On the eve of one of their most intriguing seasons in recent memory, here are five takeaways from the Miami Heat’s 2017-18 Media Day.
Despite finishing the 2016-17 season on a 30-11 run, the Miami Heat nonetheless came up short of their goal of reaching the playoff action.
So on the eve of the 2017-18 season, all Heat onlookers, from fans to the front office, will be eagerly anticipating to see if the 30-11 finish to last season was just an aberration, or if it’s something that can be replicated moving forward.
One major difference entering this season is the stability in the roster. Following such an upheaval in the summer of 2016, when the likes of Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and Luol Deng moved on from the franchise, this offseason has represented a much more stable environment. As head coach Erik Spoelstra noted:
"“Now we have the sixth-most guys bringing back. That is continuity that means something.”"
The @MiamiHEAT are back! #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/52EimRleNh
— NBA (@NBA) September 26, 2017
In the free agency period, center Kelly Olynyk was the only notable addition, while No. 14 overall draft selection, Bam Adebayo, was somewhat of a consolation prize for the Heat missing the postseason for the second time in three seasons.
The returning cast for the Heat will be again led by point guard Goran Dragic and center Hassan Whiteside. Fresh off a stellar summer in leading his native Slovenia to a EuroBasket championship, Dragic will be looking forward to again teaming with Whiteside in leading from the front as training camp kicks off this week.
Furthermore, with a supporting cast having had a full season playing together, the Heat are brimming with confidence on the eve of training camp and the regular season. With this in mind, here are five takeaways from the Heat’s 2017-18 Media Day.