The Miami Heat have immense depth going into the 2022-23 season. Led by Jimmy Butler, they are looking like favorites to come out of the East
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The Miami Heat were one of the best teams in the NBA during the 2021-22 season. Despite having a wide array of injuries, the team from South Beach fought their way into becoming the number one seed in the East. They looked really good in the playoffs as they got the better of teams like the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers before losing to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.
However, Erik Spoelstra and his men are focused on continuing their pursuit of winning a championship next season. They have the best bunch of players whose work ethic is second to none in the league. In today’s article, we take a look at five Miami Heat players who are going to be pivotal during the 2022-23 season.
Jimmy Butler has proven himself to be one of the best players in the NBA over the past few years. He is a terrific two-way player, who is unfazed by the big moments. The veteran has helped the Miami Heat to an NBA Finals and a Conference Finals appearance. He brings his best during the playoffs and that has helped the franchise massively. Having failed to win a ring so far, Jimmy Buckets is as locked in as ever entering the 2022-23 season. If he can stay healthy and play to the best of his capability, the Miami Heat will be strong contenders next season as well.
Bam Adebayo is one of the best defensive centers in the NBA. He has grown from strength to strength each year and the same is expected from him going into the next season. Last playoffs, Adebayo was not able to play to the level expected from him and that was one of the reasons, the Heat fell to the Celtics in the Conference Finals. He is powerful and can bully his way to the basket if given a chance. However, the big man sometimes tends to lose his aggressiveness on the biggest stage.
Next season he would be looking to get better there as he is one of the most vital parts of the Miami Heat franchise. If he gets going, the team will undoubtedly cause huge problems for the other sides in the East.
Tyler Herro put up a magnificent performance last season to be crowned as the 6th Man of the Year. However, entering into the 2022-23 season, the young guard is looking at transforming himself into becoming a starter for the Miami Heat. There is no doubt that he has the potential to find a spot, but the Heat team is stacked with options. But if Herro puts up some big performances, Spoelstra may have to consider giving him a starting spot. He is also due for a contract extension and Herro rates himself highly and thinks that he deserves a max-deal. However, if the team are to offer him that, he will have to bring his best to the court for the Miami Heat next season.
Kyle Lowry had a lot of injury problems last season. He did impact the games whenever he took the court, but the franchise will be looking for more playing time from him going into the upcoming season. He is an elite player who is one of the few players on the team with championship experience. With him on the court, Jimmy Butler has the liberty to get going without worrying about organising the offensive unit. His main priority will be health, as if he can play more than 70 games, the Heat will be leading the race to once again finish on top of the East.
Victor Oladipo was one of the best young stars in the NBA a few years back. However, two serious injuries seriously impacted his career and he went from being a starter to a mere rotational player last season. A lot of that could change for Oladipo when he takes the court for the Miami Heat next season. The 30-year-old has worked hard throughout the offseason and is set to prove his ability to the world during the 2022-23 season. It was the first time in several years that Oldipo had a summer where he had the chance to work on his game rather than do rehab for the injury. This will help him massively as he will be set to get going when given the chance by the coach.
