The Miami Heat get their season tipped off on Wednesday night, as they will welcome the Chicago Bulls into the FTX Arena for the first of three matchups this season, the first two of which are to be played in Miami.
Before all of that happens though, preseason predictions are typically all the rage heading into the year and one Miami Heat legend has his too. Here is what Udonis Haslem had to say when asked about his preseason pick to come out of the East.
When asked by ESPN’s Malika Andrews, UD would respond by saying:
"Man us. What you mean? Like, what you talking… I mean, us. That’s how I always feel."
Simple, direct, and to the point, Haslem let you know a few things there. He really believes that, first off.
Secondly, he is supposed to say that, being one of the leaders and tone setters for the team. But then there is also the actualities part of it all and when it comes to those actualities, UD’s proclamation isn’t that crazy of a notion at all.
The Miami Heat are coming off a year that saw them push the Celtics to a Game 7 in the ECF. And as Udonis Haslem believes, they may just win it this year.
And that’s even among the fact that everyone has seemingly hyped Boston, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee up to be so much better than the rest of the East now after their offseason additions, something else mentioned by Haslem in his appearance.
Udonis Haslem on how everyone in East is saying Boston, Milwaukee or Philly
— Five Reasons Sports 🏀🏈⚾️🏒⚽️ (@5ReasonsSports) October 14, 2022
"We always figure it out. We find those diamonds in the rough. People who probably didn't get the chance they deserve. I look at Caleb Martin who is gonna step up. This is the kennel, for real, for real"
But back to his pick of the Heat to come out of the Eastern Conference and though again, he should say that, it has legs. And the reason is because of the Miami Heat’s depth.
Yes, they lost a crucial piece in P.J. Tucker. However, with the additions of Nikola Jovic and Jamal Cain, along with Caleb Martin’s emergence into the starting lineup, you have a solid rotation to tinker with there.
That’s along with a few other options to potentially try. You then take the returning full health of Victor Oladipo, hopefully, along with what looks to be a reemerging Duncan Robinson for the second unit, as Tyler Herro now appears to be a starter, and that already starts that unit off with a bang.
Again, thinking about Jovic and Cain, but topped off with the likes of Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Dewayne Dedmon, and whomever else Spo wants to throw in there—and the Miami Heat have a second unit comparable to the starting fives that some other teams will throw out at points this season.
In simpler words, their depth is why they can win the East and the NBA title this year.
As the year progresses, we will see it all play out and thus, discuss it more along the way but as for now, that’s why Udonis Haslem’s Miami Heat “to win the East” prediction doesn’t sound that crazy at all.