Miami Heat: 3 Ways They Resemble 04 Champion Detroit Pistons – Multipleness
The best player on the Miami Heat is clearly Jimmy Butler and although he put up historic numbers in the 2020 NBA Finals in a losing effort, he doesn’t stack up to the talent of some of the NBA’s most elite players.
2. The Lack of a True Superstar
When the term “superstar” is used, the following players come to mind: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic, and James Harden.
Butler is an incredible player, but lacks the scoring consistency to be called a true superstar in the NBA. He is still probably a top 20 player, but the perennial NBA superstars are on a different level.
The ‘04 Pistons also lacked a true NBA superstar. They were one of three teams in NBA history to win an NBA championship without a past, present, or future MVP.
When you think of superstars of the early 2000’s, you think of Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett, Heat legend and Champion Shaquille O’Neal, Tracy McGrady, Jason Kidd, and Allen Iverson. You don’t think of Chauncey Billups or Ben Wallace.
Both were great players and were some of the greatest of all time at their position, but neither was so integral that they could turn any franchise into a contender. That is what a perennial NBA superstar does.
The Miami Heat are focused on playing together. Markieff Morris, one of Miami’s newest additions, recently commented on the Heat’s spread of touches:
"“I feel like we have nobody on the team like just, ‘Give him the ball, and then everybody just watch and let them make the play. It’s a collective. We’re going to need everybody to score and rebound and defend every night. And that’s the best team to be on, when you don’t have to run to the corner every play and wait for a guy to make a play for you.”"
Jimmy Butler agreed with Morris, believing that everyone on the team can play well and do different things.
The 2004 Pistons were willing to share the ball. Looking at their scoring averages, there were seven players who averaged at or around 10 points per game, with no scorer above 20 points per game.
The Pistons excelled at playing good team basketball. Everyone played well in their respective roles.
As a result, the Pistons won an NBA title.