The Miami Heat have 17 superstars on their roster

When it comes to the Miami Heat, there’s one point of criticism that comes up again and again: the team isn’t headlined by a superstar. But maybe it’s time for that to stop being looked at as a bad thing.

Sure, it’s easier said than done. In the age of super teams, it’s understandable how not having at least one A-List player on a roster, is hard to swallow.

Even president Pat Riley doesn’t seem too comfortable with it. After all, he went after both Kevin Durant and Gordon Hayward two summers in a row, trying to catch that “whale.” His current team being quite a departure from The Big Three, or even the duo of Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade.

But the Heat have entered an entirely new era. One that is defined by the organization’s culture, and guys who buy into it. A group that embodies Miami Heat Basketball. Made up of so-called misfits, underdogs who still to this day are overlooked and underestimated.

Yes, Goran Dragic won the league’s Most Improved Player award in 2014. He has an EuroBasket championship from leading Slovenia to gold, this past summer. And the NBA honored him with Eastern Conference Player of the Week earlier this season. But outside of Heat Nation, few label him an elite point guard. A title he has absolutely earned.

Dion Waiters may have gotten paid this offseason, signing a four-year, $52 million contract in July. His name has been tied to Kevin Durant and LeBron James. His return being credited as a large part of Miami’s 30-11 second half run. And yet, he remains a league-wide scapegoat. Still not having been able to shake his old reputation.

As for Hassan Whiteside, he’s perhaps the most complicated case of all. A top big man in the league, having showcased the ability to beast on both ends of the floor, many just don’t understand him. Or see his value. Even after he led the NBA in blocks in 2016, and rebounds the following year. Despite Riley prioritizing his free agency over Wade’s.

And then of course, there are guys like Tyler Johnson, a former Gatorade League member who went undrafted in 2014. One would think that his fast feet, lights-out shooting from downtown, mind-boggling dunks and defensive prowess would be enough to get him noticed league-wide, but instead his name is often confused with Tampa Bay Lightning hockey player, Tyler Johnson.

However, none of this seems to matter. It was this group who was able to finish 41-41 last season, after an 11-30 start. And it is this group who currently sits at 24-17, fourth in the East.

So maybe it’s time to embrace the Heat’s new identity. To stop forcing a superstar upon them.

Because after all, who says Bam Adebayo won’t develop into one of the best centers in league history? And really, who gets to define what a superstar is, anyway?

Next: Why the Miami Heat should not look to move Hassan Whiteside

The Miami Heat seem to already have 17.