Despite missing the playoffs, the Miami Heat have plenty to celebrate this offseason.
The Miami Heat were this close to making the 2017 NBA Playoffs.
But instead, the Chicago Bulls, who held the tie-breaker over them, took the eight seed instead. Throwing the men of South Beach straight into their offseason.
This certainly hurt, and as president Pat Riley said himself, was not necessarily fair. However, so it went for the Heat. Their fate was sealed.
Still, Miami had one heck of a season.
And basically falling one game short of a postseason at 41-41, after the team was a mere 11-30 in January, is an accomplishment in itself.
To say the least.
In fact, the Heat have plenty to celebrate this summer.
For starters, how about Riley and the rest of the front office discovering hidden gems in the likes of James Johnson and Dion Waiters?
James may have already been in the league for eight years, showing glimpses of promise here and there, but it goes without saying that he developed into a superstar in Miami. Something that management must have seen the potential for, right from the get-go.
The same goes for Waiters as well. While many already seemed to have their minds made up about the confident shooter, the Heat saw a place within their organization for his trigger fingers. Matching his level of self-confidence, to boot.
Of course, it was also the franchise’s culture that helped turn things around for Johnson and Waiters.
And the rest of the roster, too.
As well-known as Miami’s identity was at the start of 2016-17, the uniqueness of Miami Heat Basketball topped NBA headlines by the end of the season. Between a team consisting of nine former Developmental League players making a historic 13-0 run, Johnson’s weight loss success story, Hassan Whiteside’s tremendous growth and Goran Dragic having the best run of his career (just to list a few achievements)… it was hard not to be in awe of the organization.
Speaking of Whiteside: what a transformation.
Yes, the big man was an asset from the minute he put on a Miami uniform.
But he had a chip on his shoulder from holding a grudge against all the other ball clubs that had overlooked him. He was hot-tempered, especially when he was not playing well. He acted childish at times, both on and off the court.
This year though? This year, the new and improved Whiteside came out to play. Gone were the vengeful sentiments. A new sense of calm shined through him. He became a leader to the younger guys.
And it all paid off. Not just on a stat-sheet, but through the recognition he was finally given. For the elite center that he is.
When it comes to elite however, Dragic also knows a thing or two about that.
Outshined by names like Kyle Lowry and Chris Paul, the point guard may not have gotten much love league-wide. But his numbers should speak for themselves. Having averaged 20.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.2 steals a game in 33.7 minutes of play. This, while shooting 40.5 percent from three.
Certainly a season worth feeling proud of.
Which is exactly how head coach Erik Spoelstra feels about 2016-17 as a whole.
"“I think you have to be able to enjoy and even celebrate mini victories along the way, and enjoy seasons even if they don’t necessarily end with a win. … Only one team finishes the season with a win. … This will be a season that a bunch of strangers came together in October, and they will see each other years from now in NBA circles and they will be able to have that bond.”"
And how Heat Nation feels about their pick for Coach Of The Year.
Next: Miami Heat's Pat Riley on Justise Winslow: 'He ain't going anywhere'
Being knocked out of playoff contention is never a good feeling. But fortunately for both the Miami Heat and Heat Nation, the team has so many more things to feel better about.