With it being Friday and the 2017-18 NBA season starting sooner than expected on October 17, it’s time to take a look back at some of the best Miami Heat moments from last year.
2016-17 was the time to be alive, for Miami Heat fans.
Forget about Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal teaming up for the franchise’s first championship in 2006. And the Big Three giving the organization another two titles in 2012 and 2013.
This new era of Miami Heat Basketball is what it’s all about.
Headlined by Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside, of course.
At 31, the Slovenian point guard is playing the best ball of his life, having averaged 20.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists a game in 33.7 minutes last season. And the 9-year veteran has made it a point to expand his game. Though he may still rely on his trusty Euro-step, he shot 40.3 percent from downtown this past year. Nevermind the work he has put in to develop his playmaking.
Then you have arguably one of the league’s top big men today. Finishing the season averaging 17.0 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per contest, the 28-year-old was a threat on both ends of the floor. Whiteside also showed growth off of the court too, curbing a temper many called childish, that often came with a loss of focus.
But the great thing about this current squad is how much of their success relies on competing as a unit.
Meaning guys like Wayne Ellington, James Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Rodney McGruder and Dion Waiters are just as responsible for the team’s triumphs. So-called NBA stars or not.
And 37-year-old, 14-year players a la Udonis Haslem are still valued to the highest degree, despite only seeing time in 16 matchups last year.
So in honor of #FlashbackFriday, let’s take a look back at four of the best moments from 2016-17.