Don’t be surprised if the Miami Heat wins it all in ‘23-’24

Photo by Alan Cai

The Heat can see light at the end of the tunnel… They can finally breach the gap this year.

“There’s no chance the Miami Heat will win,” fans said during every matchup in the  playoffs. Yet, out of four playoff series, the Florida team only failed to win one: the NBA Finals, falling only to the Denver Nuggets. 

The team has consistently surpassed expectations this decade and its players have proven themselves to be a formidable force, despite being eternally considered an underdog. Appearing in two of the last four NBA finals, the most out of any team so far this decade, the Heat is poised to win its fourth title since its 1988 founding.

The Heat is not a flashy team by any regard. It reached the finals this year with only one all-star player selection and a dismal eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. The only other team in NBA history to finish at eighth seed or below and still make it to the finals was the 1999 New York Knicks.

Despite having odds overwhelmingly stacked against them by arguably better players on more established teams, the Heat is still one of the foremost contenders due to its strong teamwork and frontcourt dynamic, along with the superior coaching of Erik Spoelstra, who has been at the helm since 2008 and is widely considered to be at the top of his profession. 

Though not a star studded as other teams like the Bucks, the Heat have one of the most tested lineups in the modern NBA.

Longtime veteran Guard-Forward Jimmy Butler is at the center of everything. He is well known throughout the league for his impeccable work ethic and ability to perform and push his teammates at the most crucial moments of the game. During the 2022-2023 season, Butler averaged 22.9 points per game in the regular season and 26.9 in the postseason. 

Center Bam Adebayo shoulders the bulk of the scoring burden on the team. A young and efficient front court player, Adebayo is blossoming into one of the most valuable centers, averaging 17.9 points per game in last season’s deep postseason run on top of 9.9 boards (rebounds).

Rounding up the lineup, guards Kyle Lowry and Tyler Herro are formidable forces on their own. They perfectly complement the talents and effort of the rest of the team by scoring and playmaking around the perimeter.

Despite all their success, the Heat remains an underrated team. Despite not making many off-season trades, they continue to bring versatile prowess on both ends of the court, which historically translates to championships.

Others are picking the Nuggets or the Suns or the Bucks or Celtics to win next June. I’m betting on experience combined with great coaching and sticking with the Heat.