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NBA execs see Miami Heat on the outside looking in at East contenders

By Duncan Smith

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 13: Jimmy Butler #22 shares a conversation with his Head Coach, Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers December 13 , 2019 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 13: Jimmy Butler #22 shares a conversation with his Head Coach, Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers December 13 , 2019 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Miami Heat have overachieved thus far relative to expectations coming into the season, but some NBA executives see this as a limitation on how far they can go.

The Miami Heat have been full of surprises so far this season. Sitting in the third seed in the Eastern Conference with a 24-9 record, nobody could say they saw this coming.

Naturally, some surprises have developed in order for them to achieve what they have so far. Injuries and suspensions paved the way for Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson to be major contributors, and they’ve made the most of their opportunities.

Of course, there’s a downside when two of your five starters were expected to be fringe rotational players or playing in the G-League at least part of the time. While you’re happy to get unexpected contributions, Nunn and Robinson aren’t necessarily guys who can go win you a game in the playoffs, or a couple of games in a series.

For a team with growing aspirations like the Heat, they are in need of more players just like that. Jimmy Butler can and will do it, and Bam Adebayo is quickly becoming somebody the Miami Heat count on to do it as well, but other teams in the NBA are aware of this shortcoming.

Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus conducted a poll of NBA executives, seeking to get their input on which teams are true championship contenders.

The consensus was that the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers were the three to beat, and one executive had something to say about the Miami Heat.

"“The [Philadelphia] 76ers [23-13] won’t beat Milwaukee without more shooting. The [Miami] Heat [24-9] are winning with G Leaguers. It’s impressive but won’t get them all the way [in the postseason],” said one Western Conference executive."

Those contributions are most welcome, but this unnamed executive is right. If the Heat have the goal to make a deep run in the playoffs, they are going to need to add at least one major piece to the roster.

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Nunn and Robinson can get your team to the playoffs, it seems, but to seal the deal and challenge for a title, the Miami Heat will need something more.

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