2017-18 was a rollercoaster ride for the Miami Heat.
Most Miami Heat fans are already anxiously awaiting October to roll around, ready to put this past season behind them.
Finishing the year off ranking sixth in the Eastern Conference may have been underwhelming. And a first round playoff exit certainly isn’t ideal. Dion Waiters being sidelined the majority of the season was rough. As was watching Hassan Whiteside fade into the background.
Still, 2017-18 wasn’t all bad. And there are a handful of moments worth holding onto.
THE R3TURN
Regardless of anything else that happened this season, it will always be remembered as the year that Dwyane Wade came back to Miami. Which in and of itself makes 2017-18 a success.
On February 8, 2018 the Heat announced that they were bringing the superstar back via a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
How did the veteran feel about it?
"“I’ve missed them and I know they’ve missed me.”"
Just like that, all was right once again in South Florida, the former face of the franchise finally back where he belonged.
All-Star SZN
Another huge moment of 2017-18 came when Goran Dragic was finally named as a NBA All-Star. It’s true that he made the team only after Kevin Love fell victim to injury, but nevertheless, the Heat were well represented that weekend. He was the first ever Slovenian player to receive the honor, at long last able to accomplish a lifelong goal.
Bad Boyz
Miami’s postseason didn’t quite go as expected, with the Philadelphia 76ers knocking them out of the first round, 4-1. Yet, it provided fans with a glimpse into what the Heat could become in the future, should they build around guys like Bam Adebayo, Josh Richardson and Justise Winslow.
While Adebayo may have only averaged 3.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 15.6 minutes in the playoffs, he showcased a multitude of skills that should have fans very excited for what’s to come. He held it down defensively, showed offensive athleticism and gave good energy, period. Lack of experience or not, he was fearless on both ends of the floor, fully buying into Miami Heat Basketball.
As for Richardson, who had a fantastic third year, he continued to prove just why the team should confidently always rely on him. With performances like back-to-back 14-point games, followed by recording 10 points, five rebounds, seven assists and seven steals in Game 4, he showcased versatility through and through.
But perhaps most impressive of all was Winslow, whose bad boy side came out in Game 3. Finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes, the former Duke star went hard at rival Joel Embiid. In fact, he even stepped on his face mask, sending a message of no intention of backing down.
#Bloodsport
The jury is seemingly still out on James Johnson, but all of Heat Nation was elated over his performance on March 19, 2018 against the Denver Nuggets.
The game went to overtime, and the black belt was going to stop at nothing to get that win.
So, he turned things up a notch.
He finished the evening with a career-high 31 points on 13-of-17 shooting (including going 4-for-6 from downtown), alongside 11 rebounds and six assists.
Oh, and 18 of those 31 points came in overtime.
Next: Miami Heat: Is Tyreke Evans the right free agency fit?
The Miami Heat sure had an interesting 2017-18 run.