To nobody’s surprise, it took drama and negative headlines for national media to finally give attention to the Miami Heat this season. Jimmy Butler’s messy trade demands may have stolen the spotlight, but there is more to talk about with this team other than the Heat star’s recent fiasco.
For years, even through the bright spots with Miami, the media has avoided giving that well-deserved recognition. Despite making a pair of NBA Finals, along with reaching a Game 7 of an Eastern Conference finals in a five-year span, few had viewed the Heat as contenders during that time. The team had to embrace their underdog status, and they did so as best as they possibly could have.
Fast forward to this year’s squad, it has been a disappointing campaign, to say the least. Still, the Heat find themselves at the thick of the East’s playoff race. They currently are sitting at the eighth seed and just .5 out of sixth— 2.5 behind fifth.
Nikola Jovic’s recent rise as a core piece and Haywood Highsmith’s career high in 3-point shooting have been developing stories. But there are even better things to highlight amid Miami’s up and down 2024-25 campaign.
3. Kel’el Ware’s sudden Rookie of the Year case
To much of the disagreement to the fanbase, coach Erik Spoelstra went with the more patient development route with newly drafted rookie Kel’el Ware. However, the 7-footer has finally received an opportunity in a new extended role with the Heat’s rotation recently.
He was promoted to the starting lineup, forming an ultra athletic, versatile and intriguing duo alongside Bam Adebayo. And the results have led to some elite performances from Ware, ones that have instantly put him in the thick of the NBA’s Rookie of the Year race.
His presence as an elite rim protector and lob throat, along with his floor spreading ability, wound up being too enticing for Spoelstra to keep ignoring.
2. Bam Adebayo’s leadership and defense
Luckily for the Heat, they have been in terrific hands amid all the Butler drama with the leadership and professionalism from Adebayo. As the team captain, he has done a terrific job at leading by example and blocking out the noise.
The All-Star big man has put together a reliable campaign in terms of availability, appearing in 43 of Miami’s first 44 games. Despite a slight regression offensively, he has stayed the course and has never lost his confidence.
Adebayo’s value is still as elite as anyone in the league on the defensive end, showcasing that versatile ability to guard 1-5 on a nightly basis. He is the anchor and pillar of everything the Heat aspire to do defensively. Without his impact, this already inconsistent season for the team would look significantly worse.
1. Tyler Herro’s improvement
Without a doubt, Tyler Herro has been the Heat’s best player all season long. The emerging combo guard is in the midst of a breakout year while all of Heat Nation patiently awaits the NBA’s All-Star reserves announcement— which is taking place this Thursday, January 30 on TNT.
Herro’s progression has unsurprisingly flown under the radar within the national media. Herro’s per game stat line of 24.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists on 47.6% shooting, 41% from 3-point range and 62.5% true shooting efficiency are all good for career high’s.
In fact, he is averaging more points, assists, rebounds and 3-point percentage than the likes of rival stars in LeBron James, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum and Stephen Curry, respectively. After just recently turning 25 years old, the most encouraging part is Herro hasn’t even reached his prime years yet.
Maybe he can finally start to turn the heads of more media members if he can ultimately secure that All-Star nod.