Miami Heat: Finding their historical precedent in the Detroit Pistons

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 15: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat and Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat react after their win over Boston Celtics during overtime in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 15, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

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Miami Heat (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

The Miami Heat are 10-2 in the playoffs so far. While some are questioning their legitimacy, there is a former champion that they are reminiscent of.

Any time a team starts winning when they were not expected to it is easy to try to find the reason why it is not valid. The NBA bubble has been a common reason, attempting to put some sort of demerit next to the teams pulling off upsets. Not only is this unfair to the teams that are accomplishing something great but it bails out the would-be contenders from being disappointments. When it comes to the Miami Heat, this should not be discredited.

Simply because people did not expect them to make it this far does not take anything away from what they have done. They have built a culture (in case you have not heard the words “Heat Culture” roughly 3 trillion times at this point) where fit and hard work can unlock a beautiful game.

While it is rare for the teams with the best players to not make it to the Finals (or even the Conference Finals), it is not without precedent. There was a team that made six straight Conference Finals from 2003 to 2008. Especially at the beginning of the run, there was a lot of doubt surrounding the team because they did not have what the conventional NBA fans would consider one of the best players in the game. If they did not have the MVP of the league how could they expect to contend?

Comparing the 2019-2020 Miami Heat to the Goin’ to Work Detroit Pistons is telling. When looked at through this prism the Miami Heat start to fit the contender mold, even for casual fans.

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