Miami Heat: 4 takeaways from the team’s first preseason game

MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 1: Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat shakes a fans hand after the preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks on October 1, 2017 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Miami Heat played their first preseason game of 2017-18 on Sunday, October 1, giving fans a taste of what’s to come.

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The Heat hosted the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, October 1, tipping off 2017-18 preseason play with a 96-90 win.

And while this preseason victory may not count towards the team’s record, you best believe it gave fans plenty of insight as to what’s to come this year.

For one, the guys took strength and conditioning seriously this summer. With James Johnson and Dion Waiters looking leaner than ever, Kelly Olynyk getting up and down the floor with greater ease and Josh Richardson seemingly having bulked up… no one can argue against this ball-club already being in mid-season form.

Then, there is the fact that Justise Winslow is clearly back. Sure, he may not exactly know his role yet. And the rust is certainly still evident. But the recovery period is over; the young buck is ready to prove the haters wrong, on both ends of the floor.

And in case anyone still had any doubts: drafting Bam Adebayo was absolutely the right move. The rookie only saw time on the floor with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but that was enough to catch the eye of Heat Nation. Between his size, athleticism and hunger, he already embodies The Culture.

So what else did the Heat’s first preseason game shed light on? Here are five takeaways.