Not only did the Miami Heat take (via trade) Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks this summer, but they've also now taken one of their top beat reporters. Erik Nehm announced Tuesday that he would be moving to Miami to cover Giannis and the Heat for The Athletic.
Nehm has been covering the Bucks for the last eight years and was even there for their championship in 2021. As Giannis prepares for a new chapter of his career in Miami, his assignment has shifted with him.
In fairness, there's really nothing that the Bucks could've done to avoid this business decision from The Athletic, but it goes to show just how much things are about to change for both the Bucks and the Heat.
The Heat are blockbuster again thanks to Giannis
Of course, this is nothing new for the Heat. Back in 2010, ESPN started a "Heat Index" after LeBron James and Chris Bosh decided to join Dwyane Wade in Miami. It was a daily blog that featured a handful of writers covering the Heat.
No, Nehm being sent to Miami to cover the Heat isn't a new "Heat Index," but it's just part of the Heat getting back in the superstar business.
The bottom line is that, with Giannis, the Heat are relevant again. Considering that was one of the bigger goals for Miami heading into the offseason, this small move does say more about the Heat than most will realize.
The Heat, at least on paper, are no longer stuck in mediocrity. With Giannis, the Heat are automatically in the conversation. That doesn't mean anything if they can't prove it once they roll out the basketball, but it's certainly a strong sign that this franchise is headed back in the right direction.
For the last few years, even despite an unlikely run to the NBA Finals in 2023, the Heat have been petering around mediocrity in the NBA. They have been a Play-In Tournament team each of the last four seasons, and were likely expected to be much the same team had they not struck a deal for Giannis.
Because they did, all of that has now changed. No more mediocrity. No more false hope. There are now real expectations tied to the Heat, and Giannis is the only reason why.
The Heat are no longer afterthoughts in the Eastern Conference, and the signs continue to back that up. Nehm making the move from the Bucks to the Heat beat is just another tea leaf that has come into focus.
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