How do you feel about finishing as the Eastern Conference’s six seed?
Tachauer: Let’s just say I really didn’t want to take on the Philadelphia 76ers. But there’s no turning back now. Culture versus Process, let’s go.
Sims: Although, I would have loved to see a Cavaliers versus Heat match up, becoming the six seed is a big accomplishment given all our injuries, Hassan Whiteside drama, etc.
Johnson: When Miami secured the tiebreakers with the Washington Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks, it proved one thing: the Heat are better than them both. Finishing sixth, though it was in jeopardy until the final buzzer of the season, is a solid boost for a team that just missed the playoffs last year. The sixth seed also means Miami’s goals have to be higher next season. Cleveland, Philadelphia, Toronto Raptors and the Celtics will have something to say about where Miami finishes, but the Heat can, and have, beat every one of those teams.
Nurse: I feel pretty good about finishing as the East’s No. 6 seed. Aiming for the Celtics would have been a bad idea, because it would have dropped the team’s guard against an injured, but well coached team. And we all know that the Heat have played down to the competition. So why not take a crack at the 76ers? Especially since the Heat were confident enough to win their way into the position, when they could have easily dodged them in their finale.
Ramos: I thought the Heat would finish in fourth or fifth place in the East, and they very well could have. But with injuries and inconsistencies, I think sixth place is still a respectable accomplishment for the Heat.