The national media may be down on the Miami Heat, but head coach Erik Spoelstra isn't having any of it. Spo told ESPN's Brian Windhorst that the Heat would give the media "a reason to come to Miami this year." That's the type of statement that should have Heat fans excited about the team playing the underdog role again.
On paper, there may not be many reasons to like the Heat's chances. But in a banged-up Eastern Conference, it's clear that Spo believes there's a path for the Heat to be relevant this season. And with all odds against them, fans should get behind the Heat, too.
Maybe it all unravels by the end of the year, but there is a chance that the perfect storm does all break right for the Heat. And Spo, being the optimist that he is, is buying the hope, too.
How the Heat can change the narrative
If the Heat are going to outperform expectations this season, it's going to start with some big developmental leaps from their young group. There are two players, specifically, that could help this Heat team significantly raise its ceiling.
The first is Nikola Jovic. We've already seen flashes of it so far this preseason (and some during his time with Team Serbia in the EuroBasket Tournament), but he needs to continue to make the strides in his development where he can be a consistent offensive anchor for the team. If Jovic can emerge as a third or fourth option on the offensive floor for this team, it would completely alter the outlook for the Heat.
The second is Kel'el Ware. Over the course of his rookie season, Ware showed glimpses of great potential as a two-way big. If he can finally put it all together and emerge as a consistent asset for the team in the frontcourt next to Bam Adebayo, the perception of this team will completely change.
If Jovic and Ware can take that next leap in their development, and if we even see a small developmental bump from Jaime Jaquez Jr., Pelle Larsson, and Kasparas Jakucionis, the Heat's ceiling will drastically change. So will the narrative around them.
For the most part, the Heat knows what they're going to get from Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Davion Mitchell, Norman Powell, and Andrew Wiggins. It's the other supporting players on this roster that will ultimatley determine just how successful a season this year will be for the Heat.
Clearly, Spo is betting on some unforeseen development from their young core. And Heat fans should be just as hopeful.