Miami Heat Roundtable: Preferred Round 1 NBA Playoff Opponent – Eric’s Take
When considering the Miami Heat against Cleveland, Atlanta, or Charlotte, it’s interesting to think about which they would rather see in the first round. All three of these teams have given reasons to stay away and reasons to want to host them for round one.
Eric’s Take (@FrittsWrites) – Atlanta Hawks
Cleveland is missing a key player in Jarrett Allen, a big part of their whole scheme. Charlotte’s Gordon Hayward is also sidelined and their defense was a struggle anyway.
While those reasons should make the Heat want to play the Cavs or Hornets, there’s something in me that just wants to see Atlanta shut down. Trae Young exploded in last year’s playoffs, but has since regained his “good stats bad team status.”
His remarks earlier this season about regular season boredom came across as arrogant and entitled, and when you put all that together, it makes me just want to see Kyle Lowry tear him apart for four games. Basketball-wise, it works too.
Atlanta has a poor offensive rating, despite Young. They play at a slow pace and don’t get into transition offense much, which works towards Miami’s advantage.
The dynamic offense that Atlanta can create will be a good way for Miami to get their playoff run started defensively. But, despite all the hate for Trae, it would actually be a fun series and good for the league as well.
He shows up in big games. He’s a competitor and that’s what the game is all about.
Atlanta is probably the best team still alive in the play-in, so the Heat should take the challenge head-on. Bam Adebayo should be back in rotation from Health And Safety Protocols by then, but even with him out, I would say the Heat in five over the preferred Atlanta Hawks.