The Miami Heat, like every other NBA team, will be off for what appears to be at least the next 30 days. Here’s why it might not be the worst thing.
The Miami Heat and the NBA are at a standstill right now. Due to ongoing threats about the coronavirus threat, most professional sports and including the NBA, have been suspended until further notice.
The Miami Heat were having such a resurgent season too. They were well on their way to a top seed in the Eastern Conference, something that no one saw coming and possibly en route to contention for a title.
While we would have all liked things to continue regularly, as we want to see our Miami Heat, things had to be done the way they were for the safety of everyone. We can definitely understand that.
With that in mind though and if you really think about it for a minute, especially considering the current makeup and situations surrounding the Miami Heat, this suspension isn’t that awful for them. Here are the three core reasons why the suspension might actually help the Miami Heat.
Rest
This aspect is not underrated at all. When you think about the fact that we are in the load management era or the fact of how they have fought so hard over the last few years to limit back to backs and three games in four nights sets, it makes all the sense in the world. That is the macro perspective.
This goes double when you think about someone like the Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler. He works so hard all the time, that when he does get a chance to rest, you immediately notice the freshness about him the next time he steps on the court. That is the micro perspective.
No matter which angle you take, the same holds true. This is a period that could definitely serve to help some get their energy back up, hopefully for an eventual return of the season.
Recuperation
The Miami Heat are as banged up as any team. When it comes to the quality of the guys that they are missing, they are probably right up there at the top.
Jimmy Butler missed the last contest with a toe injury. Meyers Leonard hasn’t played in weeks with a leg injury. Tyler Herro just returned on the last game with a lower-body injury of his own.
This period should give the Miami Heat players a chance to fully recuperate and get healthy. A fully healthy roster would be a welcomed sight, upon and providing that the league returns after the suspension.
Rhythm
Once the players are fully rested and recuperated, the next thing to do will be to work on their games. Per Tim MacMahon, the teams and players will be allowed to continue practicing during this suspension.
Mark Cuban says the NBA has told teams that they can continue to practice. He adds that players have been told they should not have visitors from out of town.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) March 12, 2020
For a team like the Miami Heat, who haven’t been fully healthy at all and definitely since acquiring their newest pieces, it would give them a chance to work on some things. This would hopefully lend itself towards establishing that necessary rhythm that they have lacked at times since the trade deadline.
While, again, we would love to be watching our favorite basketball team play ball, that is not the reality right now. With the suspension being the reality, these were three potential positives that can be taken away from it. Safety is the most important thing right now, so we understand it, we just hope the Miami Heat take full advantage of the time they have away from actual contests.