The Miami Heat are non-existent to the internet on media day

The Miami Heat won’t live stream Media Day. What Gives?

The end of September is an incredibly symbolic time of year.

Along with the arrival of all things pumpkin spice, there is an annual celebration of Earth, Wind & Fire’s jovial anthem, “September”. And, while Halloween superstores continue to takeover every vacant lot in America, there is one celebration that tops them all.

NBA Media Day.

Well, media days.

Just before the start of training camps, each of the 30 NBA teams partake in an annual grilling by media personalities and professionals, answering questions ranging from team goals to the fit of some new look jerseys.

This season, the majority of teams will hold their media sessions on Monday, September 24, available for public viewing via a number of outlets, not limited to Twitch.tv, Facebook and YouTube.

Conformity is certainly the norm, but a handful of squads are electing not to stream the events, one of which is the Miami Heat.

The decision stands in stark contrast to the team’s history, one which usually welcomes the broadcast of photo shoots and goofy behind the scenes moments.

So, what gives?

Despite a lackluster finish to the season and an equally underwhelming offseason in which the majority of signed players have at one point or another played for the team, Miami should have plenty of reason to stream media day.

In addition to the reunion of Udonis Haslem and Dwyane Wade, which would make for a fantastically nostalgic photo opportunity, the stream could also shed light on the few new acquisitions the team picked up.

On September 21, Miami announced the arrival of Anthony Carter as one of the newest player development staff members.

Carter, who played for Miami at the turn of the century, recently served as an assistant coach for the Heat’s G-League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Though not broadcasting media day runs counter to Miami’s past decisions, it might not be so far-fetched an idea.

Through the highs and lows of Heat Basketball, the team has done extraordinarily well in terms of keeping its dirty laundry out of the public eye.

When Chris Bosh was “angry and suspicious” over Miami’s intentions in not clearing him to play, the team stuck to the script, maintaining that it hoped Bosh could return healthy and happy.

Similarly, in 2005 when ex-Heat coach Stan Van Gundy resigned from the position, he maintained that it had little to do with the organization. Though all signs pointed to team President and Van Gundy’s successor Pat Riley having pushed him out, neither side made the coaching switch seem anything more than business as usual.

"“I was happy for him when I hired him 11 years ago,” Riley said in 2005. “I was happy for him when I stepped aside and gave him an opportunity that was well-deserved. And I am happy for him today, absolutely.”"

Riley, to echo a sentiment issued by New Orleans/Miami based rapper Lil Wayne on his album Tha Carter IV, is a “real G [who] moves in silence like lasagna”.

Guiding the organization like an invisible puppet master, Riley only drops his sleight of hand when absolutely necessary.

When the Wade drama unfolded in the summer of 2016, Riley didn’t hesitate to make amends, saying just 16 days into free agency that he had regrets over how he handled Wade’s departure to the Chicago Bulls.

But given his track record, that Miami isn’t live streaming its media day, is right on par with the team’s norm.

Beyond a few funny photos that likely include Kelly Olynyk and a strange set of dance moves, little of consequence is likely to emerge from Miami’s media day shenanigans.

And anything that does break free, will be surely posted to twitter within hours.

So, fear not, Heat Nation. It’s just business as usual down in South Beach.