First thing’s first: how happy are you that Miami Heat Basketball is back, and what have you seen from the team that already has you excited for this season?
Allana Tachauer (@allanatachauer): I’ve been anxiously awaiting the return of Miami Heat Basketball since the final buzzer went off in Game 5 of the first round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers; so yes, one could say that I’m over the moon. Obviously, it goes without saying that I’m thrilled Dwyane Wade has decided upon playing one more year, and I’m glad Udonis Haslem will be joining him too. From what I’ve seen so far though, Josh Richardson‘s progress really has me hyped. He’s the exact type of two-way player that I want to be leading Miami’s young core into the future. More than that, he has the right mindset. It’s clear he’s trying to become that go-to guy for the Heat this year, especially with Wade on his way out and Goran Dragic past his prime, and he’s already well on his way to proving why that’s what the team needs.
Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonNBA): I’m super excited for the Wade fanfare, first and foremost. Against Orlando, he got such a warm welcome, despite not having as contentious a history against them as some other teams (the 76ers, the Dallas Mavericks, etc.). Finally hearing the cheers he got, really set in the idea that this is going to be a Heat season to remember. Otherwise, Richardson’s start to the year has been fantastic. Not perfect, mind you, but he’s starting to make team president Pat Riley look like a genius for not giving him up. Now, Butler is playing impressively, too; against the Cleveland Cavaliers last Friday, he quickly turned opening night boos into MVP chants. But Richardson is starting to look like he could be Miami’s home-grown star, with the benefit of not having Butler-like tantrums to boot.