And what do you hope the new year brings forth for the team?
Tachauer: I have three main things that I hope 2019 bestows upon the Heat. First, I hope Dwyane Wade‘s Last Dance just keeps getting better and better, with Flash/Vintage Wade/Father Prime making as many appearances as possible. That first performance against the Raptors was literally for the books, and I hope we all get to see more of that, going forward. I also wish for Winslow to keep thriving as a point guard for the team, as well as for him to fully transition over to that role in the new year. And lastly (and you all had to know this was coming), I hope Whiteside flourishes and proves everyone wrong. He deserves to be able to put his 2017-18 narrative completely behind him, and be looked at as a center Heat Nation is lucky to call their own.
Johnson: Above all else, I hope that in 2019, Spoelstra keeps experimenting, moving forward. Just like he’s begun throwing the zone into his defensive plans (who saw that coming?), I wouldn’t mind seeing some weird lineups or different rotations being thrown into the mix. For instance, what would a Kelly Olynyk, Bam Adebayo and Whiteside squad look like? Now don’t get me wrong. I understand that it wouldn’t always be ideal; but why not try it for now anyways? Miami’s not on championship course obviously, so the more well-rounded of an experience these guys get, the better things will be down the line. Being comfortable, especially in today’s NBA, a league that’s loaded with unique players, is a death sentence at this point. Therefore, the 2018-19 Heat should go full Bill Walton/Portland Trailblazers, and just get weird.