After failing to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2022–2023, Heat stars Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro are committed for the upcoming season.
The Boston Celtics’ addition of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, the Milwaukee Bucks’ acquisition of Damian Lillard, and other significant transactions in the Eastern Conference haven’t drawn much attention to the Miami Heat.
The Heat added Thomas Bryant and Josh Richardson to their roster, but they also lost players like Gabe Vincent and Max Strus to free agency. Miami will primarily be running the ball back with Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro in charge.
The Heat are once again the underdogs to win the East given how the league is looking entering into the season. Is Miami’s chip on the shoulder stronger than it has ever been in light of talk that the Bucks and Celtics are the favorites?
Or… is it just business as usual?
Everyone enters the season with different goals in mind, Bam Adebayo said to ClutchPoints.
It’s not “business as usual,” Adebayo remarked, “I feel like a lot of the guys have their own individual motivations.” “Add the coaching staff to the 15 of us. Additionally, Pat [Riley] was having his office-based small talk. In other words, you’re quite motivated heading into the season.
During his time with the media, the Miami big man also mentioned his desire to develop as a leader and someone the team can look up to. This is relevant, especially when it comes to mentoring young players, as evidenced by his friendship with Udonis Haslem.
Promising young players like Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr., who was recently selected in the first round, are on Miami’s roster.