3 observations on Miami Heat from the early part of the season
By Simon Smith
Having jumped out to an impressive 6-3 start, here are three main observations for the Miami Heat in the early stages of the season.
Ask any Miami Heat fan and they certainly would’ve taken a 6-3 record to kick off the 2019-20 season.
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With two of the three losses coming on the second night of a back-to-back, the Heat find themselves in third place in the Eastern Conference. Given their disappointing 39-43 record last season, naturally some alterations to the overall makeup of the team have had a profound impact thus far.
In addition to the arrival of four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler and the level of play he brings to the team, some other new additions have been a pleasant surprise. The rookie pair of Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn have done about as well as could be expected through nine games.
Herro, a lottery pick, and Nunn, an undrafted rookie who spent last season in the G-League, have infused a genuine spark in both the starting and second units.
But possibly the most impactful change has been the permanent presence of Bam Adebayo in the starting lineup. With the incredible flexibility he brings at both ends of the floor, Adeabyo is a legitimate game changer, who at 22 is only going to get better.
So prior to the Heat’s next game on Tuesday night when they host the Detroit Pistons, here are three main observations from the early part of the season.