Heading into this season, the expectations are sky-high once again for the Miami Heat. Interestingly enough, they probably wouldn't want it any other way.
With the way the Heat runs its organization, there's always been an internal pressure to perform. It's part of the reason why their culture runs contrary to the idea of "tanking." But now, especially after the acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo, there's an added layer of external expectations that the Heat will be dealing with.
If that wasn't clear before, it certainly is now. Klay Thompson's dad and former NBA Champion, Mychal Thompson, gave voice to this idea on a recent episode of Locked on Heat.
“You don’t bring Giannis in with Bam to not be a deep playoff contender or championship team. Anything short of a Championship this year is a bust. I’m sure Pat Riley and Spoelstra are feeling that way too."
The Heat have entered championship-or-bust territory
Even though the rest of the league seems to be split on the idea that the Heat will even be a top-4 team in the Eastern Conference this season, Thompson couldn't be more right. No matter how the Heat is able to build around Giannis and Bam over the next few years, if they don't win a championship during this era, the big move for Giannis will be remembered as a bust.
Whether the Heat are willing to admit it or not, from here on out, as long as Giannis is on the roster, the expectations are championship or bust. But, in a way, this is exactly where the Heat likes to see their expectations be.
Miami is a proud franchise and has established a culture that is all about winning. Even though that culture took a hit over the last few seasons, they have to feel great about the idea that they're back where they believe they belong - in the middle of the title picture once again.
The Heat don't have the most complete team in the Eastern Conference, much less the NBA. But at the same time, would anyone be truly surprised if a team led by Giannis and Bam was able to make a deep run in the playoffs?
Absolutely not. In fact, as far as Heat fans are concerned, that's going to be the expectation as long as everyone is healthy. For the first time in a very long time, this is the case.
Even when the Heat internally believed that they could make a deep playoff run, most fans weren't on the same page. Now, though, they are. And should tell you all you need to know about where the unanimous expectations lie for this franchise.
It's championship or bust again for the Heat, and even though these expectations may seem unfair for the first year with Giannis, this is exactly where the franchise likes them to be.
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