Jimmy Butler and Heat’s run to NBA Finals was a FLUKE, believe some NBA executives
Debating the Heat's cinderella story, fluke or blueprint for success?
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Jimmy Butler (image via AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
The Miami Heat defied all odds by making an unexpected journey to the 2023 NBA Finals. As rival teams watched the Heat’s remarkable run from the play-in round to the grand stage, many found themselves questioning whether it was just a fluke or a replicable path to success. Zach Lowe of ESPN captured the sentiment, as executives reviewed the lessons to be learned from Miami’s extraordinary playoff run.
The Heat entered the playoffs as the eighth seed with a lackluster regular season record of 44-38. However, they managed to eliminate the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in just five games, helped by the unfortunate injury to Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Jimmy Butler emerged as a driving force for Miami, averaging an impressive 37.6 points per game during the series.
Miami continued their playoff conquest by defeating the New York Knicks in six games and the Boston Celtics in a tiring seven-game series, where they narrowly avoided becoming the first team in NBA history to surrender a three-game lead. The Heat’s unlikely journey eventually concluded with a five-game loss to the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals, including two disappointing defeats at home.
Throughout the regular season, Miami struggled with their three-point shooting, ranking 27th in the league with a 34.4 percent success rate. However, during the playoffs, they led all teams with an impressive 38.0 percent conversion rate from beyond the arc. This surge in shooting prowess led skeptics to question the replicability of Miami’s strategy. Critics wondered if the Heat’s success hinged solely on making an unusually high number of three-pointers.
On the other hand, some approached the situation from a different perspective, pointing out that Miami generated similar shot quality during the regular season compared to their exceptional 2021-22 season. For these observers, the Heat’s playoff success was seen as a regression in luck, as they experienced a surge in 3-point shooting accuracy when it mattered most. This perspective led to discussions about incorporating such a strategy into rival teams’ own approaches.
Miami Heat reflect on their playoff success and future moves
While the league debates the significance of the Miami Heat’s remarkable playoff run, the Heat organization itself is engaged in self analysis. Determined to sustain their success, Miami has set its sights on acquiring another star player to complement the dynamic duo of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
The Heat had their sights initially set on Bradley Beal, but the Washington Wizards ultimately traded him to the Phoenix Suns. However, there is still a possibility of pursuing Damian Lillard if the Portland Trail Blazers make him available.
Miami’s playoff success was not totally reliant on their star players. They received remarkable contributions from supporting cast members, most notably Caleb Martin and Gabe Vincent. These two players, who ranked seventh and eighth in scoring during the regular season, respectively, stepped up their game in the playoffs, tying for third on the team in points per game behind Butler and Adebayo.
As the offseason unfolds, the Heat find themselves faced with crucial decisions. With Vincent and Max Strus entering free agency, Miami must carefully navigate the player market to assemble a roster capable of surprising the doubters once again in the upcoming season. The Heat’s front office remains committed to finding a winning formula and proving that their playoff run wasn’t a one-time occurrence.
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Vivek Yadav
(624 Articles Published)