Miami Heat: Strong team chemistry is the key to continued success

This Miami Heat roster has unparalleled chemistry both on and off the court, bringing the team continued success in the NBA playoffs.

If you’ve ever ordered a dirty Chai oat milk latte, you know the pain of paying too much for a dose of caffeine. And yet, your drink of choice still probably doesn’t come close to the $20 Cup of Joe that Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is offering up in the NBA playoffs.

Yes, you read that right – Butler started his very own side gig in the NBA bubble, taking full advantage of the fact that it’s seemingly slim pickings in the coffee department out there in Orlando.

And while Big Face Coffee might seem inconsequential to Miami’s quest for a title, it’s anything but.

The Heat are currently 6-0 in postseason play, most recently earning a Game 2 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. They also previously dominated the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, despite T.J. Warren’s best attempts to get under Butler’s skin.

Now it’s true that the 2019-20 roster is loaded with raw talent.

Butler, since arriving in South Florida, has blossomed into a bonafide superstar. Bam Adebayo arguably should have been a viable Most Improved Player of the Year recipient. Goran Dragic, an already elite point guard at every phase of his career, has taken his game to a whole new level. Tyler Herro is undoubtedly one of the league’s top rookies. Duncan Robinson has continued to break several franchise records with his sharp-shooting.

You get the picture.

But what has brought this team success as a unit, is strong chemistry, both on and off the court.

"“Me and Jimmy, we have great chemistry,” Dragic said of Butler. “As a team, we have great chemistry. One of our emphases before the playoffs was enjoy the game. Enjoy it. Have that smile on your face. That’s what I love to do.”"

Dragic’s work hard, play hard mentality is certainly shared by his teammates, who have visibly grown even closer since the NBA Restart. Between bench celebrations and Instagram shoutouts, it’s clear Miami is the definition of a ride or die squad, having forged a true brotherhood that in turn, translates into untouchable chemistry on the floor.

Because these guys respect each other so much as human beings first and foremost, they’re able to put full trust in one another when it comes to in-game decisions.

Take Jae Crowder for example, who only joined the Heat in a February trade.

Although he certainly still isn’t the team’s primary choice when it comes to three-point shooting, Miami has allowed him to grow in that role because of the trust they’ve formed as a group.

"“Jae is a competitor, a warrior,” Dragic explained. “He’s accepting every challenge … He’s shooting the ball really well. We want to find him in the offense.”"

Butler and Crowder have obviously formed a bond on their own too.

(Bet you didn’t think I’d circle back to Big Face Coffee, did you?)

Miami’s unparalleled chemistry has led to unshakeable confidence in guys to create successful plays, move the ball seamlessly and make tough shots. The entirety of the group having each other’s backs is what made them so vigilant against Indiana and so fearless against the Milwaukee Bucks. They are truly playing team ball, game after game, consistently propping one another up and leaving all egos at the door.

NBA playoffs and beyond, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more cohesive (and caffeinated) team, than the Miami Heat.