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

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(Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /

1. Familiarity of the roster

The summer of 2016 saw a major changing of the guard in Miami. Out the door were Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Luol Deng, Joe Johnson and Amar’e Stoudemire.

Therefore, with such a large and sudden turnover of the roster, there was naturally going to be a transition process when the regular season came around.

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This was certainly the case as the Heat stumbled to an 11-30 record. With Dion Waiters, James Johnson, Wayne Ellington, and Rodney McGruder all new to the team, the lack of cohesiveness was plain to see in their early season struggles.

Fast forward a season, and the roster composition is much steadier, aside from the additions of Kelly Olynyk and Bam Adebayo. Forward Justise Winslow will also need to be worked into the rotation, having played just 18 games last season due to a season-ending shoulder injury.

Recently, coach Spoelstra expressed his enthusiasm for the team as the season approaches:

"“We’re going to aim high. Ultimately we’ll find out when we start playing games. We love our group. We love the fact we were able to bring the majority of the team back together and add some guys we think can help….the way the group and the team came together, connected and competed for each other, the group wanted an opportunity to explore this further. “We were given that opportunity and I think everybody is pretty excited about it. You can feel it, you can see it. So we’re getting closer to training camp. We’re not there yet, but the guys are really excited about getting back to work officially.”"

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So given the mutual confidence of the coaching staff and playing group, all eyes will be on the Heat to see how far they can climb up the standings in the Eastern Conference.

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