Miami Heat
The 2019-20 Miami Heat season can be defined by the fact that the Heat made it all the way to the NBA Finals as the #5 seed in the Eastern Conference.
What did we learn?
Jimmy Butler and the Heat were a more perfect fit than we anticipated, bringing out the absolute best in each other.
In our season preview, we stated that Butler should be an unequivocally great fit in Miami. Even so, we underestimated just how much this was a match made in heaven.
Butler’s grit, relentless determination and crunch-time scoring dynamo alter ego, Jimmy Buckets, established the exact frame of mind that the Heat needed from their leader and shining star. The fact remains that Butler is Heat culture. He lived and breathed it and showed them the way. With Jimmy, there was always the feeling of a perfectly balanced amount of relaxed and LOCKED IN. Always ready to strike, but nowhere close to uptight about it. Butler’s own mantra was, “We just wanna get lost in having fun.”
In no way shape or form was Butler a solo act in this grand endeavor. There was another All-Star on this team, 22-year-old Bam Adebayo. We expected Bam Bam to excel with more playing time considering Hasaan Whiteside was 3,259 miles away in Portland, but we were immensely impressed with Bam’s versatility and vast improvement in play-making skills. Bam averaged 5.1 assists per game as Miami’s version of Draymond. Bam at the 5 was the game-changing lineup that Spo used to wreak the most havoc, opening up a new world of creative defensive possibilities.
The Heat’s ability to find diamonds in the rough was another goldmine for this season. Picture Pat Riley walking down the beach with a metal detector, locating all the best treasures left behind. Duncan Robinson went from being undrafted to one of the very best shooters in the NBA like THAT. Never forget that Robinson had a Cleveland assistant coach Googling “Who is Dante Robinson?” during a game. Robinson shot 44.6 percent from 3 on 8.3 attempts per game! Kendrick Nunn also went from being an undrafted rando to starting 67 games and a 1st Team All-Rookie selection just like THAT. An astonishing amount of production that appeared out of thin air.
We knew from the moment we saw Tyler Herro’s draft-night suit that he belonged in South Beach. Herro’s swagger was meant to be fixated next to Jimmy, someone charismatic and prescient enough to push Herro to his highest potential. It’s clear that Herro is brimming with self-confidence, but Jimmy is the one encouraging him to really let it rip.
The deadline trade for Iggy and Jae Crowder (and Solomon Hill’s expiring contract) was the turning point that really set the Heat apart from the limitations of their previous roster. Depth on the wing and veteran playoff experience on the front line were the final ingredients needed to put the Heat over the top.
Goran Dragic only started three games in the regular season but in the playoffs was tasked with starting and running the show. Dragic saved his best ball for the playoffs, gaining back the step he had lost from his 2017-18 All-Star campaign, powering up the Heat’s drive and kick approach. There was a long stretch in the playoffs where Dragic even led the Heat in scoring.
It all coalesced to the Heat’s unlikely trip to The Finals, the first ever Finals appearance by a #5 seed. Miami swept the Pacers, punched the Bucks in the mouth and handled the Celtics. Alas, Dragic tore his plantar fascia in Game 1 of The Finals and Bam dealt with a shoulder injury as well, the Heat were never quite the same.
That did not stop Jimmy Buckets from putting it ALL on the line in Games 3 and 5, giving it everything he had in two legendary Finals performances that resulted in wins for the shorthanded Heat. He left every last ounce on the court, gasping for air in between plays, a valiant effort if there ever was one.
That is truly all you can ask for from your best player. Butler went toe to toe with LeBron and out dueled him twice, graduating from Jimmy Buckets to Jimmy BEANS, Big Face Coffee extraordinaire and Bubble Finals legend.
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What are the answers to our Season Preview Final Questions?
Can Spo find and unlock El Heat: Lineup de el Diablo?
The Heat’s most used lineup in the regular season was their typical starting lineup of Butler, Bam, Robinson, Nunn and Meyers Leonard. This lineup posted an offensive rating of 116.4, a defensive rating of 103.1 and a net rating of 13.4. If you don’t know much about advanced stats, these numbers are very good.
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Would our preseason Over/Under prediction have hit?
Dancing in the club to OVER 42.5 wins. (52% winning pct)
Heat 2019-20 final record: (44-29) 60% winning pct
YES, our preseason Over/Under prediction hit! The Heat’s 43rd win was over the Celtics in the bubble.
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What’s Next?
The Heat probably won’t be sneaking up on too many people this time around. The word is out on the shooters.
Dragic and Crowder are free agents. Both veterans were crucial components to what the Heat were able to accomplish in the playoffs.
No matter what happens in the offseason, there should be depth on this roster to be utilized. And Spoelstra is one of the best in the biz.
Giannis and the big free agency class of Summer 2021 looms. We know that Riles still has stars in his eyes.
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Favorite Heat Highlight from the 2019-20 Season:
“This is my shit! This is my shit!! THIS IS MY SHIT!!!”
