No one wants to see Giannis Antetokounmpo or the Miami Heat prosper. It's the uncomfortable truth about the Heat that no one will admit, but everyone seems to be echoing it in their analysis.
I can't help but think that it may be why no one seems to be giving them much credit for the job they've been able to do around Giannis, even after the splash signing of Klay Thompson.
It's one thing not to want to praise the Heat for Bobby Portis, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Ryan Conwell. But Thompson is on another level, and that's an objectively good move for the Heat. Especially considering their biggest need was perimeter shooting.
Unfortunately, that's still not enough for the Heat to be better than a Play-In Tournament team.
The rest of the NBA doesn't want Giannis or the Heat to prosper
If it's not one thing, it's another. Either way, it's almost never enough. And, sure, the Heat may not have the most complete roster in the NBA, but they have better depth and (now) shooting than anyone seems to be giving them credit for.
However, for one reason or another, it's still not enough to be projected to finish higher in the Eastern Conference than the Indiana Pacers. There are some (serious) NBA prognosticators who have the Pacers finishing higher than the Heat this season. That's hard to believe anyone would have any confidence that would happen.
And that's not necessarily a knock on the Pacers themselves; more so, it speaks to the reality that many just don't want to live in. The Heat are good. And they're probably going to be very good this season.
As long as they're able to remain healthy, the Heat are going to be scary good with Giannis. If the supporting cast does live up to expectations, the Heat have a chance to be championship-good, too.
The Heat will take the underdog role once again this season
Even if that is the case, which I firmly believe it to be, the rest of the league has no interest in coming to that conclusion. At this point, the national media should stop hiding it.
Whether it's because of Pat Riley, this organization's past success, Giannis, or the fans, the media should just say that they're never going to give the Heat credit until they absolutely have to. That's what we saw all throughout Miami's pursuit of Giannis, when they acquired him, and now as they continue to build around him.
Fortunately, this is a role that the Heat have thrived in over the years. And the lack of respect heading into this season won't bother them one iota. Still, that doesn't make the constant (and irrational) pushback against the Heat any less defensible.
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