Miami Heat: 5 reasons they will make the playoffs in 2017-18

2. World-class conditioning levels

Going back to his days as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, team president Pat Riley has always placed an incredible emphasis on the conditioning levels of his players.

And to this day, nothing has really changed.

Upon arriving in Miami, Dion Waiters was made aware of this during in his initial face-to-face meeting with Riley. As he stated in the article he penned for The Players’ Tribune shortly after last season, Riley told him:

"“We’re going to get you in world-class shape. Not good shape. Not great shape. World-class shape.”"

As a result, for both Waiters and the Heat, the outcome was spectacular. After checking in at 234 pounds and 10 percent body fat upon signing with the Heat, Waiters had dropped to 222 pounds and 7.5 percent body fat. As can be seen, the results speak for themselves:

https://twitter.com/GodfatherRiley/status/854735918007296000

Furthermore, veterans James Johnson and Wayne Ellington were another two newcomers whose body transformations resulted in career-best years. From when he signed with the Heat to mid last season, Johnson dropped from 274 to 238 pounds, and from 14.5 percent body fat down to 6.75 percent.

This observation from his previous head coach at the Toronto Raptors, Dwane Casey, is rather noteworthy:

For Ellington, he has also transformed dramatically under the Heat tutelage. Going from 222 pounds to 203, and 12 percent body fat to 6.5 percent, Ellington explained last season how terrific he felt come game day:

"“I feel like I can run for days. I feel like I can just stay out there and continue to play. I don’t get tired on defense. I don’t get tired coming off screens when coach calls that play for me. I feel like my longevity and stamina is by far the best it’s been in a very long time.”"

Moving forward, this trio, along with the rest of the Heat squad, figure to constantly improve their levels of conditioning. As a player agent told Alex Kennedy of Hoops Hype recently:

"“Their conditioning played a big role in their success over that stretch (30-11 to finish the season). This is why they run so much in the offseason, in training camp and during the season. They run like gazelles and work extremely hard to prepare for stretches like that.”"

Another agent explained to Kennedy:

"“Miami is an organization that isn’t for everybody. Either you buy in and you’re part of the Heat culture, or you’re not. “They’ve been doing it for a long time and they take it very seriously. Some other teams will let guys go work out on their own and do whatever they want, but Miami isn’t like other teams. It’s very organized in Miami; guys have a strict schedule, they’re working with the strength-and-conditioning team and they go hard.”"

While it certainly comes across as hard work, the results speak for themselves.

And while this level of commitment and discipline clearly isn’t for everyone, the Heat will continue to pride themselves on being the best conditioned team in the league.