Roundtable: What will 2017 bring to the Miami Heat?

2016 is in the history books and 2017 is upon us. This past year we saw the Miami Heat go through a lot of changes. The face of the franchise is gone, the losses out-weigh the wins and the future is cloudy. Lucky for you, the All U Can Heat staff is here to recap the year that was and look ahead to what’s next.

1. What is in your Miami Heat 2016 time capsule?

Simon Smith (@SimonABenedict): A year of bad luck. Chris Bosh’s health, followed by injury after injury has meant the transition phase into a new era has been far from smooth.

Cory Sanning (@SanningNBA): More valleys than peaks. It definitely was a year most Heat fans will want to soon put behind them.

Frank Urbina (@frankurbina_): Heat – Hornets, Game 6, of the 2016 NBA Playoffs. Miami was down three games to two in the series, with a road game in Charlotte staring them in the face. Season on the line, one minute remaining, the Hornets on a 7-0 run, Dwyane Wade gave Heat fans one last performance to remember him by.  

Multiple clutch shots. Hitting his first three-pointers in months. Yelling at the annoying, “Purple Shirt Guy.” This vintage Wade takeover had a little bit of everything. And though he went on to have better games statistically in the following series against Toronto, Game 6 in Charlotte felt like the last time we truly saw classic D-Wade. Carrying the Heat to an unlikely playoff victory, just like he’d done countless other times.

Ivan Mora (@moraivan): I have to agree with Frank Urbina.  Wade’s Heat Hornets series.  Amazing last run by Wade.  Left us with a memorable playoff experience.  Besides that, the 2016-2017 season has been a sad one.  Too many injuries paired up with so many close losses has many Heat fans, including myself, frustrated and eager for the trade deadline and offseason.  

Allana Tachauer (@AllanaTachauer): Ebbs and flows. Our playoff run definitely stands out most, as not only did we just fall short of making the Eastern Conference Finals but it was a tremendously fun postseason to watch. Especially when it comes to our matchup against the Charlotte Hornets. But of course, Chris Bosh’s second blood clot diagnosis comes to mind right away as well. And then there was Dwyane Wade breaking all of Heat Nation’s hearts when he decided to leave and join the Chicago Bulls. I would certainly throw re-signing Tyler Johnson in there too though. I was so excited when that happened, and the story of him throwing up makes it that much better.

Kristopher Keaton (@kmkeaton2): A shot back into reality. 2010-2014 was the most fun time period of my sports fandom. Championships, exciting basketball, and fun on a nightly basis. 2016 represented the complete opposite. Injuries, losing great players, and a feeling of purgatory. A fall back into the abyss. Hopefully 2017 is a step in the right direction.