There is just one month left until the start of the Heat’s training camp, which this year will try to make a run at the NBA Finals with a roster very similar to last season.
It will all depend on the team staying healthy, especially when push comes to shove and on the growth of its drafted players.
Two key players missed the playoffs last season and are expected to make a difference in the upcoming campaign.
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No one doubts that Jimmy Butler will have one of his best seasons, after announcing that he will declare himself a free agent at the end of it. Terry Rozier did not in his second campaign with Miami.
However, those who are expected to grow the most are Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kel’el Ware, who have been chosen by the Heat in recent drafts and really form the base of the Capital of the Sun quintet.
Captain Adebayo (2017) is the one who has grown the most, becoming one of the best centers in the NBA.
However, at 27, he still has room for improvement and Miami depends heavily on him achieving it.
It’s not just about improving your shot, especially three-pointers, but also learning to position yourself better under the rim and not miss easy shots.
He is coming off a gold medal with the United States team at the Paris Games and will be looking to catch the eye of those who marginalized him from being named Defensive Player of the Year last season.
Herro (2019) is another of the good underrated players from whom much is expected.
The shooting guard, in addition to strengthening himself to avoid some injuries and improving his defense, is destined to become an elite NBA shooter, and to do so he needs to improve his numbers and, above all, his consistency.
Tyler can shoot over 20 points and 45 percent from the field, as well as 40 percent from three.
The guard, who will soon be in his sixth year with the club, firmly believes the Heat should continue to be viewed as title contenders, even though the Celtics, Bucks, 76ers, and Knicks are seen as the bigger contenders.
“I don’t see why not. We have everything we need,” Herro told Forbes magazine. “I’m really excited about this season. Obviously, there are a lot of teams in the East that think they have developed apparently, but I think we’ve improved internally.”
Jovic (2022) is another player who is expected to continue to grow and end the power forward debate in Miami, after playing very well last season as the starter at the position and returning with an Olympic bronze medal.
He has a good shot (45.2% and 39.9% on three-pointers) and a good wingspan, but he needs to be more daring.
Jaquez Jr. (2023) was one of the surprises of his rookie season, in which he ended up averaging 11.9 points (48.9% field goal shooting).
In his second year, the versatile sixth man certainly has plenty of room for improvement in every aspect.
Finally, there is center Ware (2024), who is expected to have a brilliant campaign after his good performance in the Summer League. For him, everything will be improved in a world where he may not be the tallest, despite his 7 feet of height, but he can still be one of the most dominant in the paint.
“It may look a little different, but we have young guys that we expect to continue to improve,” Herro said.
“Bam and I are young guys who are just starting to become veterans. Terry Rozier is healthy now, ready to compete and then there’s Jimmy Butler, who is very motivated after not being able to play in the playoffs last season.”
Maybe President Pat Riley is right. If his young players grow and the team stays healthy, it won’t need any reinforcements.
In the NBA, everyone is convinced that despite not having superstars, the Heat can never be ruled out of a fight.
