Q: Is the buzz in the air around the team and coaches for real? Does it feel different than on previous media days or training camp? Are Giannis Antetokounmpo and everyone else really feeling rejuvenated in a way that will carry into the season, or is it all just lip service that has to be said to the public? – Morgan, New Orleans.
A: First, find me any team in any sport that doesn’t carry at least a level of hope into a season. So there has to be perspective. And while camaraderie and a united front certainly can pay dividends, I would think the Heat would trade all of that for a wing who can play as a closer, create his own offense. So, yes, a feel-good story at the moment. But the real feel-good story, and the only feel-good story that matters, is the good feeling of stacking wins during the regular season. Still, it does feel like everyone is on the same page. This is not Jimmy Butler arriving late to media day two years ago or Tyler Herro entering last year’s camp injured and on a scooter. So there certainly is no reason not to savor this moment. The Heat have Giannis Antetokounmpo and the rest of the NBA doesn’t. So that’s already one win in the books.
Q: The Knicks won the championship last year. With all due disrespect, if they can win it, any team can. I’m looking forward to another parade down Biscayne. It’s been a minute. – Kevin, Lauderhill.
A: Because it always has been about coming together at the right moment, with the Heat also an example of that in their runs to the 2020 and 2023 NBA Finals. The Knicks got it together at the right time last season. For the Heat, it’s all about a similar long view, of getting the pieces together and in working order for when it matters most. The difference is that in such a competitive conference, each of the first 82 will matter.
Q: Ira, the Heat should be great defensively up front, but I question the backcourt. Davion Mitchell, while a good defensive player, is undersized and Klsy Thompson is not the defensive player he once was. With so many big and speedy guards in the league, do you think we can expect a lot of zone this season? – Joel.
A: First, you will see ample zone, simply because a Heat strength is switching it up defensively. You also could see Bam Adebayo defending smaller, quicker players, as he has over the years, especially now that Giannis Antetokounmpo is in place to defend opposing big men. Beyond all of that, just because this is the backcourt group that the Heat is opening camp with doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the backcourt group that will end the season.