.
Including that of last year, against the Celtics. Despite this setback, Pat Riley and his leaders did not do anything crazy this summer. On the contrary, the Heat continues to trust its trio of strong men, Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, for a 6th year together.
“ Six years, yes, it's a pivotal year for the team. It's normal. They have been together for six years, they have all progressed. Everything is evolving for the better with continuity and the fact that we believe in this team. Does this mean that if we don't win or go far this year there will be massive changes? No. But they must know that this is a crucial year for them “, warns Pat Riley.
The latter did not feel “ not comfortable » to the idea of « give up » this training on the pretext that it is a “ play-in team “. The last two seasons, the Heat have not been able to qualify directly for the playoffs, and therefore had to go through this tournament. “ Two years ago it was an anomaly, we ended up in the final. I'll take the anomaly any day. But we have a very good team. »
Reaching “another level of greatness”
To prevent any future “anomaly”, the manager knows part of the solution to the problem: that his major players can stay healthy and evolve together.
“ We don't know what's going on with this team because Tyler, Bam and Jimmy can't play 30 games (together). It's like when I was a coach (Lakers) and if Magic (Johnson), Kareem (Abdul Jabbar) and James Worthy had only played 30 matches. From this point of view, we need everyone. I hope and pray that we are healthy this year to make it happen. », he displays.
And if this is the case, does he consider that the Heat have the weapons to aim for the title? The big boss cites the other teams expected in the East, the Celtics, the Knicks… “ Philly, with Philadelphia, you never know. They are a bit like us, they need to be healthy all year round », he observes.
“ But I believe in this team, I really believe in these guys. Bam, Jimmy and Tyler, and maybe Terry (Rozier) to some extent, must be better. It's always a question of knowing if we can produce more, be more together. I saw the progress. We have a core of very, very great players who must reach another level of greatness. It's their time. They must take up the challenge », Stares Riley.
