The Miami Heat officially kicked off their season today, well sort of. Here are a few early thoughts based on the happenings of the annual Media Day.
The Miami Heat should have the most optimism that they have had entering a season as they have had over the past few years. Coach Erik Spoelstra just received a new long term extension, which also gets that out of the way so to speak and allows him to focus on coaching, the team is a little more solidly built, and most importantly, they enter the season with a solid superstar in tow after acquiring Jimmy Butler over the summer.
While nothing is set in stone, it looks like this should be one of the best seasons for this Miami Heat team that they have had over the past couple of years. With everything getting underway today, let’s look at a few things we can take away from Heat Media day thus far.
UD is a coach in uniform
Wise words from @ThisIsUD on @MiamiHEAT Media Day! pic.twitter.com/irQKljSEfr
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) September 30, 2019
With Pat Riley hot on his coattails about joining the bench crew, Udonis Haslem is about to lace them up for what is to be his 17th NBA season. As he essentially states in the above, while he isn’t wearing a suit or holding a clipboard just yet, he does intend to be a source of wisdom to the rest of the Miami Heat Roster.
https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/1178731954046406661
While Coach Spo says via the twitter of a reporter from the Five Reasons Sports Network that “when he commits to this, it’s to be a player”, “not to be on the staff or a hybrid role” and while we totally believe and agree with him for the most part, it just comes with the territory when you have been a member of and know the culture as well as he does and for as long as he’s been. Regardless of how you feel about UD coming back for another season, you have to respect the man and what he has been for the Miami Heat.
Coach Spo excited for the potential of this unit
When this Miami Heat team landed Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat Faithful all but lost it. That was pretty much a point of jubilation for the fans because that meant that we would immediately be a much better team this season with much better chances to contend in the East. When it was announced that Coach Spo had received an extension, that compounded those feelings for most.
https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/1178684906265812994
Although he has never publicly complained, there have been subtle hints made in the past towards the notion of “not knowing” by Coach Spoelstra. Seemingly with that behind him, he appears all-in on this season and the potential that this roster has.
With Jimmy Butler in tow, along with the rest of the talent that this roster has, we should be in store for one heck of an exciting season. If Coach’s tone says anything, it says that he knows he has something potentially special on his hands.
Justise is ready to work, wherever, whenever, however
One of the major topics across the offseason has surrounded this Miami Heat team’s point guard situation. While Justise Winslow excelled there for the most part of last season, Goran Dragic was not healthy, which allowed Winslow that opportunity.
Well, with Dragic coming back 100 percent at full health, that creates an awkward scenario. This scenario is especially weird considering a recent declaration from Winslow where he made it known that he wants to be this team’s point guard. Here is what he had to say on Monday about the situation.
Winslow: "The position, it doesn't really matter. I'll play the four if that means I'm bringing the ball up and making plays, if that's what you call a four. So it doesn't really matter the position. It's more how I'm being used on the court."
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) September 30, 2019
This is a welcomed sight and for multiple reasons. You would like to believe that the tension is nonexistent with this unit, as the above quote implies, while you also like to hear the confidence Justise speaks with. At the end of the day, he is right and whether he is the pseudo one man or not, we just want to see him in spots where he appeared to be at his best.
While there is a ton more to be taken away from this day that is the beginning of the rest of the season, these were a few of the more enlightening exchanges. We’ll be continuing to look for clues and cues from the day’s happenings in order to bring them to you! Can we get the season off and bouncing already?!?!