The Miami Heat pride themselves on being the most hardworking team in the NBA. Because of that, they are, almost, always a playoff team.
However, there is a difference between being a playoff team and a championship-caliber team. As presently constructed, the Miami Heat roster is capable of winning a championship.
That did not work out for them this year, as they were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Still, you have to believe that that game could have gone either way.
If a few extra plays had gone their way, the Heat would be gearing up to play in the NBA Finals right now. That being said, how much longer can we expect the Heat to be able to compete for a championship with Jimmy Butler at the helm?
He will be 33 years old next season and Kyle Lowry is already 36. Although many of their skills can translate through age, you have to think there will be a drop-off in their level of play at some point.
The Miami Heat will be back contending for a title next year, but with Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry aging, how many years do they have left to win a title?
As Butler and Lowry trend towards the end of their prime, other players trend towards the pinnacle of their level of play. Two of those players are Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.
Both players are still very young and have room to grow as stars. It is very easy to see the areas in which they can improve.
Both of them also struggled at points in the postseason though. If history is any indication of their mentality, they are going to use that as motivation to improve next season.
It was a season to remember for Coach Spo@MiamiHEAT // @FTX_Official pic.twitter.com/DADtjFGkz6
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 31, 2022
The Heat had a shot to win this year. They were unsuccessful, but they will likely get better, especially if they can bring back most of the team.
The only problem is that the rest of the league is going to get better too. The Brooklyn Nets will have a full season to gel together.
The Bucks will be an issue. The young core of the Celtics will continue to grow.
Philly isn’t going anywhere and that’s all just the East. In the West, you have to worry about the Warriors, the Grizzlies, the Nuggets, the Clippers, and the Mavericks.
If the Heat have Jimmy Butler and their young core playing at a high level, they should like their chances against any of these teams, but the road to the NBA Finals will become more difficult. Realistically, the Miami Heat have two to three more years to win with Jimmy Butler as the best player.
It might take moving around the roster a little bit. Health will also play a role.
But if the Heat can maintain their identity and outwork the other teams, they should have a chance at a title for the next two or three years. Again, as long as Jimmy Butler and a few other guys maintain a high level, they always have a chance.