In this week’s AllUCanHeat roundtable, the staff discusses whether or not any Miami Heat players will earn league honors this season.
Let’s get some early hot takes going: do you think anyone from the Miami Heat will be considered for a NBA award this year?
Jack Leniart (@Leniart_ND): They certainly have some players on their roster with that potential. I don’t think it’s far fetched to picture a scenario where Justise Winslow or Josh Richardson contend for the Defensive Player of the Year award. Those two guys are young and getting better every year. Defense is the foundation of both of their games, and they both have the talent to earn the annual DPOY award. It would take one hell of a season, but it’s possible. The two aforementioned players, along with Bam Adebayo, could also each make a case for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. Being younger players, each of their games has so much room to grow. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of those guys made a significant leap in the next two years. We also can’t forget about head coach Erik Spoelstra. He is one of the top coaches in the league, and he will always be a candidate for the NBA’s Coach of the Year award. Given the expectations for the Miami Heat this season, he could put together a strong case.
Chase Eyrich (@Ceyrich): If anyone has a chance at it, I’m looking at Adebayo. Now more comfortable in the league and in the Heat’s system, I think Adebayo has a great opportunity to take his game to the next level and be considered for the Most Improved Player of the Year.
Rahmeaun Rahming (@Boneman9000): I think there are anywhere between three to five candidates for end of season awards this upcoming season but for now, let’s focus on one of them (don’t worry, I’ll be writing a separate article where I dive deeper into each candidate). I believe that every season Spoelstra can be a finalist for Coach of the Year. The only reason he doesn’t get the hype to start the season is self-preservation (for the media that is). Significant media contributors don’t want to be wrong about an award selection for a ‘smaller market,’ non-contending team like Miami. They’d prefer to take the wait and see approach.
Ivan Mora (@ivanmora): I honestly don’t think so. The Miami Heat have been under the radar for a while and for good reason. They haven’t made a splash for the NBA to take notice. Whether it’s in free agency or a major blockbuster trade, the Heat have maintained a quiet facade. I think that continues this season as well and I think that’s a good thing. It’s hard when the pressure is on a team and all eyes are on them. Their expectations are ridiculous. So while I think Miami is going to have a bounce-back year and surprise the Eastern Conference in terms of being a contender, they will remain under the radar until playoff time.
Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonNBA): Miami is perennially slept on for awards. Lacking a true star to catch the mass media’s eye, each player must work twice as hard to get noticed than they would in certain other situations. Rudy Gobert for example, a phenomenal defender in his own right, definitely benefitted from the spotlight shone on Donovan Mitchell and a Utah Jazz team that most believed was going to bottom out. That said, Kelly Olynyk is poised for the best chance at an NBA Award, likely, Sixth Man of the Year. His offensive flexibility has helped kept Miami relevant and in his second year with the team, an increased role could entice voters.